As long as you follow proper underlayment insulation requirements, you can use laminate flooring in kitchens and even bathrooms thanks to its water-resistant qualities. You can even install laminate flooring on the walls if it strikes your fancy.
The layers are fused together with to psi pounds per square inch of pressure. The majority of laminate for residential use is DPL. High-pressure laminate HPL flooring includes a fifth layer that consists of a kraft paper treated with a resin that gives it stiffness and strength, making it suitable for commercial use.
The layers are fused at a significantly higher pressure of psi or more, resulting in a harder product that resists moisture, heat, wear, dents, and scratches. High-pressure laminate is typically used in high-traffic commercial settings. Laminate flooring varies in thickness between 7mm and 12mm. Thicker laminate flooring covers uneven areas in your subfloor as it resists bending, and it also feels more like a real hardwood floor.
Thicker laminate also does a better job of absorbing noise than thinner flooring. Keep in mind that some manufacturers will include the underlayment in the listed thickness of their flooring while others may not.
The Abrasion Criteria AC rating is invaluable when determining the durability of a laminate flooring product. Most residential laminate flooring will have a rating of AC3 or AC4. AC3 means the flooring is suitable for use in busy areas, including kitchens and foyers. AC4 is tough enough for use in bathrooms and kitchens and is also ideal for commercial use. AC1 is only strong enough to handle light use, such as in a bedroom, while AC2 is appropriate for moderate foot traffic.
The goal of the texture and finish of laminate flooring is to look as much like real hardwood flooring as possible. Engineered hardwood flooring does the best job of mimicking natural hardwood flooring because it uses actual hardwood as its topmost layer. Thus, it possesses the actual wood grain and texture that makes hardwood so attractive.
Thanks to modern technology, designers can use high-definition printing and embossing techniques to replicate natural wood and stone. Similar to traditional hardwood flooring, laminate flooring comes in a variety of finishes, including walnut, cherry, hickory, chestnut, pine, maple, and oak, to name a few.
Most laminate flooring planks are about 4 feet long and range in width from narrow planks that are only 3 inches wide to wider planks up to 7 inches wide or more. Keep in mind that wider planks are notoriously more challenging to install than narrower planks. They are harder to snap together with end joints that resist staying flush with each other.
Use narrower planks to help open up smaller rooms, while wider planks are better suited for larger spaces and open floor plans. Laminate flooring is perfect for anyone with a do-it-yourself attitude.
This product is thin, lightweight, and easy to work with. Laminate flooring uses a snap-and-lock installation process, which eliminates the need for nails or glue. As long as the subfloor is smooth and clean, most DIYers can update their flooring in just one day. Remember, you will need to install underlayment over the subfloor before laying down the laminate flooring unless the flooring itself includes an underlayment layer.
If you elect to install the flooring yourself, you will need a chop saw and a table saw on hand to make the necessary cuts for installation. Laminate flooring products include features that improve their durability, allowing you to use them in more than just the bedrooms and the living areas of your home.
Scratch-resistant coatings make laminate a good choice for high-traffic areas of your home as well. Some laminate flooring includes additional layers and special locking designs that waterproofs the flooring for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
This list of top picks includes laminate flooring products best suited for different rooms in the home. By the way, you can buy Shaw and most laminate brands from flooring stores and online for well below MSRP price. Installation is extra too, unless you're DIY. Repel is the most popular Shaw laminate collection. There are 9 lines, each 12mm thick with several colors of flooring. The collection gets its name because it is engineered for enhanced moisture resistance.
The Shaw Anthem Plus Collection is easily mistaken for hardwood. The appearance is genuine, and the embossed surface looks very much like real wood. There are 12 colors, mostly neutral Summer Seattle and cool tones Boulder Sky. Colors are medium-light Wyoming Sky to medium-dark East Virginia. Woodgrain is very prominent. Best used: This Shaw laminate flooring is a good fit for homes with traditional, country and rustic style. The 7"x50" planks provide a classic, hearty look to any room in your home.
Like all the Repel laminate floor lines, it is backed by a year warranty. Best used: This is a versatile style, but the best fit is homes in modern-contemporary style.
As noted, it looks best with neutral and cool colors — and might clash with warm wood tones like cherry and red oak. Both show heavy character in the wood images such as knots, stains and heavy grain. The Plus line is slightly narrower but an inch longer at 52".
Best used: These lines are ideal for beach houses like Cape Cods, rustic get-aways and your primary residence if your decorating scheme is relaxed and casual. The Shaw Repel Carriage House laminate line has the warmest, darkest colors. The look is very rustic. Composed Gold is a honey-brown hand-sawn image and the lightest of this line. Variety Mocha is dark and handsome. Best used: Traditional homes with a rustic flare, cabins and mancaves.
As the name implies, the two Mixed Width lines include planks of different dimensions: 3. This gives the floor unique visual appeal. This line also comes with a 5-year light commercial warranty not offered on Repel laminate flooring. Shaw Repel flooring is made in the US. These lines are produced in China. Shaw Mixed Width Laminate Flooring. Best used: Manor Ridge and Castle Ridge are elegant floors best suited to homes with traditional and classic design.
The rich wood look are quite versatile and can be at home in contemporary and rustic settings too. The Shaw Mt. Everest and Matterhorn laminates boast planks nearly 79" long and a robust 8" wide.
They're 10mm thick. Both lines are produced in Germany. They also have a year residential warranty and 5-year light commercial warranty. Shaw Long Board Laminate Flooring. Everest collection is all hickory. Natural Hickory is pale and a bit rosy. Classic Hickory is gray brown. Color Match. See It. Make it real. See our floors transform YOUR room. Samples Available.
Create a color palette from a photo and match to flooring. Refine your results with filter options. Availability Samples In Stock.
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