Why Laminate Sheets for Home Decor?

One of the most affordable ways to refurbish your home is through the use of  laminate sheets. These are available in a variety of shades and patterns with wooden textures or designer prints that can be customized. High pressure laminates are considered to be one of the most durable decorative surface materials and help renovate living spaces into a plush, classy and modern urban space.

Following are some of the advantages of using laminate sheets to help you choose better.

Firstly, laminate sheets guarantee good quality products as finest quality logs are sent to companies that manufacture sheets.  Secondly, laminates add to the overall strength of the product. In modern day flush doors, which are not cut out of solid wood, but manufactured from a variety of materials ranging from cardboard to scrap-wood, laminates are the best products that can be used to ensure durability. Hence, laminate sheets raise the standard of the finished goods.  Another worth mentioning quality of laminates available today is that they are fire-retardant. Special chemical treatment is applied to these laminates which delays temperature rise, for them to be effectively used in kitchens & other high traffic areas like cinemas.

Now let us have a look at how laminates enhance interiors.

Laminates are commonly used to make furniture pieces such as beds, sofas, tables etc. They are a popular choice because of their aesthetic appeal, economical nature and easy availability. Like in bedrooms, laminates are used as wall highlights that serve the purpose of creating a partition which is functional and attractive at the same time. Other areas where laminates are applied are in wall shelves in bathrooms, kitchen, and bookshelves. Like it is seen in kitchen cabinets, where plywood is used with decorative laminates.

Hence, these are some qualities that make laminate sheets worth a buy.

Preparation for Installation of Laminates

Installing laminates for flooring is a big task. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional, it is better to know and understand common problems that may occur. You can avoid some problems if you know what to look for and how to properly handles the laminate sheets.

Always check the sub-floors as they are typically cement or concrete and develop weakness over time. If you place the laminate sheets on uneven and weak sub-floor, the new floor will be compromised, damage the laminate locking system, creak and create micro gaps in the new floor. Use a level to see how flat the floor is. If there are gaps larger than 1/8", then you may need self-levelling mortar to level the surface. Any areas that peak higher than 1/8" will need to be lowered to create an even surface. Wooden floors need to be sanded down and concrete floor will need grinding.

Cheap laminate flooring has a higher chance of being defective, so always choose a quality material. Purchase approximately 15% more laminates than you expect will be needed.

Install a proper underlayment of a thin, hard layer of cement board, foam or wood. It protects the floor from moisture and prevents warping and buckling. Plywood underlayment is easy to install and usually cheap.

Remember to monitor the temperature of the laminates. If the flooring has been left outside or in a cold atmosphere is fully contracted. If you install the laminate sheets while it is cold, it will later cause cracks and humps in the floor. Let the floor warm up overnight before installing.

Do not forget to inspect each piece of the laminate and follow the manufacturer's installation directions. Leave a small amount of space around edges of the room where you are installation the flooring, else the floor may warp.