Laminate flooring is a popular flooring option in Australia because it can give you that luxury hardwood look, without the expensive price tag of natural timber floors. Essentially, laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product, and these layers are fused together through a lamination process. It can be made to look like different kinds of timber, but can also simulate stone or tiles, as a photographic applique layer is used under a clear protective layer, and that photo can replicate different types of flooring.

Why choose laminate?

Laminate is often associated with being cheap and daggy, having a really plastic look and feel about it. But laminate flooring has come a long way in recent years and has grown significantly in popularity because it does offer the beauty of natural timber floors, combined with the practicality and durability of flooring technology. As a flooring option, it is also easy to install and maintain, has the advantage of costing less, and it is durable. So, really, why wouldn’t you choose laminate?

How do I choose the right laminate?

Choosing the right laminate flooring for your home or business may seem like an overwhelming task considering the range of options available in the Australian market, including different textures, colours, grains, plank sizes, and price points! But, with these 4 questions in mind, you should be able to narrow your options down pretty quickly.

1. What type of joining system is used?

Laminate flooring is laid floating, not glued, but if you look for options with a simple click system, your install job should be easy and stress-free. So if you don’t know anything about joining systems yet, ask our flooring specialists - we can talk you through it all!

2. What about a warranty?

Make sure you check if a warranty is offered with the product before you buy it. A warranty will give you peace of mind, but you’ll want to check how long you will be covered for, and what circumstances might make it void so that you fully understand what you’re covered for.

3. How moisture resistant is the product?

The moisture resistance of a laminate floor is determined by the quality and moisture resistance of the HDF core layer. The harder the HDF core, the higher the quality of the laminate flooring - and you want it to be moisture resistant! There are even some high quality brands that are now doing a waterproof product, like Premium Floors.

4. Is the product reputable?

At Kawana Flooring Warehouse, we only stock flooring from reputable businesses, but if you have any questions then we’d love to help. A few questions you might want to ask include - how long has the product been sold in Australia? What reviews can you find out about the brand and the products? And how long has the company been around for?

After that, it really then comes down to personal taste in terms of the style you want to go for.

What about installing laminate flooring?

Laminate floors are relatively easy to install, even as a DIY project for a homeowner. Your flooring is usually packaged as a number of tongue and groove planks which can be clicked into one another (going back to that question about joining systems), floating over the sub-floor. Improper installation can result in peaking (where the adjacent boards form a V shape projecting from the floor), or gaps, so if you don’t feel comfortable taking on installation yourself, chat to our team and we’ll be more than happy to help you out!

How do I care for laminate flooring?

Once installed, your laminate flooring is pretty easy to maintain. It is important to keep your laminate floor clean, as dust, dirt and sand particles can scratch the surface in high-traffic areas, and you should also try to keep it relatively dry, as moisture can make the planks warp. So, just wipe up any spills quickly, and don’t use too much water when mopping.

If you use adhesive felt pads on your furniture legs, that can also go a long way to prevent scratching.

Still have some questions about laminate flooring? Our team is here to help in any way we can. Just visit our showroom in Warana, or give us a ring today!