There is nothing worse than poor quality laminate, particularly when it comes to cleaning.
If you are going to upgrade your flooring, then do not choose the cheapest laminate on the market. If you do nothing else, first talk to an experienced Tampa flooring contractor about your choices. They will make it perfectly clear why the cheap stuff is just that – cheap.
While you may want to save some money, the end result of putting down lousy laminate is not going to make you happy. The cheaper it is, the harder it is to clean no matter what anyone tells you. The cheap stuff is virtually impossible to do anything with, short of cursing the day you installed it. Vinegar, ammonia, bleach, specially formulated cleaners for laminate, plain water, cold water, warm water, dish soap, special soap, mop and glo, Swiffer sweeper, and the list goes on, do not work. You are only left with a floor that smears everything.
While the directions for cleaning a laminate floor are simple enough, always wipe in the direction the boards are laid. Laminate can and does offers a certain degree of elegance to your home, which is good for resale value, but for the effort, get decent flooring or you will be pulling your hair out trying to entertain guests at your house. Get 12 mm laminate, as it also helps to reduce noise in your home, and since it is wider, it tends to be easier to install yourself.
With a good laminate, the click-lock stuff, you get a virtually foolproof install. If you are hesitant to try this, talk to a Clearwater flooring specialist about hiring it out or getting some installation tips. It is actually possible to install at least 300 feet of durable laminate over a two-day period.
When the floor is done, you have a nice floor that won’t scratch (unless you really work at it), won’t dent and won’t fade. The nice thing about laminate is that most manufacturers are pretty sure you won’t do their product any harm, so they tend to offer an unheard of bonus – a ten year wear-layer guarantee (the top layer you walk on).
Now with the good stuff, you won’t have a problem cleaning it. You do not need to polish it. It is stain resistant to a high degree, and should you manage to get a stain, you only need water and mild detergent to get rid of it. This, hands down, beats having hardwood in your home, but then it’s entirely up to you which you prefer and what you don’t mind cleaning.
Dean Dupre is with Champion Tile, a Clearwater Flooring, Tampa Flooring, and tile installation company. To learn more, visit Champtile.com.
