Do you want to update your worn floors? Have you always been interested in hardwood flooring but your budget doesn’t allow for such an upgrade? Have you considered Harmonics flooring? People the world over are using Harmonics laminate flooring as the perfect option to upgrade their current floors on a budget! But what makes this laminate so popular?
In general, laminate flooring is easy to install, effortless to clean, and with its non-porous surface is also stain resistant. Unlike carpeting, laminate floors don’t absorb dirt or spills. But with all the different types of laminate flooring on the market, which would be a good option to invest in? Which laminate flooring option will give you the best value for money?
Harmonics flooring is the answer to all your questions.
Harmonics laminate flooring is a stylish, economical, and eco-friendly alternative to original hardwood flooring. Installation costs are at least 50% cheaper than costs for hardwood installation.
But if you’re not very familiar with Harmonics flooring, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, in my article today, I’m going to discuss some of the ins and outs of Harmonics flooring. I’ll share the pros and cons, the warranty details, and a few suggestions to make installation simpler.
I’ll also answer a few of the most common questions about Harmonics laminate flooring.
Harmonics Flooring: Product Information
- What Exactly Is Harmonics Flooring?
- Where Can Harmonics Flooring Be Purchased?
- How Many Designs Are Available?
- How Do I Prepare My Subfloor For A Harmonics Flooring Installation?
- How To Install Harmonics Flooring?
- How Is Harmonics Flooring Cleaned And Maintained?
- How Will Sunlight Affect Your Harmonics Flooring?
- Can Harmonics Flooring Be Slippery?
- Can Harmonics Flooring Make Bubbles?
- What Happens When Your Harmonics Floorboard Starts Peaking?
- Pros And Cons Of Harmonics Flooring
- Summary Of Warranty, Returns, And Damage Policies
- FAQs About Harmonics Flooring
- A Final Thought About Harmonics Floors
If you’re investing your time and money into something that will be installed in your home, it would be a good idea to know exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
Let’s have a look at some of the key product features that make Harmonics flooring products so popular.
What Exactly Is Harmonics Flooring?
Harmonics flooring is a type of adhesive-free laminate flooring that doesn’t have to be adhered to the subfloor. This type of laminate is made up of 10-millimeter laminate with a two-millimeter underlayment.
Generally, laminate flooring simulates wood or even stone, with a photographic appliqué layer. A clear protective layer covers the existing layer to give it a shiny, protective finish.
Harmonics flooring is extremely popular with customers because of its superb water-resistant properties and lifetime warranty.
Where Can Harmonics Flooring Be Purchased?
Harmonics flooring is Costco’s own in-house brand and is sold in stores and online. This type of flooring shares the Mohawk- and Prego-patented water-resistant technology.
This technology claims to keep the product safe from spills for up to 24 hours. That means, if you spill water on the floor, there won’t be any staining or water damage provided you clean it up within 24 hours.
Costco sells its laminate material in pre-packed boxes. The cost reflected on the company’s website is the cost of the laminate kits per box. These prices average between $25 to $100 per box at Costco. That works out to an affordable price of $1.99 per square foot.
How Many Designs Are Available?
Since it features a woodgrain pattern, Harmonics laminate offers a limited selection when it comes to design and color. It’s available in four patterns:
- Windsor oak: The pattern is made of softwood and hardwood graining and is mostly made of brown hues.
- Harvest oak: With its dark honey color, this option offers a bold, grainy pattern.
- Vineyard cherry: Reddish-brown hues are merged to create different patterns.
- Golden aspen: This option features different honey-toned shades to make up different patterns.
How Do I Prepare My Subfloor For A Harmonics Flooring Installation?
Once you’ve chosen your favorite Harmonics design, you will need to prepare your original floor for laminate installation. Failing to prepare your original floor properly will result in your Harmonics laminate not yielding the desired effect.
Laminate needs to be installed using a method referred to as the floating method. This means flooring materials are locked together, creating a very tight bond. This is very similar to the way you’d put a puzzle together. This type of bond creates a stale floor without any permanent attachment to the floor.
Should the existing subfloor be uneven, it needs to be leveled out completely. If you are installing your Harmonics laminate on a tiled surface, you need to ensure grout lines are filled in. Once the floor is evenly flattened, it needs to be properly cleaned.
All dust, debris, and loose dirt must be swept out and the entire surface cleaned. Ensure that the floor is structurally sound and clear of any loose nails or screws. It’s important to ensure that parts of the floor that might have been previously damaged by moisture are repaired before the laminate is installed.
