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Next time you decide that you want to replace your old worn out flooring with the newly innovated laminate flooring I would like you to bare one thing in mind, just because you are looking at Name Brand Floorings doesn’t mean you will be getting the best quality flooring for your money.

Being a smart consumer you probably already know that buying flooring is just like any other product in that the “name” does not always mean top quality products. Some of the name brand laminate flooring is hard to snap together and has a thin tongue and groove design that is easily broken and not as strong as a thicker design. Always check the design of the locking mechanism and make sure that it has a thick tongue and groove system and is easy to snap together.

The manufacturer that we represent is Dream Home and it manufacturers quality brands known for their craftsmanship, durability and it’s long lasting beauty.

It can be a daunting task shopping for laminate flooring. Especially when the salespeople that you talk to know very little about the product that they are attempting to sell you.

You have the right not to believe me but, I am telling you that the information that you find and read on my site is true to fact. For the past 27 years, until I had to take disability retirement, I worked in the construction industry, both new and remodeling construction, so with my experience and research I can honestly say that I am bringing you true information that you can use to make informative decisions when choosing a laminate flooring.

I do my own flooring in my home and am in the process of replacing a couple of rooms right now and these are some of the things that I personally look for when I choose a laminate floor:

1. The Type of Locking Mechanism:

Most consumers will miss this area when shopping for laminate flooring. You need to see and check out the way that they boards connect together. After being connected there should be as seamless a joint as possible. When you run your hands across the seam it should be very flat. Not one side higher than the other.

Be sure and look at the tongue and grooves where the planks will join together, the thicker the grooves the stronger the joint.

2. The Texture Of The Surface:

When you look at the surface of the laminate that you are shopping for how does it look? Does it look flat, like plastic nowhere near looking like real wood?

Our brands that we offer are as close to looking like the real wood that it is immitating as the real wood itself.
3. The Wear Layer:

All laminate flooring has a wear layer on the surface to help with the everyday wear and tear on the product. Naturally the thicker the layer the better and longer lasting the product will be. The thinner the layer then the faster it will wear out leaving you with an unattractive floor.

All of our floors have a coating that is made to withstand heavy traffic areas for the most active of families and for commercial use as well.

4. Core Material:

After you have acquired the samples of the laminate flooring that you are deciding on be sure and check out the core. You can compare the cores by simply scratching them with your fingernails or a knife to see how each feels. Is it soft or dense? You are looking for the denser core because this will safeguard the flooring from moisture and give you a stronger and longer lasting floor.

5. The Backing:

Check the back of the samples that you have chosen. A lot of laminate manufacturers use a thin layer of melamine for sealing the back of their products.

Our manufacturer uses a thick layer of melamine which makes for a more stable product.

6. Service:

The last thing and most important to compare is the company that you decide to go with. Will they help you with advice before, during and after the sell?

We offer help during all three phases, before, during and most importantly after the sell. We are not happy until you are happy. Plus we ship worldwide so everyone can benefit from our discounted prices.

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Norway Oak 6mm prefinished

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8mm Mountain Pine Laminate prefinished natural

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7MM Shenandoah Laminate prefinished

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7mm Bolivian Mahogany Laminate prefinished

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Discover 9 Reasons Why Everyone Is Choosing Laminate Flooring.

1. Laminate flooring is durable

Laminate flooring is a highly durable flooring surface made for high traffic areas and is an excellent choice for homes with children or pets. All laminate floors have an incredibly hard and durable wear layer finish,that provides better scratch and dent resistance compared to solid hardwood floors and vinyl floors. Laminate flooring is a very good proposition for you as a flooring solution, most good manufacturers provide a 25 year warranty against wear and damage.

2.Laminate floors are stain resistant

Laminate floors have a highly improved stain resistance quality over solid hardwood flooring and carpet. The flooring planks come pre-finished with a stain-resistant wear coat on the surface.

3.Fade resistant

Compared to hardwood floors, laminate flooring will not fade over time do to repeated sun exposure.

4.Moisture resistant

Laminate floors can be installed in environments with higher than normal humidity and moisture levels.

5.Variety of colors and styles

The range of colors, styles, species, and designs offered by laminate flooring is massive. There is a color and design available to suit every interior style and environment.

6.Economical

Laminate flooring offers you the best proposition when compared to other flooring solutions over the longer term. Compare the different options over 25 years: carpet will have to be replaced 2 to 4 times, solid hardwoods will have to be refinished 3 to 5 times, and vinyl will need to be replaced at least 3 times.

