There is a wide range of laminate flooring available on the market. They offer a cost effective alternative to solid wood flooring. Advancements in technology mean they look far less artificial than they used to. However, there is a wide price range for different laminate flooring. The difference mostly boils down to durability, but there are other subtle differences, according to yourhome.ca.
The resistance of the flooring to abrasion and scratches will depend, in part, on how the laminate flooring has been manufactured. Within the industry there is a numeric scale for measuring the toughness of laminate flooring products, although this information is not commonly advertised.
The scale is called the abrasion class rating. Each product is given a rating from one to five. An abrasion rating of five means the flooring has been manufactured to suit the toughest commercial situations, where the floor is regularly in contact with shoes and work boots.
An abrasion rating of one means the floor is much less robust and would be more suited to a residential property.
Laminate flooring is not thick enough to be self supporting. Most flooring manufacturers allow for no more than ¼-inch of unevenness in a 10-foot radius, which is very flat. If a floor is more uneven that this then there is the possibility they will make a noise with every step you take.
The latest flooring news, courtesy of Floors Online.
Date : 11/02/2011
Category: Flooring Industry News