What’s the difference between high and low-quality laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor surface that’s designed to look like genuine wood or stone.

It’s good value, easy for a professional to install, low maintenance and offers resistance to scratches. But to maximise these benefits, it’s important to invest in a good quality laminate floor.

The difference between high- and low-quality laminate flooring can be significant. Here, we’ll explain how to recognise this difference.

In this article, we’ll break down what makes a good quality laminate floor, and the characteristics that show up a substandard laminate surface.

Thickness

You’ll find that high-quality laminate flooring is in the region of 8-12 mm thick, while lower-quality laminate tends to be in the region of 6-8 mm thick.

Thicker laminate accommodates a larger core layer. Not only does this mean that high-quality floors feel stronger underfoot, but they are also better for your body. An insufficient substrate - that is, the core layer in the middle of the laminate - offers less stability, and can put more pressure on the joints.

The thicker the laminate, the more durability and protection your flooring will offer. Thicker laminate also mimics the look of wood or stone more realistically, and appearance is what we’ll explore next.

Appearance

You can expect high-quality laminate flooring to look better. That means it can copy the natural element of wood or stone, and give your floor a more stylish look.

It comes down to the resolution of the photographic prints on the surface of the laminate. The higher the resolution, the more realistic features such as wood grain patterns or tile texture can be reproduced. Low-quality laminate flooring looks less authentic.

The devil is in the detail - the surface layer of high-quality laminate exhibits the finer details of wood or stone textures. If you didn’t know the flooring was laminate already, you may ask yourself if it is real or not. Conversely, low-quality laminate may be obvious, especially when viewed from a close proximity.

Slip resistance

We touched on stability briefly when discussing thickness. The slip resistance and grip offered by a laminate surface can be a big indication of quality.

It’s not only the thickness that is a factor in slip resistance. The surface texture also comes into play. Texture offers grip, and helps to prevent accidents caused by slipping. The surface layer of premium quality laminate is often textured or treated to provide superior traction.

Don’t underestimate the importance of slip resistance in laminate flooring. Not only does it improve the experience of walking around your home, but it also makes your home safer. If you have young children, be aware that cheaper, low-quality laminate flooring with a smooth and slippery surface may pose more hazards of slips and falls.

Traction is especially important when designing bathrooms and kitchens, where hazards are typically more prevalent.

Durability

How durable your laminate flooring is, and how long it will last, is a key differentiator between a low- and high-quality product.

Several construction elements are a factor in durability. High-quality laminate flooring offers resistance against scratches, as well as impacts and moisture damage. You can expect premium laminate to have high-wear coatings to prevent scratches and scuffs.

When it comes to the backing, thickness offers greater stability that can add to durability. And the better the sealing, the more moisture resistance - this prevents any swelling or decay from spilled fluids, as well as mopping.

Thinner, low-quality laminate flooring lacks the characteristics outlined above. This means it can be; more likely to pick up scratches; let in moisture that can result in swelling and bubbling; and buckle under the weight of furniture, which creates gaps in the structure of the laminate. All these issues lead to a more rapid degradation and inferior performance compared to higher-quality laminate flooring.

Ask the experts

An experienced, reputable provider of laminate flooring should be able to guide you in options for a range of budgets.

As part of the selection process, a sales representative can demonstrate to you exactly why a product is at a certain price point. They’ll be able to show you premium features, and describe the benefits you will receive from higher-quality laminate.

When considering your budget, you may want to focus on higher-quality laminate flooring in areas of your home with a higher volume of foot traffic. Also remember the importance of slip resistance in rooms that present more hazards, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Laminate flooring can be cost-effective compared to other types of flooring, but invest wisely in a premium product, in order to safeguard your investment. Make an outlay in higher-quality laminate flooring, and you can expect a better product in every aspect. The floor will feel better, look better, last for longer, and may be made using more sustainable manufacturing processes, too.

Is thicker vinyl flooring the right choice?

Vinyl flooring in Cheshire has become a popular choice for homeowners and business owners alike due to its affordability, durability, and wide range of colours and patterns. It comes in various thicknesses, prompting many individuals to wonder if thicker vinyl is better.

Made from PVC and other materials, vinyl flooring often imitates the look of natural wood or stone while being water-resistant and easy to clean. Luxury vinyl tile manufacturers such as Karndean produce thick vinyl flooring that may come at a higher cost but comes with an extended guarantee period, making it a worthwhile long-term investment.

Thick vinyl has several advantages with minimal disadvantages. While it does cost more than thinner options, quality thick vinyl lasts longer. Professional installation is recommended since it requires more intricate installation methods.

