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Laminate and Humidity

Humidity levels are usually affected by season changes. Laminate floors will expand with high levels of humidity and contract with lower moisture levels. During high humid times, the floor may look crowned, and during dry cold weather, laminate might shrink, causing cracks between each plan.  The best way to protect your flooring is by installing a humidity control.

Floating vs Glue Down

If you are debating between a floating floor and a glue down here are some things to consider. Floating Floors are often laid on top of an underlayment. There is no adhesive needed. This is can be removed easily and without special equipment.

For high traffic areas and commercial spaces glue down is preferred. It provides a sturdier surface. The adhesive can keep the flooring in place and from buckling. It is tougher to remove and may need special equipment.

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2019 Vinyl Trends

Vinyl flooring has come a long way since the 1980’s when it was getting confused for linoleum. Now vinyl can look like wood or stone. Vinyl now has texture such as handscraped, wirebrushed and distressed. These textures are no is no longer just for hardwood. Some of the big colors we will see in 2019 are still the extreme lights and the extra darks such as Espresso and Blonde.  We will be seeing a lot more warmer tones. As we enter 2019 we are excited to see what the year holds for vinyl.

Light Hardwood VS Dark Hardwood

With so many different shades of hardwood and wood visual flooring, it can be hard to pick what color would be perfect for your home. It all comes down to light floors or dark floors. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of both to help with your decision.

Light Floor Pros

1. When used in smaller spaces, it will make the room appear bigger than it is.
2. Having light wood floors can give the look of a newer home as lighter floors have been the trend for new homes for the last few years.
3. More flexible style options with lighter floors such as modern, farmhouse, or rustic aesthetic.
4. Creates a more natural and lightweight feel to your space.

Dark Floor Pros

1. It can give your home a more luxurious and sophisticated look. Perfect if looking for a more vintage-aged aesthetic.
2. Fading is less likely to happen, unlike lighter floors as well as stains are not as noticeable with darker floors.
3. Darker floors have a better resale value!
4. If you have lighter interior/décor a dark floor will give a more contrast look.

Light Floor Cons

1. It fades faster than dark floors as dark floors do not absorb ultraviolet light.
2. It is not recommended for kitchens and bathrooms with light wood cabinets unless the monochromatic look is what you are trying to achieve.
3. Reflects light making rooms appear brighter; if walls and floors are a light shade, it can drown out your home, creating a rather blank space

Dark Floor Cons

1. Dust, footprints, and lighter debris will be more noticeable.
2. Not recommended for smaller spaces as the dark color can make the room look even smaller and seem more cramped.

Learn More About Our Newest Brand

Karndean was created by a former flooring installer back in 1973 with the idea to make beautiful, practical vinyl flooring. From working out of the house with the motivation to create the most realistic vinyl flooring to now providing flooring across America.

Karndean's flooring is created with the utmost detail from the intricate grain details of each board, creating a seamless wood visual vinyl and using the same level of detail to their stone visual vinyl. With over 100 + styles and colors, Karndean will have flooring for whatever you have in mind for your home or commercial venue.

The differences between Hardwood, Vinyl, and Laminate.

When shopping for new flooring, you will find roughly three different types of flooring to choose from Hardwood, Vinyl, and Laminate. Let’s talk about the differences between the three, so you have a better understanding of what you need in your home.

Hardwood: Since natural wood is being used, the lifespan of hardwood flooring is longer than most vinyl and laminate, but a lot of maintenance is needed to keep the longevity. It has a higher price per sqft than it is for any other type, but it has a higher resell value. And, of course, no other kind of floor can beat the beauty of natural hardwood.

Vinyl: There are so many kinds of vinyl you can get, such as wood, tile, and marble visuals. For a lower price and easier to install, you can get wood-looking floors without the high maintenance. But unlike hardwood, you cannot repair a broken vinyl; you must replace it, and it could have a shorter lifespan if not properly cared for. It is still a lower price than hardwood as this flooring is mainly sold as waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water stains. 

Laminate: If looking for a cheaper option but still want to keep the beauty of wood visuals, then laminate could be a suitable choice. Laminate is more resistant to scratches and stains but is not as waterproof like vinyl flooring. If you look at laminate in your kitchen, you will need to keep spills to a minimum as standing water or strong humidity cause damage. Like vinyl, you can only replace damaged or broken flooring, unlike hardwood that can be refinished or repaired.

Whichever flooring you need, you can get here at Flooringmarket! If you have any more questions about which is best for you, just give us a call or chat with one of our agents today.