Choosing the best quality laminate flooring in Chester

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for Chester residential and commercial rooms.

Chester people love nature, whether walking along the River Dee or visiting the Cheshire Plain. They like to have a natural feel to their homes with solid wood floors. Hardwood floors are beyond the budget of many so good quality laminate flooring is a luxury floor covering that is an alternative to real wood.

Thickness and durability

The thickness of the laminate board can affect its durability. Laminates are available between 6mm and 12mm thick. The cheapest 6mm laminate is not recommended except for rooms that are not used a lot. Marginally better is 7mm, but most 7mm laminates are not that durable.

Popular laminates are 8mm and 10mm. Some 8mm boards are as strong as 10mm boards, but the 8mm laminate could become damaged if laid on an uneven floor.

Any laminate between 10mm and 12mm should be strong and have high performance. The thicker 12mm is forgiving if not installed perfectly, but ideally, use a professional installer to install any type of laminate.

Thickness is not the only criterion for judging the durability of laminate flooring. A thinner laminate can be manufactured to make it stronger than some thicker laminates.

Laminates have an AC rating which specifies where they should be used. AC1 laminates are for low-traffic areas, whereas the highest AC5 rating is recommended for high-traffic areas and commercial use.

Laminate flooring has a clicklock system that makes it easy to install, but professional installation is recommended as poorly fitted laminates can easily be damaged.

Cost

Like most floor coverings, when buying laminate flooring, you generally get what you pay for. Budget laminates are not that strong and their patterns do not look realistic. Cheap laminate planks can warp and stain more easily.

More expensive laminates have realistic wood grain patterns. Some have embossed patterns that look like real wood grain. Expect a good quality laminate to last longer, resist stains, and be moisture and scratch resistant.

A more expensive laminate should come with a long warranty as the manufacturers are confident it will last. The warranty may be for less time if the floor is installed in commercial premises.

Underfloor heating

If you need laminate flooring to cover underfloor heated areas, make sure that the manufacturer rates it as suitable. You will also need the right underlay.

Waterproof laminates

Cheap laminates are not suitable for high moisture areas like bathrooms. Waterproof laminates are required and these must be expertly installed as badly fitted laminates can let water seep into the subfloor.

Looks

As well as choosing a grade of laminate that is durable and easy to maintain, you need laminate flooring that looks good. Most laminate flooring is printed with a pattern that resembles solid wood, ranging from light woods to darker ones. Better quality laminates use embossed printing to create an extremely realistic textured grain effect that makes laminate flooring in Chester a good alternative to solid wood.