Laminate Flooring
What are laminate floors?
Laminate flooring (also known as floating wood tiles in the United States) is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product bonded by a laminating process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic application layer under a transparent protective layer. The inner core layer usually consists of melamine resin and fiberboard. There is a European standard No. EN 13329:2000 that specifies requirements and test methods for laminate floor coverings.
Laminate floors have gained considerable popularity, perhaps because they can be easier to install and maintain than more traditional surfaces such as hardwood floors. They may also have the advantage of lower cost and less installation skill than alternative flooring materials. It is quite durable, hygienic (several brands contain antibacterial resin) and relatively easy to maintain.
Advantages of laminate flooring
- durability
- laminate is easier to clean
- appearance
- laminate is cheaper than wood
- laminate floors are easy to install
Disadvantages of laminate flooring
Like any material, it also has some disadvantages. But don’t worry, there aren’t many.
- Potential moisture damage to laminate flooring.
Laminate flooring is made from a composite material called high-density fiberboard (HDF), which can be more susceptible to water damage than natural wood. - Laminate floors cannot be refinished.
Hardwood can be refinished many times to look fresh and new.
Installation
Laminate floors are fairly easy to install for do-it-yourselfers. Laminate floors are packaged as a series of boards with protrusions and grooves that can be snapped one into the other. Sometimes glue is provided for ease of installation. Installed laminate floors usually “float” above the subfloor on a foam/foil backing that provides moisture and sound dampening properties. A small (1-10 millimeters (0.039-0.394 inches)) gap is required between the floor and any immovable object, such as walls, allowing the floor to expand without obstruction.
Skirting boards can be removed and then reinstalled after the floor is finished being laid for a neater finish, or skirting boards can be left in place with the floor trimmed to them, and then small moldings such as molded skirting boards or larger quarter-round moldings can be attached to the undersides of the skirting boards. Saw cuts on the boards are usually required at the edges and around cabinet and door entrances, but professional installers usually use saws to undercut door frames to cut a space at a height that allows the floor to pass under the door frame and door casing for a cleaner look.
Care
Self-adhesive felt pads are often placed on the legs of furniture on laminate floors to prevent scratches.
It is important to keep the laminate clean, as dust, dirt and sand particles can scratch the surface over time in high-traffic areas. It is also important to keep the laminate relatively dry, as water/moisture can cause the boards to swell, warp, etc., although some brands come with water-resistant coatings. Water spills are not a problem if they are wiped up quickly and do not linger for a long time.