| Laminate Flooring is a multi-layered wood based floating
floor system that offers durability, a wide range of design
options, easy maintenance and affordability. Europeans have
enjoyed the benefits and features of laminate flooring for
decades. Only now is laminate flooring making a major impact in
the US and Canada. Laminate flooring is the one of the most
versatile, durable and well-constructed types of flooring on the
market today. The major attraction to laminate flooring is that
is very attractive, affordable and easy to maintain.
Types of Laminate Flooring
Laminate Flooring is available in 2 types, planks and tiles.
• Laminate flooring planks can be interlocking or tongue and
groove.
• Laminate flooring tiles have tongue and groove edges.
There are many different manufactures of laminate flooring and as the
laminate flooring producers continue to expand colors, styles
and increase quality, the growth of laminate flooring industry
will continue. However, regardless of the changes and
enhancements people may make to laminate flooring, the one
consistent is finding the best subflooring material available. .
Benefits of Laminated Flooring
Laminated flooring that is properly installed, protected and
maintained will go a long way to help your laminated floor last
as long as your home. Some benefits of a laminated floor are:
• tough and durable
• chemical resistant
• easily cleaned
• resists dropped cigarettes for a time
without burning the laminated floor
• keeps its color or design for years.
Sunlight will not fade a laminated floor
• Laminated flooring is hypoallergenic. The laminated floor
repels dust, dust mites and other allergy causing particles
• Laminated flooring is stain resistant
• Cleaning up a spill on a laminated floor is as simple as
wiping up the mess.
• Installing laminated flooring is quick and easy
• Laminated flooring requires no nails
• Comes in many different designs and colors
• Scuff marks can be easily cleaned off a laminated floor
Laminated Flooring is Available in your Nearby Home store
You can purchase a laminated floor at any major hardware store.
The price of a laminated floor varies depending on style, design
and manufacturer. Regardless of where you buy your laminated
floor you will still need a subfloor to install it on. The best
laminated floor subfloor protects against moisture and helps
lengthen the life of your laminated floor.
Laminate Flooring Ratings
Laminate floor ratings are based on a number of things. Some
items you should look for when comparing laminate floor ratings
are:
• Strength and durability of the laminate floor
• Type of laminate floor finish used
• Is it high or medium density fiber board
• AC wear and use rating
The AC wear and use rating is broken down into the following
laminate floor ratings: • AC2 -21 Moderate residential is the
lowest of the laminate floor ratings and should only be used for
low use areas such as the bedroom
• AC2 -22 General residential is good for common areas such as
family rooms and dining rooms
• AC3 -23 Heavy Residential has the highest of the residential
laminate floor ratings and can be used in all areas of the home
• AC3 -31 Moderate Commercial is the lowest of the commercial
laminate floor ratings and should be used in low traffic areas
such as hotel rooms
• AC4 -32 General Commercial can be used in all residential
areas and is also suitable for large offices and coffee houses
• AC5 -33 Heavy Commercial is the highest of the laminate floor
ratings and can be used in heavy commercial areas such as
department stores and shopping centers
Protection & Maintenance of A Laminate Floor
Protection and Maintenance of a Laminate Floor Can anyone
install a laminate floor? The answer is yes. Since the inception
of the laminate floor, its ease of maintenance and installation
has become its largest asset. Other benefits to a laminate floor
are its composition, construction and extremely hard Aluminum
Oxide wear layer. Properly installed laminate floors with a high
quality subfloor. General daily maintenance of your laminate
floor is as simple as vacuuming, sweeping or dust mopping.
Several generic cleaning solutions are also available to clean a
laminate floor. Most major laminate floor manufacturers also
have their own cleaning kits with instructions. It is very
important that you follow the maintenance schedule of the
laminate floor product you purchase. Virtually all laminate
floor warranties require specific maintenance schedules.
Laminate floor are a very durable flooring option however; they
can be damaged without the proper care and subfloor materials.
The best way to keep your laminate floor is to
understand its limitations. You must follow the maintenance
techniques and schedules of the laminate floor you purchase.
Never mop laminate floors with soap and water as the water and
is not good for your laminate floor. You should also use floor
protectors, such as felt under chairs and furniture on your
laminate floor. Even though laminate floor are fade, stain,
dent, burn and scratch resistant, it's still possible that you
may end up with a scratch, "nick" or dent in your laminate
floor. There are simple kits you can buy to repair these
problems however problems such as water damage need to be solved
before you even lay your laminate floor. Products such as a
subfloor installed below your laminate floor will keep moisture
away from your Laminate floor and allow moisture to drain away..
Installing subfloors is as simple as rolling it out and cutting
it to fit.
 Laminated
Flooring Layers
Laminated flooring may be thin but within that thin laminated
flooring, are 4 different layers. The layers for laminated
flooring are a wear layer, design layer, wood core and a
balancing layer. The laminated Flooring wear layer is designed
to be a transparent, scratch and stain resistant layer. The
laminated flooring design layer is layer with various patterns
that range from wood grains to colorful, fancy, decorative and
intricate laminated flooring designs. The laminated flooring
core layer is made from either medium density fiberboard (M.D.F)
or high-density fiberboard (H.D.F). The laminated flooring core
layer is generally manufactured with water resistant glue. The
laminated flooring balancing or stabilizing layer generally has
a melamine resin infused into it to help reduce cupping and
warping.
Moisture & Laminated Flooring Information
Laminated flooring is generally constructed using waterproof
glue but does not make laminated flooring waterproof. Because
Laminated flooring is made of fiberboard, it will absorb
moisture and swell however the waterproof glue helps reduce the
effects of swelling. The best way to eliminate moisture from
your laminated flooring is to install a subfloor first. When
moisture comes through the porous concrete it hits the air gap
created by the membrane and is simply drained away to the
drainage system.
Laminate Flooring Installation Information
Installing laminate floors eliminates the need to nail or glue
your floor in place. It is also a very attractive, low cost and
long lasting flooring option. When installing laminate floors
always adhere to all manufacturer installation and application
instructions. Installing laminate floors can be done above,
below or on grade. Installing laminate floors can be used in any
room in the house and in most commercial areas as long as they
are flat and in solid condition. Installing laminate floors can
be done over concrete, wood, ceramic tile and even your existing
linoleum floor. Even though laminate floors can be installed in
any room in the house, they should not be installed in garages
or on outside porches. The biggest reason for this is moisture.
Moisture and laminate floors do not mix. Just because your
laminate floors are resistant to moisture and water does not
mean they are unaffected by them. With this in mind, special
precautions should be used when installing laminate floors in
some areas such as bathrooms with showers or mudrooms. When
installing laminate floors you should use a vapor barrier. Some
low-density poly's used as vapor barrier Installing laminate
floors planks.. The best moisture barrier, when installing
laminate floors, is 24 mil high-density polyethylene. The
following are a few good reasons:
• Permanent Moisture protection
• Creates a drainage path for moisture
• Increases the life of your laminate floors
• Fast and easy to install
• Makes floors softer to walk on
• Environmentally friendly
• Prevents surface condensation
• Lifts floor temperature so it becomes room temperature as
opposed to concrete slab temperature
All manufacturers have specific requirements for their
products in regards to installing laminate floors, so you should
check with your manufacturer before installing the floor.
Topper International Liquidators ·
2601 John P. Lyons Lane · Pembroke Park, FL 33009
Phone: 954-454-1300 · Toll free (USA): 1-800-TOPPER-1 (867-7371)
Fax: 954-454-6730 · Email:
sales@topper.com
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