Laminate/vinyl plank flooring
The Advantages Of Laminate/Vinyl Plank Flooring
People have always been fascinated and attracted to the beauty and durability of wooden flooring. Different types of wood have varying grains and colors. They have different wear characteristics. In short, they supply each home with a unique interior ambiance and a warmth that until recently was difficult to imitate. However, natural wood has some drawbacks. It can be costly to purchase (depending on the type of wood selected), it can be expensive to install, and maintenance can be a chore.
However, in recent years the arrival of more and more advanced composite material such as laminates – and the advent of vinyl flooring planks that imitate the natural look and feel of natural wood has put the beauty of wooden floor planking within reach of many more homeowners than has been the case in the past.
Laminate/vinyl plank flooring has a number of advantages over the natural material.
Firstly there is the issue of durability. One of the reasons that natural hardwood floors are so expensive to maintain is that they are prone to scratching and deep scuff marks. In homes where pets are present where young children are always on the move the damage to natural hardwood floors can be extensive – and costly to remedy when refinishing is required. Laminate/vinyl plank flooring on the other hand can stand up to sustained use even in those areas of the home that experience extremely heavy traffic.
Natural hardwood floors are also prone to damage from water and in certain instances (especially when not sealed professionally) damage by insects. Vinyl flooring is much more resistant to both these types of damage – and is (for all intents and purposes) completely waterproof when installed correctly. Laminate flooring can be damaged by water and exposure will lead to warping and gaps forming so itis not suitable for areas such as bathrooms where there is a high level of moisture present.
Homeowners are also attracted to both laminate and vinyl flooring because they are easy to install. Both can be done as a relatively simple DIY project. The ‘tongue and groove’ construction of each laminate plank makes them easy to ‘click’ together, and vinyl can easily be cut to size. There are vinyl types designed just to be applied to a prepared floor through ‘peel and stick’ functionality.
Both laminate and vinyl flooring have numerous advantages over traditional hardwood planking. Both are attractive and require less maintenance. If you search for a perfect flooring solution, a closer look at these two options is well worth the effort.
Some restrictions may apply. Cannot be combined with any other orders. Not available on previous jobs. Limited time offer
