Laminate flooring panels with V-groove or without – advice on which floor to choose
Although laminate panels with V-groove are more commonly found in stores nowadays, many homes also feature panels without grooves. For those facing the choice of the right panels, the presence of a groove becomes a very important factor. Therefore, in the article below, we advise on which floor to choose – laminate panels with or without V-groove?
Laminate panels without grooves and their advantages
There are several reasons why laminate panels without V-groove are still chosen. Firstly, it is an aesthetic issue. Panels without grooves create a smooth surface free of visible joints. However, this is more attractive only for certain, limited designs.
Secondly, there is a belief that panels without V-grooves are easier to clean. While personal aesthetic preferences should not be questioned, the idea that dirt accumulates more in the V-groove channels is debatable. In reality, cleaning panels with or without V-groove is no different – a vacuum cleaner and mop are sufficient.
Laminate panels with V-groove – is it worth it?
Regarding cleaning, we know that panels with V-groove are just as easy to clean as those without. Some believe that V-groove panels (also called grooved or milled) are undoubtedly more durable. The truth is that much depends on the quality of the panels chosen. Over years of use, some panels may develop slightly raised edges due to moisture, which is much less visible with V-groove panels and, due to the milling technique, also less likely to occur. The idea of creating V-shaped grooves (hence the name V-groove) was born from the desire to give floors a maximally natural look. Panels with grooves, once installed, look closer to natural wood flooring. This is especially important when choosing wood-patterned panels, such as Lyon Oak from the Smart collection. Choosing these without grooves would look very unnatural at first glance.
More V-groove panels can be found in the Smart and Ambiance collections. The V-groove is a specialized milling of the edges (two or four sides), allowing the creation of modern and stylish arrangements.
V-groove – a specialized milling technique shaping the edges so that when panels are joined, they form a "V" shape. The main features of a four-sided V-groove are imitation of natural parquet and, importantly, significantly longer durability of such laminated wood-based flooring.
