Definition of Laminate Floors

For floor covering there is a wide range of options and one of them is laminate flooring. It is a synthetic material that imitates the wood and that presents several layers in its composition (a protector, one of design, a central made of plastic resin and a support to prevent humidity). This choice brings elegance, simplicity and comfort to the space.

Guidelines for installation

Adequate preparation is necessary for its placement. The planks must first be removed from the boxes and left out of their original packaging to acclimate (this process takes approximately 72 hours). The layer of I usually of the room and baseboards have to be removed. Of course, you have to measure the room and take into account that the sheets tend to expand slightly in the days following their placement. To hide the joints of the sheets, they must be arranged perpendicular to the windows of the room, since in this way the joints are concealed.

The planks are then cut with a saw. Next, the planks are assembled through the tabs that they incorporate and the two joined pieces are pressed down to keep them together.

Guidelines for proper maintenance

Laminate floors require a certain maintenance. In this sense, you must remove the dust regularly, for which you can use a microfiber mop, a broom with disposable dust cloths or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush. With these procedures it is possible to avoid scratches on the floor caused by accumulated waste. For this type of floor it is advisable not to use cleaning systems that produce scratches, such as conventional brooms.

If a liquid is spilled on the floor, it must be disposed of immediately, otherwise it will can damage the protective layer of the floor (to absorb excess liquid you can use a cloth gentle). Cleaning the floor should be done from the back of the room outwards, since in this way there are no footprints on the wet floor and footprints are avoided. The specialists in this material recommend cleaning it thoroughly every two months and for this you can mix a quarter cup of vinegar with a liter of Water (The mixture is placed in a spray container and the solution in small areas).

Advantages and disadvantages

These types of floors are generally a good price and can be installed on most floors. It is a resistant material and easy to clean. However, laminate floors do not absorb sound and produce a hollow noise when walked on and, on the other hand, their installation It is humid areas can cause deformation of the soil.

Photo: Fotolia - Sandor Kacso