Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Should I Buy Formica Laminate Flooring?

09.18.2019 by Amanda Hartley //

A reader forwarded this video on to us and asked what we thought of Formica laminate flooring and whether or not he should buy Formica Laminate Flooring.

Clearly, buyers remorse is something to keep an eye out for when looking at flooring. While it can be changed, it will not likely happen without a fair amount of time, expense and of course…extra hassle.

According to the video’s description, it seems that a flooring salesman had sold them something without fully disclosing what all one needs to consider when wanting to buy Formica laminate flooring.

Like most products out there, we know of people who are both satisfied and dissatisfied with their floors from Formica and every type of laminate flooring in between.  The above video isn’t in the best light or quality, so it is hard to tell exactly what is going on with that floor.  Perhaps it was installed incorrectly, maybe that batch was flawed, it is impossible for me to tell.

I have heard some great things about Formica Laminate flooring and personally, I love the beveled look they give to each one of the boards for that real wood flooring look.  But that aside I think it’s more important to take a moment to mention a few key facts about picking out ANY laminate flooring.

Should I Buy Formica Laminate Flooring?

#1 – Don’t expect the flooring to look consistently like the little piece you see as a sample. There may be a large or darker grain pattern.  If it is distressed looking, some boards may be more or less distressed than others.  A laminate flooring’s goal is to look like real wood (or tile) and in order to help achieve that they print it with these variations.  That is the beauty of natural hardwood flooring, that is why it is being imitated.

#2 – Test how scratch resistant it is before installing it in your home! It is very simple, no matter what the manufacturers warranty happens to be, give it a try anyway. Do the key test: take a sample of the flooring and place it on the floor. Then hold your keys out at shoulder height and drop them onto the board.  Now pick up your keys and the sample. Inspect the board for scratches and/or dents.  If you live in a home with kids and dogs go for the board that withstands the key test!

#3 – Dark colors and shiny finishes are hard to keep clean. Darker boards show everything light colored so if you have a white dog or cat, you will see their hair and will probably need to sweep daily.  Shiny finishes show smudges.  Especially those caused by bare feet, so if seeing those smudge marks will bother you don’t picky a glossy surface.

#4 – All boards are not created equally. The thicker the board the better it resists dents. Look for a board thickness of at least 7mm.  The core of laminate boards are made out of MDF (medium density fiberboard) or HDF (high density fiberboard).  High Density boards can take a beating better than medium density. So, once again if you have kids and pets or you drop a lot of stuff, get a laminate with a thicker high density fiberboard.

When it comes to any major purchase if you do your research you will get more bang for your buck. These are just four quick tips on what to look for when buying laminate flooring. Stick to these guidelines and you will be happier with your laminate flooring in the long run.

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Featured, Laminate Tags // dream home laminate floors, Formica Laminate Flooring, mannington laminate, mannington laminate flooring, quick step laminate flooring, shaw laminates, Should I Buy Formica Laminate Flooring, wilsonart flooring

Laying Laminate Flooring On Stairs

03.22.2010 by Amanda Hartley //

Today Cindy writes:

Dear Home Makeover Diva, can I install laminate flooring on my stairs?

Cindy, yes you can lay laminate flooring on your stairs.  I know many readers get tired of me saying this, but you just have to follow the manufacturers recommendations for the specifics. The basics of laying laminate flooring on stairs are that you have to glue it down instead of letting it be a floating floor.  Most often the manufacturer has a specific glue they recommend or a type of construction strength adhesive. Either way both the riser and the step will have to be glued to be secured.  And you won’t be using any type of underlayment or foam pad when you glue the laminate down. So if your laminate has the pad attached, you will need to peel it off each piece.

Laminate Flooring On Stairs

Another thing to look out for is that you will not want to use an overlapping stairnose transition piece. This means you will have to cut down the stairnose transition if overlapping is the only kind available to make it into a flush mount, otherwise you will have a trip hazard.  Even though all of this sounds like adding more work to an otherwise do it yourself friendly project, it is still possible.  Just make sure you read the directions thoroughly and understand what you are getting yourself into before the project starts!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Categories // Flooring, Laminate Tags // laminate flooring on stairs, Laying Laminate Flooring On Stairs, mannington laminate flooring, quick step laminate flooring, wilsonart laminate flooring

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