Compared to other types of flooring, laminate definitely stands out as being quite durable. There are, though, a few ways in which laminate floors will warp, and a few reasons why. Let’s examine the type of warping that is called peaking. Laminate floors which are peaking look as if they are rising, like there is something coming up from underneath the floor. The resultant effect is a bit disturbing. Some people immediately think there is something wrong with the foundation in their home, or that, somehow, water has gotten under the laminate floor, but this is unlikely.

The Major Causes Of This Phenomenon

Your laminate floor might be peaking for a few reasons. If you want it fixed right the first time, you’ll make knowing exactly what’s happening your top priority. Many people assume that whatever affected their friend’s laminate floors is also affecting theirs, but this is a dangerous and costly line of thinking. Assuming this can cost you not only money, but a ton of time.

Lack Of Expansion Space Is A Top Cause Of Peaking

Everything expands and contracts, and laminate flooring is certainly no exception. This is why laminated floors are supposed to be installed with space between their edges and the molding. If this space is not available to expand into, the planks will push against each other. Once the pressure is sufficient, the floor will go the only direction that it can: up. If ignored for long enough, the floor will end up with a sort of hump in it, almost like a permanent wave.

Fixed Moldings Will Cause Peaking

Your laminated flooring will still be trapped, even if there is room to expand, if the molding are immobile. Finding only a few pieces of secured molding can be a real nightmare. The solid point could be any place that’s connected to the issue since laminate flooring is designed to not be attached to anything, moldings or sub-floor, something referred to as floating. Many times amateur installers fasten moldings down, either out of ignorance or because they’re trying to get the flooring to stay put while they work.

Peaking Can Be Caused By Boards Which Are Longer Than Specified By The Manufacturer

This one only pertains to some manufacturers of laminate flooring, and generally happens the least. When you have one board that is longer than it should be, the effect can be similar to when there is not room enough for expansion. This is an easily avoidable issue, and won’t happen as long as no single plank is longer than the manufacturer recommends. If you didn’t install the floor yourself, though, you may have difficulty finding the name of the manufacturer. Luckily, since this is usually only an issue when there are areas that are 40 feet long or longer, most people can consider this a non-issue unless they have a very big home, or are experiencing peaking in a hallway. But, if you just can’t find where the laminate floor has been fixed to anything, then you might be left with pulling up planks to find manufacturer markings.

Check out Laminate Floor Facts for more information on everything about laminate floors.

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Wooden flooring has seen so many improvements in recent decades that, to some degree, it could be considered a new product. There are a lot of advantages to using wooden floors in one’s home, but so many people won’t even consider a wooden floor at all. A lot of people dismiss wooden flooring immediately because of all the common misconceptions. Let’s examine all those old realities and see how things have changed.

Wooden Flooring Is Hard To Maintain

This may have been the case with the wooden floors of yesterday, but no longer. Newer, quality wooden flooring has a top coating that is made to be refinished, but even that is not always necessary. In reality, even the cheapest wood floors can be kept looking nice with strategic use of area rugs, and being sure to always use floor protectors with furniture. The only real concern with a modern wooden floor that is not always controllable is moisture.

Wooden Flooring Is Not Terribly Expensive

Like all things quality in life, wooden floors are certainly capable of being expensive. They are certainly not, by default, the most expensive floors, however. As they come directly from natural sources, unlike many other floors, the area that you live in can have the largest impact on the pricing of anything wood. There’s also some aesthetic considerations with real wood that aren’t really an issue with most flooring types. If you find that wooden floors seem to be priced rather high, make sure you are comparing like products. Beware of accidentally comparing completely different quality floors.

Wooden Flooring Is Bad For The Environment

Probably the most prevalent myth regarding wooden floors is also the furthest from the truth. It’s very common knowledge that trees are becoming alarmingly scarce, and that the wood used in this product comes, of course, from threes. Well, this is what we’re told by others, and our eyes correlate this by seeing all the areas that are cleared in the name of development. Ironically, the reality is quite the opposite; there’s actually a lot more standing timber than there was in the 60’s! Very careful management of forests that are grown strictly for timber have made this possible. What other flooring can be simply regrown?

Wooden Flooring Is Bad For Allergies

To those who have carpet, it seems whenever they go into a home that has wooden flooring, they’re attacked by both dust and, if there are pets, pet dander. It’s ironic that this is really more of a sign that wooden floors are actually healthier than carpet, especially for allergy sufferers. This is because pretty much anything that can inhabit the air can also inhabit carpet. This includes, but is not limited to, dust mites, mold, and the toxins that we gather on our clothes and selves every day. With wooden flooring, all you have to do is sweep, and the floor is clean. Unlike most floors, wooden flooring itself is almost impervious to any contamination.

Check out Wooden Flooring Info for all sorts of information about wooden floors.

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