Though laminate flooring was introduced in the United States in 1996, it has been sold successfully in Europe for about 20 years.
Most people have never heard of laminate flooring and have no idea what it is. But chances are, those same people know what Pergo flooring is. Well, Pergo is laminate flooring. They were the company that first created this type of flooring, and was the first brand of laminate offered in the United States. For this reason, its name has become synonymous with laminate flooring despite the presence of about 40 other brands.
Essentially all laminates are composed of three layers.
The Surface Wear LayerThe surface layer is typically made of an extremely tough-wearing aluminum oxide. The pattern that you see as you look at the floor is actually that of a printed photograph adhered to the clear surface. Many people consider the pattern an additional layer, but for simplification, we consider them as one. Many laminates look like wood floors, but it’s merely a photograph of a wood floor applied to a melamine laminate. Because you can photograph nearly anything for a floor, there are few limitations. Most, though, are wood-, stone-, brick- and tile-based.
The core board or “carrier board” is made up of a variety of materials, depending on the manufacturer. Most manufactuers use HDF, or high density fiberboard, which is a durable engineered wood product that resists moisture. Others can have a high-density wood particle core. While the HDF may be slightly more structurally sound, the particle core absorbs glue slightly better at the joints. Both materials, if manufactured by dependable companies, provide a durable, trustworthy core.
The backing board varies depending on who makes the floor, but it ranges from a paper layer to a full plastic laminate layer. Those with a laminate or melamine backing may be better against potential water damage than those with paper backings, and the laminate is more stable.
All of these layers are fused by heat and pressure either by direct-pressure or high-pressure construction. A direct-pressure laminate (DPL) is assembled at once, then heated and pressed to form a bond. High-pressure laminate (HPL), on the other hand, involves treating the top and bottom layers separately and then fusing them to the core layer under extreme pressure. HPL is a more recent innovation and is often found in the more expensive premium brands
InstallationLaminate flooring comes in individual boards with tongue-and-groove edges, roughly eight inches by four feet long. Matching trim and molding is available.
Laminate is installed as a “floating floor.” A layer of foam is placed under the flooring and the individual “boards” are glued at the tongue and groove joint. The individual pieces of laminate flooring are not glued or nailed down to the subfloor.
With regard to subflooring, there’s lots of flexibility. Laminate can be installed over concrete, plywood, or orient srand board (OSB) subflooring. And while other forms of flooring may not be suited for some types of existing floor, laminate can be applied directly over ceramic tile, vinyl, and parquet floors. Laminate’s 1/3-inch thickness is also an asset when dealing with transitions (vs. a typical 3/4-inch, Swedish-finish wood floor). Remember, any time you install a floor, it should be at the same height as adjoining floors.
Installing laminate is easy for some and difficult for others. If you’re a skilled handy person, someone who can hang a door and do simple carpentry, you can probably do the job. However, professionals can install 90% of all laminate floor jobs in a day or less, while it can probably take you 2-3 days of hard work. If you’re not sure if the job is for you, videos are available at iFLOOR.com that can help you decide. It demonstrates how to install the floor and gives an overview of what to expect.
If you decide to have the floor installed professionally, make sure you hire a reputable company that employs licensed, bonded and skilled installers.
Reasons to Choose Laminate Where cost is concerned, professionally-installed laminate floors cost approximately the same as a Swedish-finished hardwood floor. So why choose it in the first place?
Depending on the subflooring, solid wood may not be a possibility.
Also, laminates are extremely durable and are great for homes with a high degree of foot traffic (children and pets add significantly to traffic in a home). They are incredibly easy to maintain and will not fade, even in direct sunlight.
Most laminate flooring comes with a triple warrant against wear, staining and fading. Some manufacturers also offer moisture warranties, but look closely at the warranty itself. Many are really just an extension of your homeowner insurance. But if your insurance company doesn’t cover the damage (but they usually will), the flooring manufacturer may cover a portion of it. Either way, make sure you know what you’re getting before you buy.
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