If you’re looking for new, amazing flooring solutions for your New Zealand property, you may have heard of laminate floors before. These innovative floors are made with a process that makes them durable, beautiful and perfect for any space.
Before you purchase any type of flooring, it’s always smart to understand how it is made and what you need to do to take care of it after its installation. Proper maintenance can prevent unsightly, potentially hazardous damages.
So, what exactly is laminate flooring, and what do you need to do to maintain it once it’s installed?
What Is Laminate Flooring And How Is It Made?
Laminate flooring is a type of flooring option that’s created through a multi-layered lamination process, hence its name. Laminate floors are made up of several layers, usually four layers, and each layer contributes to this solution’s strong and aesthetically-pleasing qualities.
These layers are:
The Bottom Layer. The very bottom layer of your laminate flooring provides a good, strong foundation for the rest of the floor. The bottom layer also provides water resistance to protect the rest of the layers from moisture that could damage the strength and appearance of the flooring.
The Core Layer. The core of the flooring is made of high-density wood fibres, which are combined with other substances, usually substances like resin or wax, to increase stability and durability. These materials are pressed together to create the core planks of laminate floors.
The Visual Layer. On top of the main core of the flooring, a visual layer is placed to improve the appearance of the boards. This visual layer is printed with very high-quality images to give the appearance of natural wood or other materials. This is one major advantage that laminate flooring has because you can choose a colour and look that’s perfect for you.
The Top Layer. Finally, the top layer is added to seal the deal. The top coat is often made of resin and cellulose to fully protect the rest of the layers. This coat adds damage resistance to the laminate floors and prevents the visual layer from being scratched away through use.
That four-layer flooring is usually installed over an underlayment, or a composite of materials, to further protect the floors from moisture. Great underlayment can also offer sound-absorbing noise control and better insulation for your property.
How Do I Protect And Maintain My Laminate Floor?
Have you decided to invest in some fantastic laminate flooring for your property? Your work doesn’t end here – you’ll need to know how to maintain your floors to keep them beautiful and strong for a long time. Neglecting your floors can cause them to become damaged, and you may need to replace them sooner rather than later.
Luckily, floor maintenance really isn’t that hard. Some smart choices, occasional cleaning and taking care of messes when they happen can go a long way.
Follow these easy tips to keep your laminate floors beautiful:
- Follow Any Manufacturer’s Instructions. If your floor manufacturer or installer gave you any tips for floor maintenance, listen to them! They’re the experts and they know what they’re talking about. If you have questions, be sure to ask them.
- Don’t Use Harsh Cleaning Tools. Avoid harsh cleaning tools that could scratch your floors, such as anything with tough bristles or steel wool.
- Clean Up Stains As Soon As Possible. If something spills that could result in a stain, clean it up as soon as you can to avoid lasting stains.
- Gently Mop Your Floors Every Two Months Or So. You’ll want to mop your laminate floors every two months or so to keep them beautiful. Avoid using too much water. A damp microfibre mop is a good choice for laminate flooring.
- Don’t Use Products That Aren’t Meant For Laminate. Cleaning chemicals that aren’t specifically meant for laminate flooring can damage your floors or leave unsightly streaks. Instead, you can use products specifically meant for laminate flooring, or you can make your own cleaning solution. You can put a teaspoon of uncoloured, unscented dish cleaning liquid into a gallon of hot water to create a gentle cleaning solution.
- Put Protective Pads Under Your Furniture. Get protective furniture pads and put them under the legs of your furniture. This will prevent your furniture from scratching your flooring when it’s moved.
- Keep Your Pet’s Nails Trimmed. If you have any pets that freely move around your house, be sure you keep their claws neatly trimmed. This will prevent them from accidentally scratching your floors, and it’s better for their health.
How You Can Get Incredible Flooring For Your New Zealand Property
We welcome you to consult us at Colthurst Flooring if you are interested in wonderful laminate flooring for your home. We have a lovely selection of these floors at good prices. We also have plenty of other flooring types for you to look through.
We want you to be informed and happy before you make your decision, so if you have any more questions about this type of floor, we’d be glad to speak to you. Call us at 09 988 9630 or visit our site to reach us.
Enjoy gorgeous, reliable flooring solutions with Colthurst Flooring.