Laminate Kitchen Flooring

Laminate is a great material to choose for your kitchen floor. Cheaper than solid or engineered hardwoods, water and scratch resistant laminate has what it takes to warm the heart without burning a hole in your pocket. Installing a laminate floor is a breeze and many DIY enthusiasts choose it primarily for the pleasure of working with their hands.

Laminate floors came in a wide variety of colors and patterns including many different hardwood species like Maple, Oak, and Pine. Laminate flooring is also available in patterns resembling stone, brick, and tiles.

What is Laminate Flooring?

• Laminate flooring has four layers – base, core, image layer and a wear layer.
• The base – is a supportive layer over which the rest of the floor is constructed. Some laminate floors also have a glued backing for easy installation.
• The Core – The core of a laminate floor is made of wood chips or fiber board impregnated with melamine resin.
• The image layer – also called the appliqué layer, it is a photographic reproduction of any object – wood, stone or tile. With modern image editing techniques a laminate floor can look better than a natural wood floor!
• The wear layer – this is the transparent, protective layer over the image layer. Made of melamine resin the quality of this layer determines the life of the laminate floor. Some manufacturers provide 30 year warranties for the wear layer. The wear layer makes the laminate floor moisture and scratch resistant.

Laminate Flooring in the Kitchen

The kitchen floor is exposed to frequent liquid spills. Falling objects are another threat to the kitchen floor. A good laminate floor will not allow water to seep in and will resist objects that fall on it. The result is a great looking floor that lasts for decades. Installation of the laminate floor in the kitchen is an easy affair. You can do it yourself or ask a professional to help. A professional can complete the installation of the laminate flooring in an average sized kitchen with in a day.

In the hands of a good installer Laminate flooring produces excellent results that rival those of solid hardwood and stone in visual appeal, durability, and ease of installation.

Laminate Kitchen Flooring Care

Regular mopping and an occasional wet wipe is sufficient to clean a laminate kitchen floor. Water may seep in between the joints of a laminate floor. If the margins of the laminate board are not glued properly the water will get below the wear layer. Once the water reaches the core of the laminate floor – wood chips and fibers absorb water and swell, damaging the laminate floor. It is therefore advisable to opt for the best quality laminate floor and to wipe any spills immediately. Installing a vapor barrier below the laminate floor will ensure that moisture does not seep in from below.

The laminate kitchen floor is a great idea that is easy on the pocket and pleasing to the eye. A wide range of colors and patterns are available making it easy to find a floor that goes well with your countertop, backsplash and cabinets. You may choose a gluedown floor or one with a click and lock system. Either type of flooring if installed properly and well cared for will continue to adorn your kitchen for years to come. You can experience the best quality laminate floors at any store of Contempo Floor Coverings and choose the one best suited to your tastes, budget and décor scheme.

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.