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Adding natural elegance to your floor
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Laminate boards have today emerged as an alternative to wooden flooring. Available in several variations and styles, laminates create the impression of real wood at a considerably reduced cost and is easy to install and low on maintenance, writes T. Nandakumar.
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A variety of design and colour options is another major factor that adds to the appeal of laminate flooring. Popular finishes include woods such as cherry, oak, beech, maple, alder and pine.
Photo: S. Gopakumar
A good alternative: Laminate flooring is ideal for office spaces and living rooms and bedrooms in houses. –
Step into a room with a wooden flooring and you cannot but appreciate the warm, natural feel it exudes. Whether the decor is traditional or modern, a wooden floor adds elegance to the environs.
But a hardwood floor is high on installation and maintenance, it is not very durable either. It is also susceptible to scratching, fading and staining.
Laminate boards have today emerged as an alternative to wooden flooring. Available in several variations and styles, laminates create the impression of real wood at a considerably reduced cost.
Low cost
Laminate flooring is relatively simple to install and low on maintenance. Most manufacturers offer glue-less boards which slot together to give a near-perfect finish. The interlocking system ensures a seamless surface.
The durability of laminate flooring makes it superior to real wood flooring. Laminate boards are approximately 15 times stronger than hardwood. Other benefits of laminate flooring include water resistance and high UV resistance to prevent fading. Spills can be cleaned up with a mop or sponge. Laminated floors provide a warranty cover for a period up to 15 years.
Great variety
A variety of design and colour options is another major factor that adds to the appeal of laminate flooring. Popular finishes include woods such as cherry, oak, beech, maple, alder and pine. According to dealers, clients in Kerala largely prefer Malaysian wood finish. Stone designs like granite, marble or slate and traditional tile designs like terracotta, mosaic are also available. The finish can be chosen to be in synch with the furnishings and decor of a room.
According to R. Nagarajan, proprietor of Ayyappas Decofloor, Thiruvananthapuram, dealers in the Kronoloc range of imported laminate flooring, the easy installation and durability of laminated flooring have made it popular among designers, architects and owners of buildings.
Most brands of laminate flooring are designed to take heavy traffic inside residential buildings and offices. Laminate boards are constructed of various layers that are fused together.
The outer surface is an anti-abrasive overlay consisting of millions of aluminium oxide particles which act as a deterrent against scuffs, scratches and wear. This is fused with a decorative or design layer impregnated with melamine resin. The decorative layer comes in various colours and designs to suit individual preferences.
The third layer is the supportive core made of high-density fibre or particle board. According to Mr. Nagarajan, the High Density hardwood Fibreboard (HDF) used in the Kronoloc brand offers natural resistance to moisture and humidity.
Measurements
The laminate boards are available in 8mm and 12 mm thickness. A thicker core is preferred for high-traffic areas, as it is more stable and will sound more like real hardwood when walked on.
The bottom layer of the board is a balancing film to provide dimensional stability and water resistance. The locking profiles provided on the side of the board are water tight joints.
Most laminate boards are resistant to household chemicals, cigarette burns, high impact and scratches.
The nonporous surface does not allow dust to settle easily.
Another advantage of laminate flooring is that it can be laid directly on top of the existing surface such as marble, tile, linoleum, vinyl or plain concrete. The glue-less click system makes laying easy. Installation is best left to trained workers. Accessories include decorative skirting and profiles that come in matching colours.
In the rare event of damage, a panel can be easily removed and replaced with a new one.
“Laminate flooring is ideal for office spaces and living rooms and bedrooms in houses where elegance matters. It is not recommended for bathrooms and kitchens where water spillage and accumulation is unavoidable,” says Mr. Nagarajan. Laminated wooden flooring costs Rs.100 to rs.140 per square feet.
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