Got Asthma? Find Out Why 80% of Asthma Sufferers Choose Laminate Floors

If you've ever watched Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous or Cribs on MTV it is quite possible that you have found yourself drooling over the beautiful floors you will see in many of these homes. Some of these floors are made from woods from the turn of the century and would make a lovely addition to almost any home. Of course, the price tag is typically a step back into the world of reality and day jobs. The good news is that you can have floors that are just as lovely without the hefty price tag if you choose laminate flooring.

You can find laminate flooring that is created to look just like wood, even those that are shined to a fine gloss much like those found in hardwood floors. These floors are easier to maintain than genuine hardwood and much easier on the wallet. In fact, the average do it yourselfer can actually afford to use laminate floor, especially if he's doing the installation himself.

Laminate hardwoods come in strips with tongue and groove installation procedures that are easy to snap together. This flooring is designed to install right on top of your existing floor and is very simple even for those of us with less than technical skills.

So, why choose laminate over hardwoods and other flooring materials? Good question actually. Laminate floors actually offer many benefits over traditional options such as carpets, hardwoods, and rugs. First of all, laminates are very durable and resistant to abrasions. Hardwood floors are easily marred and shouldn't really be used in high traffic areas. Hardwood floors are best for rooms that won't be seeing a whole lot of action, kind of like grandma's living room after the kids are grown and gone.

Next, laminate floors offer very easy maintenance. Damaged pieces can easily be replaced with laminates. Hardwoods and carpets will require a little more effort in order to replace if they can be replaced at all. Trust me, attempting this with hardwood is a migraine waiting to happen.

The best reason of all is perhaps the lower price of laminates. This is quickly followed by the vast selection of style you will have with laminate floors. In addition to the many styles there are also various grades from which to choose depending on the traffic flow within your home.

It doesn't matter what kind of décor you are going for, there is a laminate that will suit your needs. If you are looking for a floor that will compliment the inner pioneer you may want a rugged oak or pine. If you wish for a more classic or elegant look for your home cherry or walnut may be just what the doctor (or designer) ordered. There are all kinds of styles that will bring warmth to your home your job is to choose the one you like best.

Before you set your heart on the style or color you want your laminate floors to take you should give some serious consideration to the amount and type of traffic your floors will receive. In residential settings there are typically 3 types of classes for flooring. Class 21 is adequate for the type of traffic that most bedrooms receive while class 22 is ideal for areas that receive moderate traffic such as family areas and living rooms. Class 23 is pretty well suited for any room in the home other than bedrooms as it can generally sustain quite heavy traffic loads. This is probably the best possible class for homes with either children or pets.

So why should you choose laminate over carpets? This of course is another excellent question. Wall to wall carpet was once considered a selling point in many homes; however, knowledge about mites, dust, molds, and pollens that can be trapped in your carpets despite rigorous cleaning has made carpet far less desirable in homes than it has been in the past. Hardwoods and laminates drastically reduce the number of allergens in your home and that alone makes them both worth a second look or two.

Allergies as the result of pet dander or hair is the second leading cause of asthma in children and carpeting just seems to hold them in which keeps your children exposes to those harmful allergens. Laminate floors do not only look wonderful in your home, they are also easy to install and maintain, while also being recommended by four out of five doctors over carpet.