It?s not your mother?s laminate any more! Besides all the obvious reasons why? color, textures, choices, styles, designs and fashion? is the installation. Laminate can be installed over almost any existing floor except for carpet.
The Rundown on Laminate Flooring
Most of today?s laminate flooring is glueless, although more pre-glued laminate options are available. A pre-glued product is one in which the glue is embedded in the tongue and can be activated by adding water, and this option is favored in areas where the product may be wet so a stronger joint is needed.
Even though laminate is touted as a do-it-yourself product, here?s a word of caution. The details of a finished floor spell the difference between a laminate that looks like it was done by a professional or an amateur. The most important finishing details are typically trim, transitions and other moldings. Although moldings conceal the expansion joints between the floors and walls and soften the transition between the floors and the walls, they also function as ?picture framing? for the floor. Also our floor may require even more specialty items such as vents or stair nosing, critical element that make sure your floor is what you expected.
With summer almost upon us, you may want to spruce up your existing laminate floor. For dark woods you may want to lighten up the room for the summer; consider a brass (pewter) easel or another favorite metal in the room with a summery painting?nature, flowers, grasses or the ocean- to move the eye off the floor and give the room a lighter airy feeling. Add metal pots with tall grasses or silk flowers.
Conversely, if your floors are light, you may just want to add contrast to the room. In this case for summer, dark can be fine as long as it is not on the floor. In your bedroom consider a spread full of outdoor colors.
In these times of political and economic uncertainty, there are two schools of thought about color preferences in home d?cor. The first states that in an effort to create a sense of security and peace, consumers are turning to safe conservative colors. Unobtrusive shades of oatmeal linen and toffee have stood the test of time and work well with almost any d?cor.
The second perspective is that consumers are looking to bright, fun colors to create an upbeat cheerful atmosphere. For Example, Bold, bold blues and outrageous oranges add flair and are emotionally uplifting. The use of color in home d?cor is highly impactful and it is important for consumers to select hues that they feel most comfortable with, regardless of the latest trends.
Neutral shades often come to mind when considering soothing or conservative colors. These hues are perceived as non-offensive classics that are easy to use. In recent years, however, we have discovered that the neutral category has expanded to include ?color-full? neutrals. Still subdued, they are more sophisticated and complex that traditional neutrals.
These colors can be associated with specific color families. For example, soft pink, lilac, cream, moss and peach offer easy-to-live-with options in the red, purple, ?yellow, green and orange families respectively.
The hues found in nature have become extremely popular in recent years not only are they appealing tones but also for the moods they create. Green has taken on a role as one of the newest neutrals in the palette.
Environmental greens, inspired by nature, have been broadly excepted. These neutral shades of green have the ability to add color while still creating a calming effect.
Options in green continue to expand as blue-toned greens (similar to the sparkling waters of the Caribbean) join in the already popular yellow inspired greens (reminiscent of the first leaves of springtime and tender blades of new grass.)
Shades of blue, another hue dominant in nature, are perennial favorites in home d?cor, regardless of trends. Light shades such as sky, or aqua, create a sense of peace and serenity. At the other end of the spectrum dark blues such as a rich navy, and a deep royal add a touch of drama while remaining traditional.
Not everyone considers traditional, conservative colors. In today?s world some consumers are turning to bright colors to help restore a sense of optimism. Yellow is cheerful, orange is playful, and red evokes passion and enthusiasm. Even traditionally soothing blue and green are appearing in stimulating shades.
Even though laminate is touted as a do-it-yourself product, here?s a word of caution. The details of a finished floor spell the difference between a laminate that looks like it was done by a professional or an amateur. The most important finishing details are typically trim, transitions and other moldings. Although moldings conceal the expansion joints between the floors and walls and soften the transition between the floors and the walls, they also function as ?picture framing? for the floor. Also our floor may require even more specialty items such as vents or stair nosing, critical element that make sure your floor is what you expected.
With summer almost upon us, you may want to spruce up your existing laminate floor. For dark woods you may want to lighten up the room for the summer; consider a brass (pewter) easel or another favorite metal in the room with a summery painting?nature, flowers, grasses or the ocean- to move the eye off the floor and give the room a lighter airy feeling. Add metal pots with tall grasses or silk flowers.
Conversely, if your floors are light, you may just want to add contrast to the room. In this case for summer, dark can be fine as long as it is not on the floor. In your bedroom consider a spread full of outdoor colors.
In these times of political and economic uncertainty, there are two schools of thought about color preferences in home d?cor. The first states that in an effort to create a sense of security and peace, consumers are turning to safe conservative colors. Unobtrusive shades of oatmeal linen and toffee have stood the test of time and work well with almost any d?cor.
The second perspective is that consumers are looking to bright, fun colors to create an upbeat cheerful atmosphere. For Example, Bold, bold blues and outrageous oranges add flair and are emotionally uplifting. The use of color in home d?cor is highly impactful and it is important for consumers to select hues that they feel most comfortable with, regardless of the latest trends.
Neutral shades often come to mind when considering soothing or conservative colors. These hues are perceived as non-offensive classics that are easy to use. In recent years, however, we have discovered that the neutral category has expanded to include ?color-full? neutrals. Still subdued, they are more sophisticated and complex that traditional neutrals.
These colors can be associated with specific color families. For example, soft pink, lilac, cream, moss and peach offer easy-to-live-with options in the red, purple, ?yellow, green and orange families respectively.
The hues found in nature have become extremely popular in recent years not only are they appealing tones but also for the moods they create. Green has taken on a role as one of the newest neutrals in the palette.
Environmental greens, inspired by nature, have been broadly excepted. These neutral shades of green have the ability to add color while still creating a calming effect.
Options in green continue to expand as blue-toned greens (similar to the sparkling waters of the Caribbean) join in the already popular yellow inspired greens (reminiscent of the first leaves of springtime and tender blades of new grass.)
Shades of blue, another hue dominant in nature, are perennial favorites in home d?cor, regardless of trends. Light shades such as sky, or aqua, create a sense of peace and serenity. At the other end of the spectrum dark blues such as a rich navy, and a deep royal add a touch of drama while remaining traditional.
Not everyone considers traditional, conservative colors. In today?s world some consumers are turning to bright colors to help restore a sense of optimism. Yellow is cheerful, orange is playful, and red evokes passion and enthusiasm. Even traditionally soothing blue and green are appearing in stimulating shades.