7.Easy to install

Laminate floors are not designed to be fastened to the sub-floor, but to to float to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the inside of your home. You can place them over an existing floor, sub-floor, or even concrete. The most popular brands now feature a glueless click system that easily snaps together.

8.Easy maintenance

Just vacuuming and wiping with a damp mop or rag is all that is needed to keep your floors clean. Although this is a scratch-resistant product, sharp pebbles and objects may scratch though the wear layer, and leave a visible scratch. Laminate floors are not made to be sanded. Minor scratches can be repaired with special color matching pencils, seam gaps can be repaired with fillers, and larger chips may call for the use of color burning sticks. All of these fixes are fairly simple, and if large damage occurs, you can take out that section and replace the damaged board.

9.Health benefits

When you compare carpet and rugs to laminate flooring it is considered to be healthier for your environment. Laminate surfaces do not allow for the accumulation of dust, dust mites and debris as does carpets and rugs therefore giving you a cleaner environment. Allergists have reported that by removing the carpet in your home can be beneficial to people who suffer from dust allergies.


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What is Laminate?

Laminate flooring is made up into layered construction:

1.) The Wear Layer: This is an easy-to-clean surface that contains aluminum oxide that protects the floor from stains, fading and wear.

Look to make sure that the flooring has an abrasion classification (A/C) rating of at least 3 for the best residential use protection.

2.) Image Design Layer: This is a photographic image of wood, stone, or virtually anything you can imagine.

3.) Inner Core Layer: This layer provides the floor’s structural strength and stability. It is made from high-density fiberboard. This core is often impregnated with a plastic resin called melamine to increase the floor’s strength, stability and resistance to moisture. Most products that have high levels of melamine do not need acclimation before installation.

4.) The Backing Layer: This layer is found beneath the inner core, and is made with resin saturated paper. This paper creates a moisture barrier that protects the floor and keeps it from warping.

All laminate floors are compressed together using one of two processes. DPL, or direct pressure laminate, which is the most common way for residential use. HPL, or high-pressure laminate, Which is an extra-hard construction. The difference between the two is cost, performance and the design realism. DPL is the less expensive, and has the same puncture resistance as HPL with objects that are dropped at or below counter height, plus it is easier to emboss for a more realistic texture. HPL is more expensive and is less likely to puncture if items are dropped on it from above counter-top height, but it is harder to emboss, which makes it not look as real as you would want it to.

Laminate Design

Laminate is the ultimate means by which you can get the look of real wood without paying the real wood price. Its uncanny ability to replicate the look of real wood, stone, brick and ceramic is due to highly detailed photography of the actual material. So, when you look at laminate, you’re looking at an image identical to the real thing. The image is coupled with advanced embossing that adds realistic texture to the floor surface. Sometimes it is hard to tell the laminate from the material it is imitating. Laminate also has an easy to clean surface that protects the floor from stains, fading or wear. Laminates ability to impersonate allows you to get the look and feel of rare, exotic wood or expensive stone at a fraction of the cost, with no natural material drawbacks.

Where Can I Use Laminate?

This flooring can be used in any room of the house, whether it’s below, on or above grade level. However, laminate floors do have some sensitivity to high moisture areas, so if you plan on using laminate in your bathroom, you should take special precautions.

Durability & Life Expectancy

Quality laminate products are one of the best flooring options when it comes to durability. Quality products should last for at least 15 to 30 years. The good performance is due to a good inner core stability and the tough wear layer. The aluminum oxide in laminates top coat makes it unsurpassed for wear and stain resistance. Although laminate stands up well to wear and tear, bear in mind that if it will scratch, and it can’t be resurfaced like a hardwood can. However, scratches can be covered using special pencils made by the manufacturer. Chips, gouges and deep scratches can be concealed by using filler sticks. If an area of the floor does become damaged, replacing it can be a tricky job that’s best left to an installation professional.

Keep in Mind:

* You can not expose laminate flooring to puddles of standing water, which will permanently damage the floor.
* Think about the pros and cons of DPL and HPL constructions for durability and image authenticity when deciding on your laminate floor. There will be a trade off when one of these types are more important than the other.

Care & Maintenance

Laminate flooring needs minimal care and never needs waxing. When necessary, you can mop your laminate floor using a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Exposure to water will damage your laminate flooring, so if you have to clean with water, make sure to use a damp mop.

Keep in Mind:
* The main culprits to damage the finish on your laminate floor is sand and grit. Regularly clean your floors of dirt with a vacuum that has a wand attachment, or dust mopping. Never use brooms— because they will drag the grit across the floor, thus creating scratches.
* Chair and table leg protectors will help extend the life of your floor.

Installing your laminate floor: