07/10/2016
of laminate flooring
is a highly detailed photographic image
that is overlaid with transparent, extremely
durable plastic laminate (similar to the
material used for counter-tops). It isn’t
until you actually touch the grout joints or
scan for natural imperfections that you
realize the flooring is not what it appears
to be..
How Laminate Flooring Is Made
The base material is a melamine/
aluminum oxide/fiberboard composite
product, often medium-density
fiberboard (MDF). A backing layer is
then added to prevent moisture seepage,
which can damage the planks.
FLOORING
ACCESSORIES
Once you have purchased your wooden
floor, you may need some accessories
that are designed to finish the overall
look of the floor.
When you are installing laminate floors,
you will need to use a floor underlay to
apply your flooring to the subfloor. Some
of these underlays are damp proof or
sound proof to suit specific requirements.
After your underlay, you may need to
look for matching profiles to hide away
unsightly edges or pipe holes.
For laminate profiles, there are skirtings ,
doorends, concaveline, t-
moulding, Stairnose moldings and door
bars . Your choice of adhesive is also an
important part of your installation tools.
From floor installation kits , sealants, and
pullbars, there are many bargain
flooring accessories on offer in terms of
installing your flooring. Also, to help
maintain your floor, it is also advisable
to look at the relevant flooring
maintenance kits. If you do your part in
taking care of your flooring, it can last
well beyond its expected lifespan.
Laminate Flooring Installation
Laminate flooring requires a reasonably
flat, smooth base such as vinyl, plywood,
tile, or hardwood flooring (but not
carpeting); a flat, smooth concrete slab is
acceptable, but it’s wise to apply a v***r
barrier before putting laminate on a
slab. Each manufacturer of laminate
flooring products offers complete
installation instructions.
How to Install
Follow the directions implicitly if you do
the installation yourself :
Before installing the material, allow it to
sit in the room for two or three days to
acclimate to the room’s humidity and
temperature. Cut the pieces using a
power saw.Be advised that strong light
glancing across the surface—such as
from a large window or patio door—may
illuminate seams; to minimize the
visibility of seams between plank-style
flooring, run the material perpendicular
to such doors or windows.If you are
installing a laminate floor in a
bathroom, you must be particularly
careful to join and seal the edges of the
planks according to the manufacturer’s
directions to prevent moisture from
seeping between or below the planks.
Also check the product’s warranty to be
sure it covers this type of
installation.Over time, ground-in dirt
will cause small scratches, so it pays to
keep laminate floors clean. Picking up
dust or loose dirt is easily done with a
dust mop or vacuum; for more in-depth
cleaning, use a damp mop or damp
towel, but don’t saturate or allow water
to stand on the floor. Do not use
abrasives or scouring powder, polishes,
or waxes.Touch-up sticks are available
from some manufacturers for deep
scratches. Following installation, it pays
to keep a few extra pieces in case
damaged areas need replacement