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Q.
What are laminate floors and how are they made?
Laminate
flooring is a versatile, durable, attractive flooring with the appearance
of a hardwood floor. Although laminate flooring looks like wood flooring,
there is actually no solid wood used in its construction. Laminate floors
are made up of several materials bonded together under high pressure. Most
laminate flooring consists of a moisture resistant layer under a layer of HDF (high density fiberboard). This is topped with a high resolution
photographic image of natural wood flooring. It is then finished with an
extremely hard, clear coating made from special resin-coated cellulose to
protect the laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is perfect for anyone
wanting a durable floor for a fraction of the price and installation time
of a hardwood floor, but with the attractiveness of real hardwood. This
construction also makes laminate flooring more environment-friendly as it
uses less wood in its construction and makes more efficient use of the
wood fiber that is used.
Q.
What is the difference between laminate flooring and hardwood flooring?
Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can beautify
a home. While hardwood is often thought to be a superior choice, there are
several advantages to laminate flooring. Distinct differences between the
two types of flooring often make laminate a more attractive alternative.
Solid hardwood of any thickness (most is 3/8" to 3/4") should be installed
only above grade. Laminate flooring can be installed above or below grade,
and over virtually any other flooring surface. Some hardwood flooring is
engineered, meaning that instead of solid hardwood, it is made of several
wood layers with a hardwood veneer. Laminate flooring, usually 7mm to 8mm
(5/16" to 3/8"), is also made of several layers. These are laminated
together which makes for stability and strength. The top surface of
laminate flooring is a photograph of hardwood. High quality photographs
faithfully reproduce the grain and color of natural hardwood, and the
surfaces on quality laminate flooring closely resemble real wood. Although
many people insist on hardwood flooring, laminates are a long-lasting,
durable, affordable option that are quickly becoming one of the most
popular types of flooring.
Q. How
do laminate floor panels lock together?
There are many types
of edge joining systems used to connect laminate flooring panels
together. Some laminate flooring connections snap together by hand while
others require a light tap with a mallet and a tapping block. Still
others use a combination of a "snap" click edge and a "bang" or "tap"
click at the end of the panels. While most of the various systems work
well to secure your laminate floor, it is important to read your
laminate flooring installation instructions carefully. Familiarize
yourself with how your flooring locks together before starting your
installation.
Q.
Where can I install laminate wood flooring?
Laminate
flooring is an extremely versatile flooring product. It can be installed
in virtually any room of your home, above or below ground, over wood or
concrete. There are several locations that are not recommended for
laminate flooring. Because laminate flooring is a wood flooring product it
is not recommended that laminates be installed in wet locations such as
bathrooms, washrooms, saunas, enclosed porches or verandas, or anywhere
that may require wet-mopping. Extended exposure to moisture of this type
may cause the core of your laminate flooring to warp or swell. In some
instances, with special installation procedures, it is possible to install
laminate floors in bathrooms where water will not stand on the floor for
any length of time. For bathroom installations, it is recommended you
apply a light bead of glue to the tongue on the planks to be used in the
areas subject to spills. Also, ensure that all spills are mopped up and
dried promptly.
Q.
What are the advantages of laminate flooring over those of solid hardwood
flooring ?
One obvious advantage is that of price; laminate
flooring is typically half the cost of traditional hardwood flooring.
Sometimes the savings are even greater, depending on the types of flooring
in question. Additionally, laminate flooring is designed to be easy to
install and is generally a good choice for most do-it-yourselfers, where
solid hardwood requires a specific level of expertise. Installing laminate
doesn't involve nails, and more recently has done away with glue as well
in many cases. Laminate flooring can therefore be installed fairly quickly
and inexpensively. Laminate flooring is generally designed to be
scratch-resistant and fade resistant, two areas where solid hardwood
flooring is known to be more vulnerable.
Q.
What do I need to know before I start installing my laminate floor?
There are several things to consider before you begin to
install a laminate floor. Careful preparation before beginning will make
installing your laminate floor a quick and easy process.
- Ensure that your subfloor is flat, dry, and smooth.
- Always use underlayment under your laminate floor for soundproofing.
- Laminate flooring and underlayment/vapor barrier can be installed
over concrete, wood flooring, vinyl tile, linoleum, tile, or virtually
any other hard, flat surface.
- Take extra care when installing laminate flooring over radiant
heating. Ensure that you read both the laminate flooring and radiant
heat system instructions carefully before beginning.
- Read your laminate flooring manufacturer's installation instructions
carefully.
- Allow you laminate flooring to acclimatize to the room where it will
be installed for as long as possible (min. 48 hours)
- Inspect each laminate flooring panel carefully for defects or damage
before installing it.
Q. What
do I have to do before installation?
Laminate flooring
boards must be acclimatized for 48 hours in the room where they will be
installed. Installation should take place at room temperature of at least
65°F (15°C). A floor surface temperature of 59°F and an overall room
temperature of 64°F must be ensured before, during and three days after
the installation.
Q.
Do I have to keep staggering the planks in my laminate flooring
installation?
The first row should be started with a full
plank, the second row with a 2/3 plank and the third row with a 1/3 plank.
The distance between joints from one row to the next for the remainder of
the installation must be 8" or greater
Q.
How do I determine the direction in which to install my laminate flooring?
To decide where to begin the layout of your floor,
consider incoming light. It is usually best to install laminate flooring
with the planks running parallel to light coming in windows or glass
doors. For any installation, the starting wall should be as long and
straight as possible.
Q. Will there be
any cutting waste?
In an average installation,
approximately 7% to 10% of the total area to be covered will be wasted for
several reasons, typically cuts, planks damaged during installation, or
errors.
Q. What is the
reason for the necessary 10mm gap left around the perimeter of the
interior and around other obstacles within it?
Because
laminate flooring is derived from wood, it is subject to expansion caused
by room temperatures and humidity levels. An expansion gap is a necessary
part of any successful installation because it allows space for the
expansion of the floor as it responds to these external influences of
temperature and humidity. When it is exposed to warmer temperatures, or to
increased humidity, laminate flooring planks expand outward. Leaving out
the essential element of an outside gap can cause the buckling of the
individual laminate flooring planks as the planks push outward against
walls or other obstacles.
Q. I
didn't get my first row straight. Can I continue?
Do not
continue. Getting the first row absolutely straight is the foundation -
perhaps the most critical part- to a successful installation. If your
first rows are not properly aligned, or the joints are not tightly sealed,
the entire installation will be compromised. (The error will magnify asr
you continue installing.) Along both sides and ends, all planks must be
parallel to each other or there will be wedge-shaped gaps between planks.
If residue is caught in the grooves, poor alignment can also result.
Remember to make sure all grooves are clean before installation.
Q. How do I
choose the right moldings?
Here is a brief guide to
moldings and their best uses for a laminate flooring project:
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