It is time to choose what brand of laminate flooring you will be using. There are numerous brands of laminate flooring available in the market. Although they all have the same attributes, each brand still differs from another in terms of levels of attributes. They all have different levels of qualities. It will be hard to decide if they all seem to look the same. iFloor, the top discount flooring online store, shares with us some tips on how to choose the right laminate flooring brand.
Choosing will be easy if you know each brands difference from another. The idea is to compare each one you see and pick out the best. Here are the factors you need to check and compare:
Material used The material used on a laminate flooring can be differentiated by weight. The average weight of the material ranges from 700 to 880 kilogram per square meter. The heavier the material is the stronger and higher quality is the laminate flooring. In specialty stores, there are laminate flooring brands which uses materials weighing up to 950 kilograms per square meter.
Quality of the surface The quality of the laminate floorings surface is important because it determines the durability. You can check the quality by finding out the surface rating of a laminate flooring brand. It is determined using the rating system called AC. Regular laminate flooring brands rate AC2 or AC3. Just like in material weight, the higher the number, the better surface quality. Some specialty stores have brands with AC4 surface rating.
Texture of the flooring The texture of a laminate flooring brand determines its resemblance to pure and real hardwood. Although laminate flooring is designed to be smooth, the more grain you feel, the better its imitation to real wood. Determine the texture by feeling the surface with your palms. Real wood has rougher grain texture.
Inclusion of a backing Laminate flooring needs underlayment for the subfloor. Some brands already have backing attached to the laminate flooring; some are sold separately with the underlayment. Choose a brand which already has backing ready for installation. This will help you save time, money, and effort.
Quality of locking system You have to find test the locking system of a laminate flooring brand. A poor locking system means lower product quality. You can test this by combining two pieces using its locking system and try to pull them off from each other by your forefinger and thumb. If they come off easily, look for another brand.
Pricing of the product Do not be deceived by very affordable laminate flooring. Too much affordability may mean that the materials used were also cheap. Do not be afraid to spend a little but not too much.
When purchasing laminate flooring, remember these factors to consider. This will help you in picking out the best brand for your home. Visit iFloor for a wide selection of quality laminate flooring.