We’ve put together some interesting and informative information about laminate flooring materials to help you understand the various types on the market today. Unfortunately, the terms used to describe these can get a little confusing, we’ll clear up the confusion and give you a description of each type and outline it’s benefits and drawbacks.
Technically, all this means is a flooring material made up from layers, it does not really indicate the materials used in the product itself, but this term is generally used to describe the artificial ‘plastic’ laminates (see in the section below) Laminate flooring is a tongue and groove system, which is installed on top of your existing subfloor, it is usually referred to as a ‘floating floor’ because although the boards are fixed to each other, they are not fixed to the floor underneath. The joints of each board are in some cases glued, but many of the popular laminate systems feature a glueless locking system and are simple to fit together. One of the market leaders 'Quick Step' produce the superb 'Uniclic' locking system, which is one of the best available. This gives the added advantage that the boards could be lifted if required, although in some cases this is not practical.
What most people know as ‘laminate’ is usually the artificial version, meaning that the actual wear surface of the board is not wood. This type of board is in some ways similar to some kitchen worktops, the main differences are that the flooring laminates have extra resin to protect the decorative surface underneath. This make plastic laminates many times harder than their worktop cousins, and makes them an ideal flooring material. These floors are very practical in domestic locations, are easy to clean and don’t scratch easily. Even though these materials are very tough, it’s always worth treating them with care as if damaged, they cannot be easily repaired.When selecting a laminate flooring product, it’s worth noting that because the surface is not wood, it’s possible to get different finishes to the decorative surface of the board, some of the more budget products can have a ‘flat’ effect where there is no grain, whilst others have a realistic grained effect. Plastic laminates are now available in other designs such as ceramic tile effects, stone, and marble, but the majority of ranges feature wooden effect boards. The usual terms used, include ‘Three Strip’ and ‘two strip’, indicating the amount of pieces in width that the board appears to be made from. ‘Plank’ boards are all of one colour, each representing a separate complete panel. Artificial plastic laminates are very colour fast, making them suitable for sunlounges or conservatories where bright sunlight is a factor. It’s worth understanding that because of the artificial nature of the plastic laminates, that the visual effect is not a random one, and since the boards are ‘printed’ there are only so many variations per pack. For this reason, plastic laminates are not quite as realistic as the real wood alternatives, and boards with the same exact design or layout (called a screen) would be found many times within a room. In real terms this is rarely noticed, but worthwhile for the first time DIY’er taking a little time to mix up the boards from several packs, and to be sure not to fit two consecutive identical boards. When shopping for laminate, always consider that part of the money you pay goes towards the actual engineering of the boards, the more you pay, the finer the tolerances of the machining, and the tighter and neater the boards will fit, reducing the risk of damaging a board should it sit slightly proud of it’s neighbour. Diy fitting of better quality laminate is easier and clip-together joints are more durable and in some cases re-useable several times. Plastic laminates, like most laminates are not water proof, and will be damaged by water standing on their surface if it is allowed time to penetrate down the gaps inbetween the boards. Normal spillages should not cause a problem providing they are wiped up quickly. Due to the risk posed by water, we recommend not to fit any laminate product into wet areas of the home such as the bathroom or kitchen. For areas where there is condensation or risk of water leak, a quality vinyl floorcovering is preferable.
Often known as ‘engineered’ or ‘structured’ wood laminate. In the case of the real wood laminates, a strip of wood around 1/8” thick is attatched to several layers of backing called ‘plies’ these backing strips make up the rest of the thickness of the board, which are often a similar thickness to that of the artificial alternatives. These natural products feature wear layers of real oak, cherry, maple, and many more woods, all finished with a protective lacquer to protect the surface of the wood. These laminates are affected by light, colours can change over time, it’s even possible to detect a change in colour behind furniture or under a rug that has been in place for some time. Real woods are much softer than the plastic laminates, and are much easier to mark and scratch. The wheels on vacuum cleaners, dogs claws, or a set of dropped keys are all able to mark or scratch your real wood floor, and dints can be caused by the impact of a heavy object. Your personal preference and style of your home will help you determine which option suits you best. Traditional homes tend to suit the natural wood versions, whilst owners of modern properties tend to go for the artificial laminates as they do not show the affects of ‘ageing’ like real wood…..the choice is yours ! Real wood flooring can be repaired by a skilled craftsman, and the whole floor can be sanded and re-finished when it has become too marked or worn. The thickness of the wear layer will determine how many times this operation can be performed. Many people prefer the truly natural look of a real wood laminate floor, it has a warmer feel than artificial flooring, and contains all the original markings of the timber, but beware, due to the totally random effect, it is sometimes possible to get a single board with a very much darker panel than the rest, again, DIY’ers should be careful to stand back and take a look at the part finished floor after every few boards, in order to be sure that you are happy with the colour and layout of the boards, that way, any that stand out due to unusual natural markings or contrasting colours can be removed and replaced in a less conspicuous area of the room. Always ensure that the laminate flooring you buy is from a reputable manufacturer, better qualities always look and perform better, and are a great investment for your home, budget offers are best avoided, as although they sound cheap, they can often turn out to be an expensive mistake. As with many things, you really do ‘get what you pay for’ ! Again, as with the artificial laminate, real wood laminate flooring is not suitable for kitchens or bathrooms, vinyl floorcoverings are recommended for these areas
Solid wood is the traditional and oldest type of wood flooring, usually consisting of a ¾” thick solid board, this is not to be confused with laminate flooring, it is many times more expensive, and generally out of reach of the diy enthusiast.
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