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The Benefits of Laminate Flooring
Author: Erin Ryan

It is not surprising that laminate flooring is an ever increasing popular choice for home interiors. It has the beauty and style of a hardwood floor, but with other countless benefits.

Laminate floors are widely favoured by people, because above all else, they are extremely practical. Unlike other forms of flooring it is scratch, stain and fade resistant, in some cases even burn resistant. The reason for its durability is a feature called a wear layer, which is a resin-based coating on the individual boards of laminate floors which is specifically designed to resist many forms of abrasion. It is typically made up of several coats of aluminium oxide or melamine. The added protection of flooring means that for families with small children and pets it’s a clear winner. Due to recent modifications of laminate flooring, there are moisture resistant choices so you can now install it into your bathroom and kitchen. There are numerous laminate flooring suppliers ( http://www.ukcarpetsdirect.com/ ) that now offer moisture resistant flooring for homes.

Another attractive feature of laminate flooring is its low maintenance. Once installed Laminate flooring maintains its ‘brand new’ look for years to come, and only requires some light cleaning. Unlike hardwood flooring, it does not need buffing or waxing giving you optimum benefits without disadvantages. No other flooring is easy to care for than laminate floors! For everyday cleaning, simply vacuum the floor or sweep to remove loose dirt and debris. Do not use soap, wax, household cleaners or any other product on laminate floors. This will leave a film on your floor and cause it to attract more dirt and leave streaks and footprints. The best way to clean your laminate floors is to use ammonia and water, or any other window cleaning product. First sweep or vacuum loose dirt, then mist the floor with your cleaner and buff it up using tea towel or cloth.

There are even health benefits associated with this choice of flooring, especially for people with allergies. Laminate can be a more hygienic choice for your home, as unlike carpets (which can add to allergy symptoms); it does not collect dust mites, food crumbs, or human and animal residues. Therefore providing you with a cleaner and healthier living space. In cases of extreme allergies, the removal of carpets has been recommended by medical professionals.

Also, you may not have thought it, but your choice of flooring can also add to the value of your home. In today’s market, potential home buyers are looking for a hardwood floor opposed to carpeted flooring. So if you are looking to sell your home, laminate flooring could in fact be a valuable investment. Alternatively should you wish to move home, the option of taking your flooring with you is also available with laminate flooring.

If you do decide to invest in your home, laminate flooring is a remarkably cheaper option than other flooring choices. Laminate flooring is far cheaper than both carpet and hardwood. Currently in the flooring market, retailers are offering anything up to a 15 year guarantee with laminate packs.