Laminate Flooring
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring was invented in the mid 70’s. Since then, there have been many advances which have made it one of the most popular DIY-friendly floor coverings.
The Benefits Of laminate Flooring
- Choice - There are hundreds of decors to choose from. From Brazilian Cherry to Slate tiles, all at similar prices.
- Durability - Most laminates have long guarantees against wear stain and fade. Your floor will look great for years to come.
- Ease-of-use - Many laminate floors use a glue-less 'click' joint system which makes it perfect for the DIY enthusiast.
- Maintenance - Easy to clean and no ongoing maintenance required.
Construction Types
There are two different methods of manufacturing laminate floors:
Direct-pressure (D.P.L.): The layers which make up the floor are bonded together under pressure at very high temperatures. This is currently the more popular type of construction.
High Pressure(H.P.L): Manufactured in a similar way to D.P.L., except the top and bottom layers are treated seperately. They are then bonded directly to the core board providing a stronger floor which can deal with very heavy traffic. Due to the extra manufacturing costs, high pressure laminates are usually more expensive.
Laminate is typically made of several layers which are bonded together:
- Protective wear layer(s) for a hard wearing surface.
- A photographic layer which gives the floor its appearance.
- The core is usually made of High Density Fibreboard (HDF) which provides a solid base.
- The bottom layer impedes dampness and helps with the stability of the plank.
Wear Ratings
A number of tests are applied by an independent organisation to judge a laminate’s wear qualities. A floor’s AC rating (Abrasion Class) gives a good indication of its durability:
- AC1 - Suited to lower traffic areas e.g. Bedrooms.
- AC2 - For general use e.g. Lounge, dining room.
- AC3 - Strong enough for use throughout the home e,g, hallways.
- AC4 - Can be installed in medium traffic commercial venues e.g. Restaurants.
- AC5 - Heavy commercial. Can withstand large amounts of traffic e.g. Shopping centre.
