Our flooring choices impact not only aesthetics but also our comfort, safety, and overall well-being. As we continually strive to enhance our living spaces, the world of flooring evolves to meet our changing needs, and laminate flooring has emerged as an innovative solution. It offers the appearance of natural materials like hardwood or stone while providing durability and affordability for our fast-paced lives. Mitch and Julie Taylor, owners of Rosie on the House Certified Bram Flooring, like laminate flooring’s eco-friendly aspects and versatile design options. It’s a top choice for those seeking to transform their living spaces.
Why is laminate becoming so popular?
The technology used to manufacture laminate flooring has drastically improved over the last couple of years. Laminate floor products have become thicker and considerably more durable than the big box laminate products of yesteryear. The surfaces have greater scuff and scratch resistance, but of course, as with most products, there is always a Good, Better, and Best option. Mitch and Julie Taylor like a laminate flooring product called Revwood manufactured by Mohawk Flooring. This line of flooring rivals the better and even some of the best laminates that used to be fabricated outside the USA. The current popularity is attributed to the fact that it is made entirely in the USA and their product appeals to folks who want a greener flooring option.
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The laminates core is wood from the Loblolly Pine that grows throughout the lower half of the United States in a variety of soils. This fast-growing pine comes with a lot of natural resin. Under heat and pressure, this resin acts as the laminating “glue” for the flooring product. One other sought-after quality is that it is low in VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). VOCs are the chemicals that give your home that “new carpet smell” when first installed. Products with a lower VOC are the healthier choice as they have fewer chemicals to affect indoor air quality.
Laminates differ from Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT), another popular floor covering, as LVT is made from polymer resins and a synthetic product.
Cleaning & Maintenance Considerations
Maintenance of laminate flooring varies based on the quality of the flooring. The top-performing products from Revwood have an extra coating, allowing steam cleaning that sanitizes the floor. LVT’s cannot withstand this level of cleaning. You will need to check with your flooring provider regarding cleaning as it relates to the product’s warranty.
When it is time to select the flooring product that works well for your home, there are questions your flooring contractor should be asking you, such as:
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What kind of wear and tear will your floor be subject to? Will you live in the home year-round?
- Will it be vacant for long periods? This question applies to our Arizona Snowbirds.
- Do you have children? Their toys can damage some flooring choices. If that is the case, you may want to consider carpeting. If you have dogs, well, the thin layers of an engineered wood surface may not hold up to their nails. Stop and think about how you live in your home and what you will expect of your floor.
- How do you prefer to maintain and clean your floor? Warranties are product specific. Floors must be cleaned accordingly.
Warranty vs Lifestyle
Ask about the care protocols for the type of flooring you are considering. LVT is different than Laminate, and not all laminates are created equal. The same questions should be asked if you are investigating engineered wood flooring, carpet types, or ceramic tile.
Warranty requirements for carpeting
Julie gives us an example of a new “wrinkle-free” carpet product. There is a second backing that helps the carpet keep its stretch over time. Mitch said “cleaning the carpet is only part of the warranty equation”. The climate in your home can also affect a warranties validity. If you are gone for weeks or months, be sure to keep your thermostat set at 85 degrees or lower, as the heat can damage the backing and void a warranty.
Most carpet warranties require you to professionally clean with a steam extraction method on their product every six months to two years, depending on usage (think seldom used guest bedroom vs a family room in a home with three kids). They also recommend vacuuming daily … but let’s be real, that likely doesn’t happen in every household!
If a flooring product fails, an adjuster will likely take an onsite look at the floor. This visual inspection is usually sufficient to determine whether a product failure is due to a manufacturing issue or neglect.
Replacing flooring is an investment. Do your homework to find the flooring that will stand up to your family’s lifestyle and has a quality warranty.
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CONTENT PARTNER | Bram Flooring
Founder Mitch Taylor has been in the flooring industry since 1993. His goal with Bram Flooring is to focus on serving the customer by providing a flooring education, providing honest information about their flooring purchases to help them make the best decisions for their individual needs/desires. It is Bram Flooring’s mission to be the greater Phoenix area’s most reliable resource for commercial & residential flooring products & installation services. Staffed by a fair & honest sales team carefully selected to treat every customer like the partner they are, Bram Flooring is proud to be respected & trusted by our community. Learn more.
PODCAST
Laminate flooring has been around for years. Now a new generation of this flooring is seeing a strong resurgence. Mitch and Julie Taylor of Rosie Certified Bram Flooring discuss the improvements in durability, waterproofing and easier to maintain among other features. Plus the trends in flooring that customers are demanding the most.
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PHOTO CREDIT
- Bram Flooring
- Shutterstock
