The popularity of laminate flooring knows no bounds, and many modern homes sport stylish and practical laminate floors throughout. With such a vast range of realistic wood and stone finishes available at a fraction of the price of real wood or stone, this convenient floor choice is a popular option for kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. But does it work in the bedroom?
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Are Laminate Floors Suitable in the
Bedroom?
The easy answer is yes. Laminate
floors are made up of planks or tiles. They make an ideal bedroom flooring
option, as the versatility of tiles or planks allow you to choose your own
pattern, finish and colours, quickly transforming your bedroom.
Benefits of Laminate
Laminate in a bedroom is easy to clean, low-maintenance and
long-lasting, so you are less likely to need to replace it as frequently as
some other flooring types. It is a ‘floating floor’, which means it is not
stuck down with adhesive but rather has a locking system that connects each
tile or plank to each other, providing one continuous floor that easily
contracts and expands along with the ambient room temperature. The individual
components mean that it is quick, easy and inexpensive to remove and replace a
damaged area of floor, as you only need to remove one plank or tile to fix a
problem rather than the entire floor.
Choice of Laminates
With laminate’s great range of colours and effects, your bedroom can
quickly be redesigned with a stunning and unique floor pattern. Laminate Wood Flooring produces
a more classic look in the bedroom, giving a cosy warmth that is comfy
underfoot. Check out the comprehensive range of laminate flooring on offer via
a specialist online such as https://irwintiles.ie/index.php/wooden-flooring.html. These
alternatives to real hardwood cost much less and don’t require the upkeep that
natural wood requires.
Bedroom Design
To incorporate a laminate floor seamlessly into your bedroom, consider the colours and furnishings in the room and the type of furniture to find a suitably stylish floor. If you have an oak bed, perhaps choose an oak-effect laminate to set it off to perfection. A metal bedframe may be more suited to a lighter beech grain or a white-washed wood-effect laminate. Or choose grey and black laminates for a sleek monochrome look. There really are so many different types to choose from its incredible.
Creative ways to lay laminate in a bedroom
Laminate does not have to go down in plain straight rows. Laying planks in complementary shades, some parallel and some perpendicular to the wall, gives a relaxed, distinctive look, and a contrasting colour can be used to set off your furniture. Cutting planks to random lengths and laying them in straight lines creates a less formal effect.
For something more striking, lay the planks at 45 degrees to the wall, shaping the edges neatly where they meet it. A herringbone pattern is harder to get right, but the result is well worth the effort. A click-system laminate that resembles parquet can give a similar look for less than the real thing.
Laminate can also go beyond the floor. A feature wall behind the bed, laid vertically or horizontally, can bring a tired room back to life, and leaving gaps for lighting to show through adds interest. Planks on the ceiling create a cosy, old-style effect; keep the walls matt and fairly bare for a more contemporary finish.
Repairing a damaged laminate plank
One advantage of laminate in a bedroom is that damage can often be fixed at home. Assess it first. Small scrapes and chips can usually be filled with a laminate repair product, while serious damage means replacing a plank. That is why it pays to keep a few spare planks when the floor is laid.
To replace a snap-together plank, draw a line about half an inch to an inch inside each edge of the damaged board. Drill relief holes at the corners, cut out the centre section with a circular saw, then make relief cuts towards the edges and remove the remaining pieces carefully with a chisel.
Prepare the new plank by cutting off the bottom lip of its tongue and grooves so it can drop into place. Run a bead of wood glue along the edges, lower it in, wipe away the excess and weigh it down with heavy books until the glue dries. The job takes about two hours.
How laminate compares with other floors
Flooring is a long-term investment, so compare the options before deciding on a bedroom floor. Laminate is easy to clean and very durable, comes in many colours and wood effects, with oak a popular choice, and gives the look of wood for less. Like real hardwood, it should not be allowed to get wet. Hardwood itself looks stylish and wears well but costs more to install.
Softer materials have their own appeal in a bedroom. Carpet is warm, quiet and easy to fit, but traps dirt and stains easily. Cork is natural, warm and absorbs noise, though it can yellow over time and swells if it gets too wet. Vinyl is inexpensive and quiet but tears more easily.
Tiles suit kitchens, hallways and bathrooms thanks to their water resistance, but they are cold and noisy underfoot, which makes them a poor fit for most bedrooms.