Choosing laminate flooring has never been easier when there is QuickStep

Before taking a look at QuickStep Laminate Flooring specifically, let’s check what is laminate, in general. What are the ups and downs, what makes it attractive and how it compares to real hardwood?

What Exactly Is Laminate?

Laminates are a relatively new type of flooring with a lot of upsides and certain drawbacks. Every potential buyer deserves to know all the facts in order to make an informed decision.

The laminate flooring has multiple layers. The top layer is where they print an image of the desired material - wood, stone or something else. Laminate can mimic the look of almost anything and some of the higher quality ones can do it pretty convincingly. The layer is also made to protect itself from scratching, fading or damage of any sort.

The second layer is the core. It is made out of thin high-density fiberboard (HDF) combined with a resin for additional protection against moisture and increased durability.

The third and last layer is meant to be a barrier against humidity and moisture and is also known as ‘backing’.

The Good and the Bad About Laminate Flooring

The Good

You have a lot of options when it comes to looks: Laminate can imitate the appearance of many natural materials which makes it highly customizable and able to fit almost any taste. The variation can be overwhelming and you are always presented with a choice.

High Durability

This type of floor is very hard-wearing and capable of resisting a lot of damage which could completely ruin a natural alternative like hardwood. Laminate floors are perfect for high traffic areas like hallways. Dirt and mud will have a hard time building upon such a floor, moisture should not be a problem as well and exposure to sunlight will not cause the surface to fade.

Easy Installation and fits almost everywhere

Can be installed over pretty much anything except carpet. Laminate has a locking system where each individual piece clicks into the next one on top of a sheet of underlay. It is easy to install even for someone who has never done it and it doesn’t need to be glued or nailed down.

Easy Maintenance

The laminate floor’s wear layer is very tough and resistant to most types of damage. As long as you sweep and vacuum regularly you should have no trouble with it.

Low Price

The main reason for the invention of the laminate was to provide a cheap alternative to hardwood which everyone should be able to afford. Keep in mind that higher quality laminate will have a higher price tag.

The Bad

Impossible to refinish: When a hardwood floor is damaged it can, with few exceptions, be sanded and refinished. A laminate floor can never be refinished.

Doesn’t feel like wood:  Laminate can look like wood and be pretty good at it but upon touching it you’ll realise it’s not a natural material.

The Advantages of QuickStep Laminate

QuickStep is one of the most well-known and easily recognised names in the manufacturing of engineered and laminate flooring. They are one of the big companies setting the standards in the branch and delivering quality on a level exceeding the competition. If you are seeking a reliable and dependable product then QuickStep flooring is an excellent choice.

Even more choices 

It has already been said that laminate floor offers a lot of opportunities for customization. Few companies, though, can match the variety offered by QuickStep.

Some cheaper laminate floors can often have misprints across the length or width of the board which makes the plank useless most of the time. In addition, it’s possible to find a pale patch on the surface of your laminate also known as ‘ghosting’. This is a result of poor quality control. QuickStep products do not have similar problems! On the contrary, the surface texture and strength of their products is amazing and they provide several different prints in a pack so you never have to place a piece next to its duplicate one.

Quick Installation

Low-quality laminates have similarly low-quality HDF core boards and when you try to click them you may find that the locking part has suddenly fallen to pieces. Poor locking mechanisms can prevent the laminate from being laid properly and result in damage.

It has been mentioned that laminates are indeed easy to install. QuickStep goes one step further with its patented Uniclic click system. Since the HDF core used in their products is outstanding you can click and un-click often without causing damage. On top of this, the locking mechanism is paraffin waxed. The wax used in the locking mechanism lubricates it so any potential movement will not cause damage.

Splash-Proof

Laminate is made out of wood. Despite its many strengths, it still has the potential to be ruined by water at some point. QuickStep engineers have also thought of that. The paraffin wax in the locking system has an additional use. It will not only protect it from abrasive damage but improve the water-resistance of the floor as a whole. QuickStep floors are as easy to clean as any other but the added resistance makes the cleaning a safer routine, as let’s be honest at some point you’d like to clean it a regular mop due to different reasons.

Hard-wearing

Lower-grade laminate can have many problems despite the assurances and warranties. Such a product can be damaged around the edges simply from the movement in the package when it was delivered to you for installation. They can be easy to dent or come with a very weak wear layer.

On the other hand, QuickStep has come with the ‘Scratch Guard’ technology which, according to the manufacturer, offers up to ten times more protection to micro-scratching and keeps your floor attractive for way longer.

AC Ratings

The main advantage laminate has over hardwood is its durability. That durability can be measured through the Abrasion Class (AC) wear ratings. There are 5 ranks of AC progressively increasing in quality as the number grows from AC1 to AC5. Most of the QuickStep Laminate Floors are with AC4 ratings which are a mark of higher quality and even allows them to be used for commercial purposes and not in homes alone.

Pleasant Solid Sound

One of the drawbacks people see in laminates is the fact that they produce a hollow sound when you walk on them. This makes the floor feel plastic and fake. QuickStep has addressed this issue and came up with boards that ensure pleasant sound and a more natural feel, especially when combined with the proper underlay.

No colour fading

You buy a cheap laminate. You have it installed and so far there are no problems. At some point, though, you begin to see that the surface begins to look worn, especially when exposed to sunlight. But it has only been a few months, how is it possible? Well, a low-quality laminate has an incredibly thin wear layer and the surface coating can easily become distressed.

QuickStep Laminate does not turn pale when under normal levels of sunlight and you don’t have to worry about the colour discrepancy.

Warranty

With a few notable exceptions, QuickStep Laminate flooring comes with a 25-years warranty which is a lot for a flooring type that can never be refinished.

Keep in mind though that if any minor damage occurs on the laminate flooring there are first-aid repair kits but for anything more serious you’d need to change the damaged parts so, just in case, when buying your flooring you might want to order some extra boards.