Laminate Flooring Shapes

An overlooked factor when it comes to laminate flooring is the material shape. Usually, the shape of your laminate will not affect overall material costs. However, the shape that you choose for your laminate can have a directly affect ease of installation, which can play a big factor in your costs when you’ve hired a contractor to install your flooring. Laminate flooring can be installed in three shapes, each with their distinctive characteristics that you should be aware of:

• Strips: Laminate strips, although sometimes less expensive than the next two shapes, pose extreme difficulty during installation. Also, because strips are generally very thin, you may need much more material to complete your installation, increasing costs more than may be desirable. Most typically, you will only use enough strips as are necessary to complete transitions between rooms.
• Planks: Laminate planks are the ideal shape for most installation jobs, both in terms of ease and for appearance. Planks are especially useful for larger installation jobs, as they are very easy to lay down levelly and provide a uniformity appearance that are hard to achieve with the other two shapes.
• Tiles: Laminate tiles are a great choice for most rooms in your home, but it’s important to be aware that the often require a more intricate installation to create a cohesive appearance. Choosing tiles for your laminate shape also poses a small risk of curling or peeling back at the edges from prolonged usage.