What is oak laminate flooring?
Oak effect laminate consists of fibre board with a photographic appliqué layer which imitates the look of real oak flooring. This is topped with a clear protective layer which means your flooring will stand the test of time. While this flooring type looks like a solid oak floor, it is significantly cheaper than real wood floorboards and also more durable and water resistant.
What are the benefits of oak laminate flooring?
Because oak laminate is durable, it’s ideal for homes or spaces which may see a lot of footfall or mess. This is why it’s a popular choice for commercial areas such as offices, or homes with pets or young kids, as laminate is not easily damaged. On top of that, this flooring is easy to clean and maintain and it’s affordable should the worst happen, and you need to replace it.
Where can you lay oak laminate flooring?
Laminate is more water resistant than an engineered wood or a solid wood floor. For this reason, oak wood laminate is perfect for rooms with high moisture levels, such as kitchens. For extra peace of mind, we offer fully waterproof oak laminate floors through the Aquastep brand, which may be more suited to particularly wet rooms, for example, bathrooms.
Aside from rooms with high moisture levels, oak effect flooring leaves a stunning finish wherever and is highly popular in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and conservatories.
How to choose your oak effect flooring
When it comes to choosing your floorboards, the choice can be somewhat overwhelming. Oak typically has a characteristic warm brown shade, which will create a beautiful rustic look perfect for traditional or modern homes. However, there are more options with grey oak laminate flooring or white oak laminate flooring to offer something a little different. Such neutral hues will easily complement any existing furniture or décor and work with a minimalist or vintage aesthetic.
If you’re laying flooring in a room which is particularly small or cluttered, then light oak laminate flooring will help the space appear more open and maximise the floor area. On the other hand, if you have a large room or a room which may see a lot of mess, then dark oak laminate flooring is a good way to disguise any stains while leaving a stunning finish.
How to care for oak effect laminate flooring
Once you’ve browsed our range of laminate flooring and decided on the best floor for you, it’s important to understand how to maintain your floor. As stated, oak wood laminate is one of the easiest types of floors to maintain and requires very little upkeep. The main priority is to avoid excessive moisture by wiping up any spills immediately and cleaning your floor with a damp, not wet, microfibre mop. White vinegar or a cleaning solution will help to add a good-as-new shine to your laminate.
To avoid any dirt getting on your oak, or any scratches, invest in a door matt to ensure shoes are clean before entering the room. Adding protective pads underneath heavy furniture such as chairs will also help you avoid any marks or scratches in the long term.
Browse our range of high-quality oak laminate flooring today. You can test the flooring in your home by ordering a sample for free. If you have any questions or need help choosing, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly sales team on 0330 100 0015.