What is Laminate Flooring?

September 29, 2012 by

Laminate is a type of flooring made with multiple layers of material. Laminate flooring has many advantages: it is durable, easy to care for, environmentally-friendly, and less expensive than other flooring materials. Laminate has changed a great deal over time and now offers options that look like stone or tile instead of just the old hardwood floor styles. Laminate flooring in the Orlando area is a smart and stylish choice for any home or business.

There are four layers in laminate flooring: a top layer made of melamine plastic, a core board that improves moisture resistance, a print layer that gives the laminate its appearance, and another melamine plastic layer for protection. This combination of layers gives the laminate durability and stain resistance. The creation process gives the laminate its close resemblance to stone, hardwood, and ceramic. The four layers are assembled in large sheets on an assembly line.

After the layers are stacked on top of each other, they go through a pressure treatment process. The stacked layers are pressed together at temperatures of up to 400 degrees and nearly 600 pounds per each square inch of pressure. This process lasts for 20 to 30 seconds.

After they cool down, the boards are cut into sections called planks and groove edges are cut into the planks using profiling saws. The cuts from these saws are what enable the flooring to lock together. Then the planks are inspected to make sure that their color, finish, texture, size, and interlocking capability are correct before they are sent out to retailers.

There are a lot of good qualities to laminate flooring. The combination of the variety of styles and low maintenance make it ideal flooring for your home. If you want laminate flooring in Orlando, A.B. Floors is the best in the business. We have installed laminate flooring in Orlando homes for over 10 years and our technicians are licensed, trained, and certified. Call us at 407-513-4787 and speak with one of our flooring experts today.

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How to Clean Laminate Flooring

September 28, 2012 by

Laminate flooring is inexpensive and available in a wide variety of styles, which makes it an excellent flooring choice.  If you are considering laminate flooring in Orlando, you may wonder exactly what is involved in cleaning it and if it is time-consuming.  Laminate is very easy to clean; however, there are a few points to remember about caring for laminate.  Follow these tips and your laminate flooring will look beautiful with minimal effort for years.

  • Dust mop the floor on a regular basis using a micro fiber dust mop.  Brooms and vacuums leave behind small particles that a micro fiber mop will catch.  Debris from sand or rocks cause small scratches that, over time, cause laminate to look dull.  Micro fiber dust mops help make sure this doesn’t happen.  It is also a good idea to use welcome mats or throw rugs outside door entrances to catch debris before it enters your home.
  • For a more in-depth cleaning a lightly dampened (nearly dry) mop is best.  It is important to remember that damp does not mean soaking wet.  If a laminate floor gets too wet, the flooring pieces will swell and suffer water damage.  To clean laminate, mix ¼ cup of vinegar and 32 ounces of water.  Spray this over the floor using a clean spray bottle and damp mop the floor.  You may also use Bona Laminate floor cleaner.  Never use polish or wax on a laminate floor.
  • To spot clean stains such as fruit juice, blood, beer, or wine, use warm water.  Tougher stains such as permanent marker or paint may require alcohol or nail polish remover dabbed on a clean, neutral-colored cloth.  Be sure to wipe spills up immediately before the liquid can seep into the cracks and cause the floor to become weak and damaged.

If you are ready to get laminate flooring in Orlando, A.B. Floors can help.  We are a fully licensed and insured business and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.  Our team of experts is trained and certified in working with laminate flooring.  Orlando residents trust A.B. Floors for all their flooring needs and our clients are our number one priority.  Call us today at 407-513-4787 and speak with one of our knowledgeable laminate flooring professionals.

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