Laminate Wood
Laminate floors offer an authentic wood and stone look at a fraction of the price. Using impressive photo technology, laminate is created using a photo image of a wood or stone floor in between a protective layer and high density backing layers. Available in a wide variety of designs, laminate is a versatile floorcovering and easy to keep clean.
Laminate Flooring is a manufactured wood which is finished with a real wood or stone effect.
Laminate Flooring is manufactured in layers. The bottom layer is designed to resist moisture from the ground beneath that could cause the boards to warp or rise. Above this is a high-density fiberboard. The next layer has a high-resolution image is applied to it to give the appearance of real wood or stone. Some laminates also have a texture added to it to enhance the look and make it more natural. The top layer is the wear layer, this clear coat protects the design from fading, scratches and everyday wear and tear.
One of the key benefits of laminate is their click system, this makes them easier and quicker to install.
WHY CHOOSE LAMINATE FLOORING?
Laminate is durable and hard wearing and is less likely to dent and scratch than Engineered wood flooring. This alongside it’s easy to clean surface makes it an ideal choice for busy households. A lot of people choose laminate due to it being a cost-effective alternative to wood flooring as it is a lot cheaper to purchase and install.
As the manufacturing process of laminate has developed and due to the use of state-of-the-art machinery, laminate looks more and more like real wood and stone - it can be difficult to distinguish between it and a real wood floor.
IS LAMINATE FLOORING SCRATCH RESISTANT?
General wear and tear from every day use should not show itself in your flooring. However, be careful when moving furniture and heavy/sharp items along your floor as this could cause scratches. We do advise you to use felt pads on the bottom of furniture e.g. chairs, couches etc. to avoid this occurrence.
ARE LAMINATE FLOORS WATER RESISTANT?
Laminate flooring is resistant to spills and splashes, but it is not suitable for the bathroom and kitchen environment where humidity and water spills are quite frequent as this may distort and damage your laminate floor. Any spillages must be cleared up immediately.
THICKNESS
The thickness of our laminate flooring varies from 6mm to 12mm. The thicker the floor, the easier it is to FIT, the quieter the floor is to walk on and better the durability.
WHERE CAN I FIT LAMINATE IN MY HOME?
You can install laminate flooring in living rooms, passages and bedrooms. Our ranges of laminate range are not suitable for bathrooms due to the added moisture content in the room which could lead the flooring to warp.
WHICH DIRECTION SHOULD I FIT MY LAMINATE FLOOR?
Your floor should be fitted in the direction of the main light source.
CAN I INSTALL UNDER-FLOOR HEATING UNDER LAMINATE FLOORING?
Yes, laminate flooring can be fitted over Under-floor heating systems. We would recommend that the underfloor heating be regulated to a maximum of 25 ‘C in order to stop excessive expansion in you flooring.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BEFORE/AFTER FITTING MY LAMINATE?
Before you lay your laminate:
Ensure your floor is level and dry to avoid any damage to the boards. Open all your boxes up and let it breathe and acclimatize to your home for at least 24 hours prior to installation. Once you have fitted your laminate, try and keep your rooms at a constant temperature of around 18-26 Degrees for 24 hours to let your flooring settle.
SHOULD I LEAVE AN EXPANSION GAP WHEN FITTING LAMINATE?
Yes, a 10mm expansion gap should be left at each edge to allow for heat and humidity changes.
WHAT DO I NEED TO USE/DO TO LAY MY LAMINATE?
Before fitting your Laminate wood floor you will need to make sure all debris has been cleared, that the substrate is as level as possible (Class 1) and the substrate is at the correct humidty/moisture level for wood flooring (Romus Moisture meter >3.0). If you have a concrete substrate you must always put down a damp-proof membrane (DPM) or Combilay to stop any moisture coming through.
To keep your laminate in tiptop condition, you simply need to regularly sweep or vacuum the surface to avoid any build up of grit or dirt, which could scratch, wear or damage your laminate.
We would advise you to use felt pads underneath your furniture to avoid any scratches.
Against wearing high heels whilst walking across your laminate to avoid any indentations.
If any spills occur on your laminate, you must ensure that they are immediately cleaned up using a dry cloth so the moisture doesn’t soak into your floor. Using a wet cloth or mop should be avoided as the moisture could cause your laminate to expand or even warp if it seeps between the board joins.