When you are hunting around looking for the right choice of flooring for your home, you will hopefully end up at laminate flooring. It is tricky to find the right option of flooring right away, as some people go in without a plan and are blown away by the options put to them. Naturally, there will be people who will have their own preferences for their flooring, but some people may not have had their eyes opened to what engineered wood flooring, laminate flooring and vinyl flooring can do for you.
Is laminate flooring the right option going into 2020?
It is a well-known fact that there are a few people who choose to go for laminate flooring over the carpet or wooden flooring because of its convenience and a minimal amount of maintenance required. Solid wood flooring is still very good and definitely increases the value of your home due to its ability to last a lifetime, but laminate flooring is more convenient for a few people.
Of course, as we have discussed plenty of times, all of the flooring types sold at Flooring Direct have their own advantages and some disadvantages, and to be honest, it mostly depends on where you are looking to place your carpet.
Below, we will talk about the benefits of laminate flooring and explain why it is becoming increasingly popular as 2020 ticks around. We will also discuss other flooring options like carpet, vinyl flooring and wooden flooring, and by the end of this post, we will hopefully have helped you decide on the right flooring option for you.
What is laminate flooring?
What is laminate flooring and why is it so popular? We have already listed a few reasons but there are honestly so many benefits to installing laminate flooring in your home. If you’ve never heard of it before then you will want to sit back, read, and enjoy!
Laminate flooring is an alternative type of flooring to solid hardwood flooring which but often it comes at a more affordable price. You may well have encountered vinyl and laminate flooring many a time but not actually realised it was not wooden flooring. It can possess a stone effect. This type of laminate is often used in bathrooms as it can be water-resistant to spillages and pools of water, but obviously it cannot be doused in water.
Living rooms and bedrooms are also popular choices for laminated floors. A Scandanavian product, laminate flooring was first introduced in Sweden in 1977 but has been revolutionised since. It is safe to say, the laminate planks and tiles that are produced today are a world apart from 1977.
Since its introduction, UK companies, including Flooring Direct, have started stocking laminate floors due to its popularity. It has become increasingly popular for homeowners in the UK because of its convenience, its pretty style and the modernisation factor.
How is laminate flooring made?
Of course, you may be reluctant to purchase synthetic flooring types like vinyl flooring and laminate flooring unless you know what is in it. There are so many advantages to choosing laminate flooring, not least because it is cost-effective. It is cost-effective because of the way that it is made, as it arrives as various layers that are laminated together, which gives it its name.
The way that laminate floors are made enable the flooring to be styled and patterned at your request which is what makes them so popular. In most laminated planks and tiles, you will find the top layer is a resin layer, the HDF core, a printed decor layer, and then the joint that clicks them altogether. You probably wouldn’t even notice all this if you do not install the flooring yourself, and that is what makes it so realistic. But yes, this is how it comes.
The reason that laminate flooring has a decorative tile is that it allows customers and manufacturers to make it any way they like. If you wanted your flooring to look like tiles, it can do. If you wanted your flooring to look like solid hardwood flooring, it can. That is the beauty of both laminate and vinyl flooring.
Why is this type of flooring the most popular?
For many years, laminated floors have become increasingly popular. As we examine the trends going into 2020, it looks at though laminate floors are also here to stay.
Honestly, we could be here all day talking up the benefits of laminated floors but we won’t because we don’t want to bore you, we just want to point you in the right direction. If you have spent a lot of money on flooring (no flooring is cheap, just cheaper) then you will want to keep it clean and lean, and there is no better floor to do this apart from laminate flooring.
BUT, if you are going to clean your laminate floor then you need to make sure that you are using the right cleaning products for your laminated floors, otherwise, they could be damaged. Try not to use a wet mop on your flooring, it can only end in disaster.
Why is laminate better than other types of flooring?
It is suitable for almost every room in your house, even the bathroom which is where many people come unstuck. It is very similar to vinyl flooring in this regard, and this makes it much simpler for everybody. Its ability to withstand moisture, heavy footfall and some spillages is a key reason why it is so popular. Below are some other types of flooring that we offer at Flooring Direct, and when we describe these, you will see why laminate flooring is the most popular.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl floors are similar to laminate floors, but there is a difference. You’ve probably had vinyl floors or luxury vinyl tiles as a solution when you are looking around for cheaper alternatives for your floors, especially as it comes in so many different types. A key reason why many people choose vinyl flooring in their home is because of its longevity. Possessing a durable layer and a decorative layer to suit a certain pattern or style, customers can pick and choose exactly what type of patterned flooring they want.
With some of the vinyl flooring which is on offer at Flooring Direct, there is an extra foam layer, and this acts as an insulator, making it suitable for a colder climate. The reason we mention insulation is that this is a very important factor when building your new home, as it helps the environment and will drive down your heating bill costs, as well as reducing your carbon footprint. It will not come as a surprise that this is one of the main reasons why people choose vinyl flooring.
It is also a lot cheaper than solid wood flooring but does not possess the same advantages as laminated flooring does.
Carpets Online
You can browse our carpets online and order free samples to see exactly how we can fit out your home. Carpets are expensive and can be difficult to clean which is why we see many people opt for other types of flooring like vinyl, laminate and wood. Flooring Direct are able to offer carpets online for cheaper prices and you can even order free samples to ensure you are getting exactly what you wish for.
The only problem is that carpet does not always last. It tends to live in dining rooms and living rooms, meaning it receives a lot of heavy footfall. As mentioned earlier, it also can be difficult to clean and if you do have the chance to swap it out and can afford to, this may be the journey you choose.
What flooring is best for you?
Ultimately, the decision about which flooring is best for you lies with you. We cannot tell you which is the best flooring type, but we can guide you. You can check out our buying guides and also speak to us on the phone. When choosing the best type of flooring for you, you need to consider the number of people living in your home, the type of people living in your home, the rooms you are going to need to fit, and also whether or not you have pets.
Budget is also often a key factor in choosing your flooring. You may love the idea of wooden flooring and think it looks really nice, but you cannot always afford it. If this is the case, you are likely to navigate towards laminate flooring. Vinyl flooring or engineered wood floors could be other options for you to consider.
Although we would never tell you not to buy our products, if you have children and pets, then we suggest that you do stay away from carpets. We know how hard it can be to find flooring for your home or garden if you have pets and children, so looking for artificial grass could be your best option. What makes the decision difficult for you is that a carpet can also provide a softer landing for children and pets.
Think of the future
Whenever you are choosing your flooring, you need to think about your long-term future.
Ultimately, we would suggest that you do consider laminate flooring as your main flooring type heading into 2020. With how quickly technology is evolving, it does not look like laminate flooring will go out of fashion. Suppliers and manufacturers, as well as Flooring Direct, are always looking to improve the designs, style and modernisation of flooring, so it is definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Make sure you choose the right company for the job (Flooring Direct) and see how amazing it is in your new home. Find the right carpet fitters or flooring fitters (or DIY, if you think you can and have vinyl flooring) and you will relax.
Ring us on 0800 6444 581 to find out more.