Publications
Partners
Laminated wood flooring has become a popular flooring option with homeowners because of its low cost and relative ease of installation. But it's not without it's limitations. We examine a few of the problems so you can make an intelligent decision on using it in your home.
Scratches
The most common problem with laminate floors is their tendency to scratch easily due to the fact that the surface of the flooring is a plastic laminate printed with a wood grain image.
In a home with young children or pets, scratch marks can be an everyday occurrence and very few suppliers offer a solution for this problem. For obvious scratches that mar the surface, you can try using a coloured wax pencil or crayon to touch up the surface. But the only permanent solution is to remove and replace the damaged boards. For deeper scratches or chips, use wood filler in a matching colour to touch up the damaged area.
Warping
Laminate flooring is manufactured by building up layers of wood composite and then applying a laminate image to the surface. Unfortunately, wood composites generally absorb moisture, and this can result in warping or worse – a mould problem. The only remedy for this problem is to replace the damaged board, but ultimately the problem will re-occur if the flooring is in a position where it is subject to high humidity or moisture.
If you want to install laminate wood flooring in a bathroom or laundry, it is far better to spend a little more for flooring that has been given a special water resistant treatment.
General care and maintenance:
• It is essential to wipe up any spills immediately with an absorbent cloth to avoid moisture getting into the flooring and causing damage.
• In areas of high traffic, place rugs or mats with rubber backing to prevent wear or scratching of the surface.
• Fit rubber or felt mats to the bottom of chairs, especially in a dining room or kitchen, to prevent scratching.
• Clean laminate floors with a slightly damp (almost dry) mop or sponge and a mild detergent or laminate cleaner and stay away from abrasive cleaners in any form as these will easily scratch the surface.
• Rather than sweeping a laminate floor, use a soft cloth mop to gently wipe away any dust or dirt.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's talented DIY and Decor expert. For more tips, visit www.Home-Dzine.co.za
Do you have laminated floors in your home? Share some of your maintenance secrets with our readers in the box below.
Scratches
The most common problem with laminate floors is their tendency to scratch easily due to the fact that the surface of the flooring is a plastic laminate printed with a wood grain image.
In a home with young children or pets, scratch marks can be an everyday occurrence and very few suppliers offer a solution for this problem. For obvious scratches that mar the surface, you can try using a coloured wax pencil or crayon to touch up the surface. But the only permanent solution is to remove and replace the damaged boards. For deeper scratches or chips, use wood filler in a matching colour to touch up the damaged area.
Warping
Laminate flooring is manufactured by building up layers of wood composite and then applying a laminate image to the surface. Unfortunately, wood composites generally absorb moisture, and this can result in warping or worse – a mould problem. The only remedy for this problem is to replace the damaged board, but ultimately the problem will re-occur if the flooring is in a position where it is subject to high humidity or moisture.
If you want to install laminate wood flooring in a bathroom or laundry, it is far better to spend a little more for flooring that has been given a special water resistant treatment.
General care and maintenance:
• It is essential to wipe up any spills immediately with an absorbent cloth to avoid moisture getting into the flooring and causing damage.
• In areas of high traffic, place rugs or mats with rubber backing to prevent wear or scratching of the surface.
• Fit rubber or felt mats to the bottom of chairs, especially in a dining room or kitchen, to prevent scratching.
• Clean laminate floors with a slightly damp (almost dry) mop or sponge and a mild detergent or laminate cleaner and stay away from abrasive cleaners in any form as these will easily scratch the surface.
• Rather than sweeping a laminate floor, use a soft cloth mop to gently wipe away any dust or dirt.
Janice Anderssen is Women24's talented DIY and Decor expert. For more tips, visit www.Home-Dzine.co.za
Do you have laminated floors in your home? Share some of your maintenance secrets with our readers in the box below.
