Do you need a master to manage the amount of traffic in your home? Do you find that your floors are worn down easily? Are you tired of finding scuffs and scrapes throughout the house? If so, it might be time to look into Trafficmaster Laminate Flooring.
This product claims to be one of the most durable laminate floors on the modern market. But is it worth the investment?
- What is it?
- Is it easy to install?
- Is it durable?
- What styles are available?
- How much does it cost?
- The Verdict
What is it?
Pergo, a Swedish company, invented laminate flooring in 1977 and eventually started to export the material to the United States in 1994. Because of its easiness to install and clean, it quickly became popular and spread across the country.
Most laminate flooring is made of several synthetic layers with a vinyl overall to prevent damage. Many varieties have materials designed to look like more expensive materials such as hardwood or stone, which can be difficult for regular homeowners to take care of.
Although some people have some concerns about laminate because it uses a chemical similar to formaldehyde, laminate is safe for homes, restaurants, and other businesses.
Trafficmaster is a brand manufactured by Shaw Industries, Inc, which opened in 1946. You can find this product at numerous hardware and flooring retailers, including the Home Depot.
Trafficmaster primarily produces something referred to floating laminate, which means it doesn’t need to be nailed or glued to the subfloor.
Is it easy to install?
The floating laminate produced by Trafficmaster allows you to skip several steps during the installation, which simplifies the process. Each individual section clicks together with the other boards and tiles through tongue and groove connections, forming a complete floor that doesn’t need to be attached to the subfloor below. Through this process, you can avoid unsightly screws, nails, or glue bubbles that can warp the laminate.
The pieces also snap together, which means you don’t need to use an adhesive to keep it together. The majority of the pieces should slide into place, saving you potentially hours of labor that can be better spent admiring your new floor.
The main downside is that people with a concrete subfloor need to allow it to cure for 90 days before laminate can be installed. Trafficmaster laminate additionally needs to acclimate to a new environment for several days to prevent the boards or tiles from shrinking or expanding due to the moisture in the air.
Is it durable?
Every producer of laminate floor claims to make theirs durable, but Trafficmaster genuinely is one of the most resilient brands currently on the market. The thick vinyl cover on the upper surface of each panel or tile prevents unsightly scratches, and it’s easy to buff out scuffs.
Each plank or tile available for purchase has also received certification from the North American Laminate Flooring Association and has undergone rigorous testing to demonstrate its reliability.
If you have children or pets, then you might worry about the potential for stains. Just like it’s easy to remove scuffs, it’s also easy to wipe up spills from staining materials such as orange juice, tomato sauce, food dye, and mud brought in by excited paws.
The main thing you have to watch out for in terms of durability, though, is how much you spend at the beginning. Trafficmaster makes many varieties of laminate flooring that range in price. A cheaper product that costs the same as a single stick of gum will not be as hardy as one that cost more per square foot. Despite this drawback, you can still expect your Trafficmaster floor to last for several years as long as it is well-maintained.
What styles are available?
It’s time to let your interior designer out to play. Trafficmaster sells a limited selection of products with 46 varieties of wooden laminate. You can choose from a range of popular materials, including walnut, oak, and hickory. Interested individuals can also find less common types such as cherry.
Unlike some manufacturers, Trafficmaster strives to ensure that no two planks or tile look the same, so your floor looks similar to natural wood. The textured surface adds to this illusion.
Another important factor is the edges. You might have experienced the irritation of V edges, which can leave grooves in the floor which collect dust. To avoid these problems, Trafficmaster laminate features square or beveled edges which lock together with a tongue and groove mechanism. These styles are more seamless and easier to clean than other types.
Ultimately, you might not find the perfect style for your home, but you’re bound to find one you like.
How much does it cost?
Now comes the question most people dread to answer: How much will new flooring set you back?
Trafficmaster is actually one of the more affordable brands for laminate flooring. Because the company primarily produces its products using synthetics and thinner layers, most styles can be bought for $0.50 to $2.00 per square foot.
The majority of laminates can additionally be purchased with either a lifetime residential, limited commercial, or 15-year residential warranty, so it’s easy to replace pieces which are damaged by accidents. If your pets decide to run through your living room so it looks like a tornado spun through the area, then you can most likely order a replacement.
Since you don’t have to buy nails or adhesives, you also save money on installation costs, which leaves you with more money to find furniture that will match your new floor.
The Verdict
It’s time to master the traffic in your home by potentially investing in Trafficmaster laminate. This product is less expensive than some other varieties of laminate on the market and is rated efficient for areas exposed to moderate foot and paw traffic.
One thing you want to consider before purchasing this product is that it is mid-grade. It’s not quite the handmade, artisan cupcake you can find at the nifty corner bakery, but it’s also not the week-old stale muffin. Overall, Trafficmaster is average, with limited styles and reliable materials.
Do you have a different opinion or would like to reaffirm what was said here? One way you can help people choose the flooring which is right for them is to share your experiences, pictures, and videos here on this website or through social media.
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