Leave the floor to dry completely. Once that’s done, you’re ready to begin the easy installation process!
How To Install Harmonics Flooring?
Installing Harmonics flooring is relatively easy if you follow these simple steps:
- Begin by installing the laminate against a prominent wall. Work towards the opposite wall.
- Select the boards for the first row. Use a table saw to cut off the tongues of the boards.
- Place the spacers that are included in the kit between the side of the boards and the wall.
- A tapping block is also included in the kit, which makes joining the boards a lot easier.
- Simply lay one of the boards flat next to another one. Align the block on the outer end of the board you’re going to install.
- Tap the block to join the boards.
- When you have completed the first row, it’s crucial to crosscut the first board of the second row in a way that will make its end more than 6 inches from the end of the board next to it.
- Creating this type of staggering pattern will help to create stability. It also improves the general appearance.
- The boards are joined by clicking together side-by-side and continuously using the tapping block.
- Use the pull bar in the installation kit to pry boards together at the edges of the walls where space doesn’t allow for the block to be used.
How Is Harmonics Flooring Cleaned And Maintained?
Since Harmonics flooring has the same stylish look of hardwood, it’s easy to clean and maintain. Simply start by sweeping up all the dirt and loose debris with a soft-bristled broom. The next step would be to lightly wash it with a damp mop.
A word of advice here is to be careful not use too much water when mopping the floor. Open windows or doors in the room for the floor to get enough ventilation to dry thoroughly. There is no need to wax the floor, as mopping the floor should leave the surface as shiny as it was when first installed.
How Will Sunlight Affect Your Harmonics Flooring?
Harmonics laminate flooring, like other laminates, will fade over time. Fortunately, modern laminate flooring has a UV-resistant layer on the surface of every plank. High-quality laminate will slow the effects of UV rays on the floor’s surface.
A tip here would be that if your floor receives direct sunlight during the day, to draw the curtains during these hours to reduce harmful exposure.
Can Harmonics Flooring Be Slippery?
One of the most common problems with laminate floors is that it’s very easy to slip and fall on the surface when it becomes wet. A common way avoiding such accidents this is to ensure that spills are cleaned up as soon as they happen.
Laminate floors can also be slippery when they’re dry, especially after a wash. A tip to overcome this is to consider placing a narrow runner across the floor or between rooms to create some traction. Using a narrow runner will ensure you can still enjoy the elegance of your new floors!
Can Harmonics Flooring Make Bubbles?
Don’t be tempted to leave spills on the floor because there’s a 24-hour threshold before the water can cause damage. Leaving the spill on the floor could lead to liquid seeping into the seams between each floorboard. This will eventually lead to bubbles in the boards. This not only makes your floor unsightly but will also lead to further damage.
The best way to avoid bubbling is to ensure that spills are cleaned immediately. Once the damage has occurred, the only solution will be to replace the boards. Another tip to remember would be to order extra boards than you need in anticipation of future incidents. Don’t assume the seller will still have stock available down the line when you need a few extra planks.
What Happens When Your Harmonics Floorboard Starts Peaking?
Peaking or crowning refers to the floorboards lifting at the seams. This can often be caused by extremely wet or dry climates. Laminate, like other materials, needs to move when the temperature changes. Increased humidity affects the way your laminate boards expand and contract. When there isn’t enough space between the boards to move, the boards start lifting at the seams.
The best option to prevent this is to create an adequate expansion gap around the space where the laminate has been installed. These gaps, known as expansion gaps, will allow your laminate boards to expand and contract as humidity and temperature changes.
Pros And Cons Of Harmonics Flooring
When it comes to comparing the pros and cons of Harmonics flooring, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. Let’s have a look at some of these points.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- Lifetime residential warranty
- Price is reasonably competitive
- Underlayment is pre-attached
- Attractive style
- Easy and secure installation
- No fasteners or adhesives required
Cons
- Can only be purchased from Costco
- No commercial warranty available
- Design choices can be limiting
Summary Of Warranty, Returns, And Damage Policies
The type of warranty a manufacturer adds to their product usually gives the consumer a clear indication of the faith invested in the product. Substantial warranties offer customers peace of mind about the product they are planning on investing in. This is more so when the product is an investment toward their home.
