Choosing The Right Laminate Flooring For Your Home- Quality Testing

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Momma Told Me: Cheap doesn't have to look 'cheap'.

 As an adult, one of the more exciting milestones of 'growing up' is finally moving into a home that you can truly call your home. No more using push pins to hang photos for fear your deposit will shrink, and the right to choose any paint color or flooring your heart desires. Of course, moving into your first home has a lot of financial obstacles, and you certainly won't be able to afford every luxury upfront. Choosing laminate flooring can easily give you the flexibility within your budget, while still offering a polished wood-like finish you long for. Laminate flooring is also a great option for young couples with pets and a growing family. Not only can a high quality laminate floor withstand a large amount of abuse through several years, but the upfront cost will be easier to overlook when the time comes to invest in a more permanent flooring for that next stage of your life.

Because there are so many makers and price ranges of laminate flooring, it sometimes gets a 'bad wrap' among consumers for looking cheap or falling apart. The truth is, buying a mid-high range laminate flooring kit will still save you money over tile, carpet, and real wood alternatives, while holding up as long as 5-7 years under moderate traffic. What many flooring consumers don't realize is that the quality of these floors vary. Laminate flooring is often easy to install at home, with little to no experience, but an attentive installation is key to ensuring a great fit between these interlocking boards. A high quality laminate board will have up to 5 layers of importance; thermal base for stability and level, high density core board for indent resistance, adhesive layer, thin veneer (this is actually the 'flooring' you will see in your home), and a quality seal/gloss to add shine and protect your laminate flooring from scuffs, stains, and wear.

What many people don't quite realize is that the laminate flooring market is saturated with competitive manufacturers. Because of this, large flooring retailers have developed a need to test and classify the quality of laminate flooring for consumers. Think of this as a quality grade for your money spent. The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring, or the EPLF, has specifically devised a series of tests configurated to measure the resistance and wear of individual laminate flooring types. These tests simulate environments from casual traffic to extreme heat and scuffing with state of the art technology. Through these tests it is determined that laminate flooring is a viable option in modern flooring, that can withstand high resistance to scratching and even burning.

Today nearly all major flooring manufacturers use the results of these findings to adhere to testing and further develop the quality of their flooring. This system of quality measurement in laminate flooring has become known as the AC rating. This rating was designed to be a useful guide for consumers of all experience, to ensure the best possible flooring is being purchased for the individual consumer's budget and needs. All laminate flooring found at Flooring America stores has been through this rigorous testing to ensure that you're getting the best flooring on the market, no matter your budget. If you'd like to learn more about this durable and cost effective flooring option, visit FlooringAmerica.com to learn more and find a location near you.

What Daughter Says: Know the quality of your laminate flooring for affordable beauty that lasts.