Budget-friendly laminate flooring provides an upscale look

Laminate mimics the appearance of more costly materials like hardwood, ceramic, and stone. This practical tile or wood-look flooring can be installed in any room of the house as well as in the basement. Vet owned and operated Factory Flooring Direct, founded in 2004, offers a wide selection of laminate along with other types of flooring like carpet, vinyl, and hardwood. We give free in-home estimates, and we provide any help that is needed throughout your flooring project.

Laminate is a wood product, and therefore, it is always warm underfoot. It’s resilient against fading, scratches, and stains. Thickness ranges from 6 mm to 12 mm. The thickest brands most closely duplicate the performance of the natural materials they imitate. This flooring is both child and pet friendly since it is durable and simple to clean. Laminate has four layers:

• Backing - Acts as the foundation for the plank or tile; resists water and protects both the flooring and the subfloor from daily wear and tear
• Core - Bolsters stability offered by the backing layer; also helps with water resistance and protection from daily wear and tear; usually made of an ultra-durable fiberboard
• Design - A technically advanced photograph of a wood species like oak, natural stone like marble, or ceramic; texture can be added for increased authenticity
• Wear - Thicker is better since this clear coat layer protects the design layer from abrasion and fading; determines the durability of the product

Generally, laminate flooring floats over the subfloor, rather than being attached to it. It is joined together with a click and lock system. Because perfectly tight seams are hard tocreate, and because the core is made of fiberboard, standard laminate is not waterproof. The flooring, however, is not damaged by liquid spills if they are cleaned up immediately. Also, this floor covering will stand up to moisture when installed with a moisture barrier underlayment. Some manufacturers replace the fiberboard core with a plastic core to create waterproof laminate flooring. The lifespan for any type of laminate flooring varies from 10 to 30 years. The longevity of a particular brand depends on:

• The quality of the flooring.
• The quality of the installation.
• How well the floor is maintained.
• The amount of traffic the floor receives.

Factory Flooring Direct serves Tooele, Salt Lake City, Park City, Draper, Bountiful, and nearby Utah communities. Visit our showroom in Lake Point, give us a call, or use our online form to schedule a mobile showroom appointment. The flooring professionals on our team can answer all of your flooring questions, and our experienced installers can install any type of floor covering. We back our work with a labor warranty.