DuPont Laminate Flooring Offers Durable Natural-Looking Finish

DuPont Laminate Flooring Offers Durable Natural-Looking Finish

When DuPont first began selling black powder in 1802, the flooring in most homes consisted of wood or dirt. As the company's chemical business grew tremendously during the 19th and 20th century, especially after its merger with Dow Chemical, their entry into the flooring market seemed only natural. Once Pergo of Sweden introduced laminate flooring to the United States in 1994, DuPont laminate flooring was quick to follow.

The use of DuPont laminate flooring is rapidly growing due in part to the ease of installation and trend of homeowners performing most of their own improvements. The return to natural wood floors and the extended life span of many laminated products has helped DuPont laminate flooring capture a large portion of the market. Sold by home improvement stores that cater to the do-it-yourself crowd, laminate flooring is making floor renovations more affordable to a larger segment of homeowners.

There are very few areas of the home in which DuPont laminate flooring cannot be used, and it can be placed over most existing wood and tile floors without the mess of tearing out an old floor. Carpeting does not make a good base for any laminate floor and will have to be removed and installing DuPont laminate flooring on concrete is also possible, provided that any existing floor has been removed.

Installs Easily With Need For Glue

Other than the existing floor being clean, dry and flat there are few preparation needs for DuPont laminate flooring. When installing over concrete there will need to be a 6-mil thick plastic sheeting placed on the concrete as a vapor barrier. With interlocking tongue and groove panels the floor can be installed quickly and easily without the need to fasten it the sub floor. It new DuPont laminate flooring will essentially float over the existing flooring, which also help control damage due to expansion and contraction caused by the weather.

In kitchens and bathrooms, DuPont laminate flooring can help provide a much cleaner look, but cabinets should not be placed on top of the flooring. The flooring should be trimmed around any existing cabinets. On the other hand, the toilet will have to be removed with the DuPont laminate flooring installed before it is securely replaced.

In rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms, where the wood panels meet cabinets, a quality silicon sealer should be used around to edge to prevent water from penetrating under the new DuPont laminate flooring. Other than the sealant, there is no need to secure the new floor to the old one.