Over the past few years laminate floors have really started to become popular, especially in homes with children. There are a number of reasons for this. One, laminate flooring is less expensive than traditional hardwood flooring. Two, it is very easy to clean and maintain. For couples with children, laminate flooring is generally a much better choice than hardwood.
Most laminate flooring is tongue and groove, meaning there is no glue or nailing, each plank simply locks together. This makes installation a breeze and it also means it will be easier to remove the floor should the need arise. Not all laminate floors are glueless, but it is worth the extra money to save time and effort. Here are some of the more common laminate floor manufacturers: Pergo, Wilsonart, Mannington, Mohawk, Shaw, Quick-Step, Armstrong, and Alloc.
You may ask how the look of laminate flooring compares to that of real hardwood. Good question. Laminate floor manufacturers use high rnd, computerized technology to create realistic wood designs in each plank. The top wear layer is very durable and easy to maintain. Laminate flooring is also impervious to most stains, spills, burns and it is highly scratch resistant.
Care of laminate floors is also easy. Usually all you need is a dry mop or vacuum to keep them looking new. You don't need or want to use soaps, abrasives, polishes, wax, or one step floor cleaners on your laminate. You also want to make sure not to slide furniture across your floor, laminate is tough but a sofa leg will gouge your floor. It doesn't hurt to put furniture pads on the legs of sofas, tables or anything else that could scratch your floor.
As with any wood flooring some maintenance is required, but overall laminate wood flooring is easier to care for and will last longer than most other types of hardwood flooring.