One of the most exciting moments when remodelling your home is choosing the coatings, right? This is why in previous articles, we have been going through some of the best-known alternatives for coatings, such as porcelain tiles, ceramics and SPC floors.
Today we will discuss one more alternative for your floors: laminated photo floors!
Photo-laminated floors contain all the aspects you should consider when looking at a coating: aesthetics, durability and price. These are some of the advantages that make them one of the most used in interior spaces.
So that you can make the best decision, in this article, we will tell you everything about laminated photo floors: What are they? What are its main Advantages and Disadvantages? How is its maintenance? And what kind of spaces are they recommended for? So go get your pencil and take notes!
What are photo laminated floors?
Photolaminated floors are a type of coating made of synthetic materials attached to medium-density fiberboard (or MDF, for its acronym in English), which gives them great durability when installed indoors.
In its structure, laminated photo floors have the following components:
- An underlayer provides dimensional stability and a protective moisture barrier for the bottom of the substrate.
- The intermediate layer, the substrate or core, is made of MDF wood-based materials.
- A top layer, or visible layer: It is responsible for protecting the piece against wear and giving it a decorative appearance. It is made of special cellulose impregnated with resin;
What are the characteristics of photo laminated floors?
Due to their characteristics, laminated photo floors have numerous advantages that make them a perfect alternative to transform a space within the home.
Next, we tell you what its main points in favour are:
- Durability: thanks to its combination of MDF with the protective layer of resin, photo laminate floors offer high resistance to abrasion due to domestic or commercial use for years and even decades.
- Sunlight and UV Stability: Unlike vinyl flooring that can warp with prolonged contact with direct or indirect sunlight, photo laminate flooring maintains its shape and colour when exposed to UV rays.
- Ease of installation: photo laminate floors are installed floating. They are not fixed to the surface, but each piece fits together. Therefore, installation (and removal) is more comfortable and faster than other products, such as ceramic or porcelain.
- Hypoallergenic and antibacterial qualities: due to their synthetic materials, these coverings reduce the possibility of generating allergic reactions, making them ideal if you have pets.
- Simple maintenance and cleaning: another of the advantages of laminated photo flooring is its ease of cleaning, as mopping or vacuuming is sufficient for daily maintenance.
- Variety of designs: the cellulose layer offers a wide variety of printed designs that offer an elegant finish that is increasingly similar to that of natural wood. It won’t be hard to find a unique design that you love!
- Variety in formats: you can find different options in sizes and thicknesses.
- Affordable price: one of the advantages of laminated photo flooring is its excellent quality/price ratio, which offers good performance at lower prices compared to other coverings.
What are its disadvantages?
Although this coating offers many benefits, there is no 100% perfect material. In this case, we will tell you about the main disadvantages of laminated photo floors so that you can consider them.
- They are not recommended for outdoor spaces: although we are dealing with a durable product, weather conditions and excessive humidity in the outdoor environment can accelerate its deterioration.
- They do not offer the touch of natural wood: remember that laminated photo floors are synthetic products, so although they are visually similar to natural wood, they are not to the touch.
In which spaces is it recommended to install this type of cladding?
Photolaminated floors are recommended for interior spaces. And due to their appearance that evokes nature, they are perfect in rooms where you seek to create a warm, relaxing and welcoming atmosphere.
It is common to find these coatings in living rooms, hallways and bedrooms. Although they can also be used in kitchens, always remember that the protective layer can weaken if they are constantly exposed to splashes that do not dry in time.
Avoid using it outdoors or in completely humid spaces such as the bathroom, the pool area or the sauna. Similarly, it is also not recommended in spaces with heavy traffic, such as the garage.
How is photo laminate flooring cleaned?
One of the great advantages of laminated photo floors is the ease of maintenance. For daily cleaning, it will be enough to pass them a broom or a vacuum cleaner.
If the space has larger stains, you can use a damp cloth or mop to remove them without problems. Keep in mind that it should be damp, not wet. And it is not necessary to scrub hard because the resin layer can be affected.
You can also use cleaning products, and you just have to make sure that they do not contain wax or oil, that they are not abrasive and that no residue is left on the floor, as it could penetrate the coating and form a film on the surface that attracts more dirt.
How long does a photo laminate floor last?
Usually, photo laminate floors can have a useful life of around 15 years, but depending on their care and use, they can last 20 to 30 years.
Remember that to prolong their durability, and you must take the correct care, such as installing them indoors, cleaning them with dry or wet mops, and taking precautions to avoid scratches or falls from sharp or very heavy objects.