One significant advantage of thicker vinyl is its wear layer that makes it resistant to scratches and dents without requiring any special maintenance procedures. It can be installed in any room including bathrooms and kitchens, provided the manufacturer's installation instructions are followed closely.

Although thicker vinyl costs more than thinner alternatives and needs professional installation services, investing in this option is well worth considering for both commercial properties as well as residential homes. To explore your full range of options regarding thick vinyl flooring choices locally available, visit your supplier of domestic or commercial flooring in Cheshire today. Ask to borrow samples of thick vinyl tiles to see how they look and feel in your room.

Can water-damaged carpets be salvaged?

The UK has experienced several floods in 2023, and there may be more to come. If a carpet becomes water-logged, in many cases it might be best to throw it away. However, if your carpet is particularly important, you’ll want to know if it can be saved. In this blog, we’re taking a look at whether this is possible.

There are three primary classifications of water: clean water, such as fresh rainwater or from a burst pipe; grey water, which is dirty but without sewage like drain water; and black water, containing human sewage waste. Unfortunately, carpets contaminated with grey or black water cannot be salvaged and must be disposed of. Only carpets soaked with clean water have a chance of being returned to their former glory.

The first step is to act quickly since mould or mildew can develop on the carpet within 24 to 48 hours after exposure to moisture. Drying out the carpet rapidly is essential. Remove furniture and any other items covering the floor then use a carpet extractor found in cleaning machines designed for carpets to suck up saturated fluids. Alternatively, a machine that shampoos carpets should have suction capabilities.

Press towels onto any remaining wet spots on the surface until all excess fluid has been removed. The next stage involves hiring blowers specifically designed for drying out carpets.

Once thoroughly dried, lift the carpet and remove any underlay which will need replacing. Then, clean the carpet before you can start using the room again.

High-quality carpets in Chester homes provide warmth and cosiness to any space. As long as they're regularly cleaned and protected from excessive moisture, your carpet should last many years.

Luxury vinyl tiles help keep kitchens warm

Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) for kitchens, as noted by experts at Livingetc.

Luxury vinyl tiles offer a warmer feel compared to traditional stone or tile floor coverings in kitchens unless underfloor heating is installed. Architect Seth Ballard has been quoted as saying:

"A wild card that is starting to make its way onto even our highest end projects is LVT.”

Ballard recommends waterproof vinyl flooring, as this is able to handle both spillages and pet messes.

LVT consists of five or more strong layers made from high-quality materials compressed using high pressure at high temperatures. A strong backing layer is incorporated into every tile to form a solid strong floor covering.

Maintenance of LVT is easy, with regular quick mopping without excessive water use being required. Stains are easily avoided, provided spills are promptly cleaned up.

Vinyl flooring is compatible with underfloor heating, making it ideal for achieving warmth and cosiness within the kitchen area. LVT won't warp or crack when installed over underfloor heating. For an extra warmth boost, heat insulation layers can be installed beneath vinyl tiles.

Even without underfloor heating and insulation, luxury vinyl tiles retain more heat compared to stone or tile. Carpets may be soft and warm, but are not practical in kitchens as they don't handle spills, stains and water well.

Overall, choosing luxury vinyl tile in North Wales during renovation work is seen as an excellent idea for those seeking warm kitchen spaces capable of handling the region’s cold winter weather conditions.

Why are carpet tiles ideal for teenage bedrooms?

In a recent design project, interior designer Ghislaine Viñas opted for wall-to-wall carpet tiles on the floor instead of hard flooring which many parents prefer due to its easy maintenance.

Viñas uses wall-to-wall carpets to provide an aesthetically pleasing and continuous block of colour with no lines or intersections, making it an ideal choice for small bedrooms.

Recognizing teenagers' notorious messiness, Viñas chose carpet tiles over large carpets or rugs as they are more practical. She suggests buying extra tiles so that if there are any spillages, you can replace the dirty tile with a new one effortlessly.

Viñas also acknowledged how cluttered teenage bedrooms can become. Therefore, she placed emphasis on using plenty of open and closed shelving units to display favourite items while keeping things organized. The room's built-in storage units and desk space were designed first before constructing the rest of the area around them. Although this creates an irregular shape in the room, fitting carpet tiles around fitted furniture poses no issue as they can be easily trimmed to fit.

The bedroom walls display bright modern art and stylised portraits of the bedroom’s teenage occupants. These feature a colour palette of orange, yellows and browns that contrast with the bright turquoise coloured carpet tiles.

Carpet tiles in North Wales and Chester are typically found in commercial locations as they are cost effective and easy to maintain. Ghislaine Viñas has demonstrated that carpet tiles are versatile enough even for contemporary-style rooms like teenage bedrooms.