Parquet Flooring VS Laminate Flooring

Flooring has a direct impact on resale value of your house and its interior decoration. There is a wide array of flooring materials that you can use to give your home a touch of elegance and style. However, you need to make an informed decision to get the expected results. Today, we look at various facts and attributes about Parquet and Laminate flooring material that you should know when remodeling your home.

Parquet Flooring
Materials
This flooring is made from a composition of wooden materials that are combined using advanced equipments before being cut into wooden blocks that are very similar to conventional tiles. Some of the common wooden materials that are used include oak, walnut, pine, cherry as well as mahogany which is pretty expensive. There are also manufacturing companies that have invested in modern equipment that they use to make this flooring from bamboo. It is important to note that your choice of material will have direct impact on overall look and feel of floor in your apartment as well as the cost.

Installation
Due to the complex installation procedures involved, it is recommendable to hire a professional flooring contractor who has vast skills and experience. This is because the wooden pieces and tiles have to be cut, glued and placed in patterns. Herringbone is one of the most common patterns in Singapore as evident from the large number of homeowners and real estate developers that prefer it. After installation, the tiles have to be sanded down and varnished in a bid to give them that elegant and shiny look that you have been yearning for.

Care and Maintenance
It is imperative to treat parquet floors just like the traditional wooden floors to derive maximum utility from it. Based on the fact wood is the main raw material, you should never use abrasive cleaning reagents that can corrode or affect the material negatively. In addition, consider vacuuming it frequently to get rid of debris such as dust and pet hair. Keep it dry and wipe up spills quickly to prevent rotting and formation of molds. Be sure to consult the manufacturer for full list of cleaning reagents that you should use.

Advantages
One of the supreme benefits of investing in parquet flooring is that it is extremely affordable despite the fact that the tiles look luxurious and expensive. The installation cost is also pretty low as compared to tiles and ceramic floors.

Cons
The only con attached to this kind of flooring is that you must take good care of it to promote its durability and overall appearance. For example, the tiles can scratch easily and are prone to fade when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. Some of the regular maintenance practices that should be carried out include polishing, sanding and re-sealing.

Laminate Flooring
This is a relatively new flooring design that has generated massive popularity. Here is a snippet on some of its features and unique characteristics.

Installation
The installation process is pretty easy as compared to the parquet tiles. Use of new innovation in manufacturing process has made it possible for manufacturers to make a sheet of underlayment material that eases the installation process. Once the material is rolled down, the planks and tiles can be snapped into each other without seeking any professional expertise. Since all pieces or planks are interlocked and joined using adhesive. Hence, it can expand and contract due to changes in temperature and pressure without snapping or buckling the sub-floor. Check the specific installation guidelines provided the manufacturer to get the best results.

Care & Maintenance
The laminate planks have protective wear layer that is very effective in protecting materials from spills and stains. You only need to regularly clean, sweep or vacuum it to keep it looking fabulous.

Advantages
Versatility:
The modern laminate flooring material can be simulated to look at natural hardwood materials. For instance, by using modern equipments, manufacturers are able to come up give the wooden planks a natural stone appearance.

Convenience:
This kind of flooring can be installed in virtually any existing floor in your home. This means that you will not need to remove old flooring materials. The only thing you need to do is put in place a moisture barrier to protect the wooden material from rotting as well as to counter growth of molds.

Durability:
Laminate flooring can withstand most outdoor agents that are known to discolor other flooring materials. As mentioned earlier, it has a proactive layer that prevents formation of smudges and stains. This makes it an ideal choice for areas that experience high traffic.

Safety & Health:
The flooring material is quite resistant to growth of bacteria and molds. It is also possible to treat it with special anti-bacteria coatings to make it even safer for both humans and pets.

Cons
One of the major drawbacks is laminate floor cannot be refinished. Instead, the worn out layer should be replaced with a new one after some time. You need to take great care when dragging items on the floor as the surface is prone to scratching. In addition, when you walk on the material, it produces a hollow sound that makes it look unauthentic. However, this issue can be reduced by investing in dampened under-laying material.

Clearly, both types of flooring materials have some advantages and a few drawbacks. It is important to take time and consider each of these factors to make informed decision. Other factors that you should consider include;

Cost:
The cost is depending on the quality of material, installation procedures to be used and the total area to be covered. Be sure to compare the costs and formulate a comprehensive budget to avoid financial problems later on.

Durability:
Despite the fact that most manufacturing companies and providers offer a warranty, it is prudent to choose flooring material that can last for long without demanding numerous repairs and maintenance.

Existing Interior Decoration:
Choose flooring material that blends or complements the existing interior decorations in your house.

Bottom line:
No matter the kind of flooring material that you choose to install, ensure that the installation process is done professionally to get utmost value for your money and time.