Laminate floors are becoming the the number one pick for those who love the look of expensive wood but are worried about the traffic that could cause damage to expensive floors. Laminate flooring is a combination of layers of wood and melamine plastic and mimics the texture and appearance of wood and other surfaces.
This is cheaper compared to getting real wooden floors and is much more durable. What you actually see on the floor is a high quality picture of the wood or stone that laminate floors imitate. It is seamlessly covered in very strong clear plastic. They are available in planks, tiles or strips and are easily installed using glue.
Recently, technology has allowed the installation of the laminate floors without glue which makes the installation time twice as fast. This type of flooring may be installed directly on top of your old floors so you do not get hassled by taking off your old one. With the glue-less type, you can even bring the floor with you if ever you move out.
To get started, you should consider getting your laminate floors at the best price. As mentioned, they are relatively cheaper than the real wood or stone floors but we can still save up if we know where to look for the best and the lowest prices. Basic oak strip flooring costs about ten to thirteen dollars per square foot while a laminate floor cost just around seven to eleven dollars per square foot installed.
Some could even go as low as three to six dollars per square foot. For real hardwood or stone, the more exotic the variety is, the higher the price gets. However, laminate prices almost always stay within a small range since the only difference you are paying for are the photographs your floor will reflect.
Laminate flooring prices does not just stop with the cost of the tiles but also covers the installation expenses required. If you plan to have it installed by a professional then you will be looking at fees a bit higher than when you are going to install it by yourself. Rates may differ depending on the labor rates in your area. The price also depends on the thickness, type and quality of the flooring.
The thicker the flooring is, the higher the price goes. Flooring that has more amounts of melamine are more resistant to moisture. More melamine content also increases the price. Extra charges on the pattern or designs that you choose are also applicable when talking about the cost. In general, you really have to look for the design, style, and type of flooring that will fit your budget.
Surfing the internet shops and directly going to retail stores will help you find the lowest and the best prices for laminate flooring. You may also want to wait for a time when the flooring are in excess or in low demands since a lot of stores would pull down prices during these events.
