H
hausbauer-112 Jun 2008 10:13The right flooring often plays an important role in a new shelter, but which type of floor should you choose? Usually, the decision depends on your budget, but nowadays the price difference has decreased so much that hardwood flooring is a real alternative to laminate.
Even though laminate and hardwood are processed in a similar way, there are significant differences!
Hardwood flooring is made from solid wood and is therefore considered a more premium product. Hardwood floors also feel warmer, while laminate is more durable, cheaper, and available with alternative designs such as tiles.
Important: The Subfloor
To ensure the floor still looks good after several years, it is essential to pay attention to the suitability of the subfloor before installation. A smooth, level, and firm subfloor is indispensable.
Often, the floor is far from ideal and requires some preparatory work:
Wood Plank Floors
If the wood plank floor has unevenness exceeding 3 millimeters per meter (0.12 inches per foot), it must be leveled. For this, leveling compound for wood floors is used. After priming the subfloor, overlapping fabric sheets are stapled down and embedded into the flowing material. This process is supported with a steel trowel. A vapor barrier in the form of at least 0.2 millimeters (0.008 inches) thick PE foil later protects the laminate from moisture.
Glue-down Carpet on Screed
Hard needle felt carpet can remain in place. Loop or velvet carpets must be removed. When lifting the floor covering, carpet backing residues often stick to the screed. These are soaked with water and detergent and then removed with a scraper or, more easily, with an electric scraper. A vapor barrier is also necessary here.
PVC Sheet Flooring
On screed, the flooring can generally remain. If the plastic floor is undamaged, an additional vapor barrier is not required. However, if the flooring is on wood planks, it must be removed. An airtight seal of the subfloor does not allow air exchange and can therefore cause damage.
Ceramic Tiles
If they are laid evenly, the vapor barrier can be applied directly on top. Hollow or loose tiles should be reattached or replaced with tile adhesive. Height differences between individual tiles greater than 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) are leveled by removing the raised tile. A vapor barrier is required.
Damaged Screed with Rough Unevenness
Leveling is required here. Either fill with a compound or apply a self-leveling compound. If it is a floating screed, an edge insulation strip must be installed at the joint between floor and wall to prevent the joint from filling and thus losing impact sound insulation. If the screed is crumbly, it should be primed beforehand. A vapor barrier is required.
Even though laminate and hardwood are processed in a similar way, there are significant differences!
Hardwood flooring is made from solid wood and is therefore considered a more premium product. Hardwood floors also feel warmer, while laminate is more durable, cheaper, and available with alternative designs such as tiles.
Important: The Subfloor
To ensure the floor still looks good after several years, it is essential to pay attention to the suitability of the subfloor before installation. A smooth, level, and firm subfloor is indispensable.
Often, the floor is far from ideal and requires some preparatory work:
Wood Plank Floors
If the wood plank floor has unevenness exceeding 3 millimeters per meter (0.12 inches per foot), it must be leveled. For this, leveling compound for wood floors is used. After priming the subfloor, overlapping fabric sheets are stapled down and embedded into the flowing material. This process is supported with a steel trowel. A vapor barrier in the form of at least 0.2 millimeters (0.008 inches) thick PE foil later protects the laminate from moisture.
Glue-down Carpet on Screed
Hard needle felt carpet can remain in place. Loop or velvet carpets must be removed. When lifting the floor covering, carpet backing residues often stick to the screed. These are soaked with water and detergent and then removed with a scraper or, more easily, with an electric scraper. A vapor barrier is also necessary here.
PVC Sheet Flooring
On screed, the flooring can generally remain. If the plastic floor is undamaged, an additional vapor barrier is not required. However, if the flooring is on wood planks, it must be removed. An airtight seal of the subfloor does not allow air exchange and can therefore cause damage.
Ceramic Tiles
If they are laid evenly, the vapor barrier can be applied directly on top. Hollow or loose tiles should be reattached or replaced with tile adhesive. Height differences between individual tiles greater than 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) are leveled by removing the raised tile. A vapor barrier is required.
Damaged Screed with Rough Unevenness
Leveling is required here. Either fill with a compound or apply a self-leveling compound. If it is a floating screed, an edge insulation strip must be installed at the joint between floor and wall to prevent the joint from filling and thus losing impact sound insulation. If the screed is crumbly, it should be primed beforehand. A vapor barrier is required.
In terms of price, hardwood flooring is no longer as expensive as it used to be. This means that the price difference between hardwood and laminate is not as significant as it once was. An important disadvantage of laminate flooring is that it cannot be sanded. Hardwood floors can be sanded, usually twice, starting from a thickness of 4mm (1.6 inches). Personally, I prefer hardwood floors.
yung
yung
W
wappach-130 Jun 2008 19:06In terms of price, in my opinion, there is still a significant difference between laminate and hardwood flooring!
The quality difference (when considering the lifespan) is also huge.
Hardwood flooring can be sanded down and restored to look like new, whereas laminate, well, you eventually have to replace it, and after a few years, it no longer looks very good.
The quality difference (when considering the lifespan) is also huge.
Hardwood flooring can be sanded down and restored to look like new, whereas laminate, well, you eventually have to replace it, and after a few years, it no longer looks very good.
Similar topics