HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

As I have discussed before, you don’t need to resign yourself to concrete floors or walls that can be power washed when you have multiple pets (and kids.) Wool carpet is a sturdy choice, but if you are looking for a hardwood but cannot afford the cost or afraid of constantly refinishing it to buff out skid marks from sliding dogs, wood laminate flooring has remained a popular option.

Laminage flooring was invented and first became popular in the alte 1970s, under the trademarked name Pergo.

As other options, there are advantages and disadvantages. The advantages and disadvantages.

• Laminate is easy to clean.
• It comes in a wide range of colors.
• Laminate does not easily scratch, nor does it need refinishing.

There are have been many concerns over the years, as originally laminate flooring was made with formaldehyde based melamine resin. Today, there is an organization, The North American Laminate Flooring Association lends a quality seal to products that meet a certain standard, including but not limited to:

• The flooring is CARB Califirnia Air Resources Board standards for formaldehyde emissions.
• It is made of wood fibers, such as wood chipboard, and is recyclable.
• No adhesives are used in installation, thus further reducing chemical use.
• The laminate flooring does not require the owner to buy specialized products or chemicals to clean their floor. They can use standard and routine household cleaners.

To be sure the laminate flooring you are looking to buy meets those standards, look for the NALFA seal when you shop, or ask about it. Laminate has sure come a far cry from the original floors, that were basically a photo print of woodgrain over synthetic materials.

I remember pergo coming in a plank look and a crisscross parquette pattern in 1970s-approrpiate dark expresso brown to match the panelling at my Grandparent’s house. Ten years later, it looked dated…but what is old is new again.

Would you try laminate now that it is more ecofriendly, or will you stick with tile for an inexpensive fix?

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