The Benefits Of Laminate Wood Flooring

If you're looking to beautify your home with some gorgeous new flooring, but you don't have the money for expensive hardwood flooring, you should consider the benefits of laminate wood flooring. Laminate wood flooring is an inexpensive alternative to it's hardwood cousin, that has been beautifying homes for the last several years. Readily available in any home improvement store, easy to install, and often indistinguishable from the real thing; laminate wood flooring is perfect for those on a tight redecorating budget.

What It Is

Laminate wood flooring, although a popular alternative to hardwood, is often mistaken by those who aren't quite sure what it is as being "cheap". Far from it! This amazing alternative to hardwood flooring is often indistinguishable from the real deal - even by professionals at first glance.

Laminate wood flooring is compressed wood flooring, with a picture of real wood grain laminated onto it's top surface. This surface is then extensively treated and coated, in order to prevent peeling and wear. It is this excessive coating procedure that makes laminate wood flooring so durable. Unlike real hardwood flooring, laminate wood is virtually indestructible, resisting scratches and stains that would destroy a hardwood floor.

Laminate wood flooring is perfect for high-traffic homes with children or pets, due to it's incredibly durable surface. And the best part is, if part of your laminate floor does happen to get damaged, you can quickly, easily, and inexpensively replace the damaged section on your own. Laminate wood panels are carried by almost every home improvement and hardware store in the country.

Caring For Wood Flooring

One of the best things about laminate wood flooring, is that it is so easy to care for. Hard-wood flooring can be very difficult to take care of, with regular buffing and waxing necessary to help it keep its shine. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, needs only be swept and mopped like any other smooth flooring surface. Occasionally, if you like, you can wax your laminate floors; but this usually isn't necessary to keep a bright shine on its surface.

You also do not have to be near as careful about not scratching your laminate wood flooring, like you do with hardwood flooring. Hardwood flooring is so soft, you have to take extra care when moving furniture across its surface. Not so with laminate flooring. Its extra coated surface resists most scratches.

There are a great many benefits to choosing laminate wood flooring for you home. Talk to your local flooring expert, and see if laminate wood flooring is right for you.