It’s very comforting to know that Harmonics flooring has a lifetime residential warranty. Another bonus is that it’s made in the United States, making it a local product intended for local consumers.
According to the warranty, Harmonics laminate flooring won’t be damaged by spills, provided they are removed within 24 hours. The SplashDefense feature also enhances resistance to staining. It’s advised that you clean up spills as soon as possible to not only enhance the life of your product, but also to avoid slip-and-fall injuries.
Unfortunately, there is no commercial warranty available. So you might want to consider a different type of flooring if you’re looking for something for a high-traffic office environment.
It’s important to establish if the seller will refund or exchange any broken parts in the installation kit.
When it comes to customer service, consumers rate Costco very highly on the service scale. The company’s website offers a few self-service options that will facilitate any laminate-related queries.
FAQs About Harmonics Flooring
- Is It Cheaper To Carpet Or Laminate Floors?
- Is Harmonics Flooring Good Quality?
- Does Harmonics Flooring Have Its Own Underlayment?
- How Durable Is Harmonics Flooring?
- What Tips Will Make Installing Harmonics Flooring Easier?
- Is Harmonics Laminate Eco-Friendly?
- Can You Tell The Difference Between Harmonics Laminate And Hardwood?
Is It Cheaper To Carpet Or Laminate Floors?
A big advantage of laminate flooring is that it’s extremely durable. Not only does it last longer, but it’s also easier to clean. Cleaning simply involves a damp mop. Harmonics laminate is less likely to suffer weather damage than carpeting. While carpets are generally cheaper, Harmonics laminate floors are a better choice in terms of durability and maintenance.
Is Harmonics Flooring Good Quality?
Customer reviews are very positive regarding this product. Homeowners find it simple to install. It’s water resistant and doesn’t chip easily. In general, Harmonics laminate flooring is an excellent option for homeowners who can’t or don’t want to spend too much on upgrading their floors. So you can have the stylish look of a hardwood floor at a fraction of the price!
Does Harmonics Flooring Have Its Own Underlayment?
Yes, Harmonics laminate has a 2mm underlayment, which is added to provide comfort underfoot. It also serves to provide a reasonable amount of insulation against heat, moisture, and sound. It’s recommended that laminate always be installed with underlayment. This underlayment provides a comfortable feeling underfoot.
How Durable Is Harmonics Flooring?
Harmonics laminate flooring is a popular choice among consumers specifically for its longevity and durability. Unlike real hardwood floors, laminate will very rarely scratch, dent, or stain. As long as you install and maintain your flooring in the correct manner, your floors will remain durable.
What Tips Will Make Installing Harmonics Flooring Easier?
Since I’ve already covered the step-by-step installation process in the section above, let’s look at a few tips to make installation easier.
- Harmonics floors, while generally resilient, can be prone to chipping during installation. To avoid this, I suggest cutting them from the back whenever possible.
- It’s also a good idea to use a serrated blade with more than 60 teeth, which will also help prevent chipping.
- Another good tip is to use masking tape along the direction that needs cutting. Simply cut through the masking tape, and your plank won’t chip.
- Remember to plan for baseboards. These cover any gaps around the edges and also serve to hold the actual floor down.
Is Harmonics Laminate Eco-Friendly?
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulates that all laminate floors should be environmentally friendly. It contains 74% pre-customer reprocessed material. Recycling old laminate ensures that very little ends up in landfills.
Can You Tell The Difference Between Harmonics Laminate And Hardwood?
It’s not strikingly obvious to tell the difference between a good quality laminate and hardwood floors. In general, Harmonics flooring will have a repeating pattern whereas hardwood is made from solid wood meaning each plank will be unique. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean you have an inferior product.
A Final Thought About Harmonics Floors
I hope this article provided you with all the information you need to consider choosing Harmonics laminate flooring for your next upgrade. Not only is Harmonics flooring quick and easy to install, but it also offers exceptional durability.
Since laminate floors are environmentally friendly, they also provide relief to allergy sufferers because they’re not made from allergy-causing toxins. Easy cleaning and maintenance is an added bonus.
Harmonics laminate floors provide excellent value for money because they’re easily more affordable than carpeting or hardwood flooring. Inexpensive Harmonics flooring is definitely a good investment and an elegant way to give your dated floors a new lease on life!
Have you recently installed Harmonics laminate flooring in your home? What type of experience did you have? Please share your thoughts in our comment section below. And feel free to share any additional tips you may have learned from your installation!
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