Whether you're in the early stages of laminate flooring installation or have already enjoyed your laminate floors, this guide will help protect your investment.
Understanding Laminate Construction
Before we dive into prevention, it's essential to understand what laminate flooring is made of. Laminate consists of a wear layer, a photographic image layer, a core board, and a bottom backing layer. The wear layer is designed to resist scratches and stains but is not indestructible. Protecting your floor begins when you complete your laminate floor installation.
Causes of Scratches on Laminate Floors
- Dragging heavy furniture
- Pet nails
- High heels or shoes with sharp objects
- Grime, sand, and small debris
These elements can compromise even the toughest wear layer if precautions aren’t taken.
How to Prevent Scratches on Laminate Flooring
Use Felt Pads on Furniture Legs: Place felt pads underneath the legs before moving any piece of furniture. This simple and inexpensive trick prevents surface damage after installing laminate flooring.
Add Rugs in High-Traffic Areas: Entryways, hallways, and kitchen walkways are prone to wear. Use area rugs to minimize friction and catch debris that might scratch the surface.
Keep Pets’ Nails Trimmed: Active pets can easily leave scratch marks. Regular nail trims help reduce the impact and preserve your floor’s finish.
Clean Regularly with the Right Tools: Avoid soaking your floors with water or using abrasive cleaners. Use a microfiber mop and a laminate-approved cleaner. Dust, sand, and dirt can act like sandpaper over time if not cleaned promptly.
Remove Shoes at the Door: Encourage a shoe-free policy indoors. Stones, salt, and other particles caught in shoe soles can damage your laminate.
Protective Mats Under Wheeled Furniture: Office chairs and rolling furniture should be placed on a plastic mat to prevent scratching the surface during daily use.
Keep Laminate Floors Scratch-Free With Help From Guthrie Flooring
At Guthrie Flooring, we provide expert laminate flooring installation and advice to ensure your floors last. Whether you're in Pleasant View, TN, or Springfield, TN, our team is ready to help. We proudly serve Clarksville, Nashville, and Ashland City, TN. Visit our showrooms or contact us to learn how to correctly care for your laminate floors.
