Laminate wood flooring looks beautiful, is inexpensive, and easy to maintain. It is resistant to stains and scratches, ideal for busy homes with children and pets. Laminate flooring is available in finishes resembling natural hardwood species like oak, walnut, hickory, maple, cherry, etc. Furthermore, there are even some that have the appearance of stone and tile. Laminate flooring is available in a wide variety of styles to match any decor.

CONSTRUCTION

laminate constructionThere are four basic layers to laminate flooring:

  1. A wear layer protects the laminate from staining, fading, surface moisture, and wear. 
  2. A graphic layer with an image of natural hardwood, ceramic tile, or stone.
  3. A core layer consists of a thick, dense fiberboard.
  4. The base layer stabilizes the product.

 

CARE

laminate care‍We recommend cleaning daily to remove dust, dirt, and other debris for regular maintenance. A dust mop or vacuum is all that is needed. However, if you use a vacuum, remove the beater bar or use a hard surface attachment so you do not scratch and damage the laminate flooring surface. 

We do not advise wet mopping or steam cleaning your laminate flooring because moisture could become trapped between the flooring and the subfloor. As a result, mold may grow, or the subfloor may rot. You want to use products made especially for laminate flooring. We recommend Flooraid+. Flooraid+ is safe on laminate or any other rigid surface flooring and will not dull or etch the surface. In fact, Flooraid+ is gentle enough to use daily without leaving any residue behind. This environmentally friendly biodegradable cleaner is non-toxic and safe for homes with pets and children. It is pre-mixed and ready to use in an easy-to-use spray bottle. Spray a small area and wipe with a microfiber mop. No rinsing is necessary! 

DAMAGE

laminate damageThe most effective way to deal with damage is to avoid it altogether. We recommend placing walk-off mats and area rugs at main entrances and high-traffic areas. Another useful idea to discourage scratching is to place protective pads under furniture legs. 

There are scratch kits available if you end up with some minor scratching. However, with dark-colored laminate, you can use a sharpie on the scratch and wipe the excess off with a clean white cloth with a bit of acetone, like a nail polish remover. If you have a light-colored laminate wood flooring, wipe with just acetone. Just make sure to wipe it off immediately and not let the liquid sit. 

If you have significant scratching, it will be necessary to replace the laminate plank by disassembling the floor down to the damaged plank. Then, replace the plank and reassemble the floor. Sometimes that option isn't practical, so you will need to cut out the damaged plank and glue in a replacement. Either way, this is a job best left to a professional. 

LAMINATE REFINISHING

laminate wood flooringOf course, refinishing laminate flooring isn't even a thing! Laminate planks are factory-finished and do not require any refinishing. In fact, applying lacquers, waxes, or other refinishing products may damage planks beyond repair.

Laminate flooring is an exceptional option for your home. Stop by one of our flooring stores today to select from our assortment of laminate flooring. Our professional installers will ensure a seamless installation with a gorgeous outcome you will adore.