Laminate Flooring | Information on Laminate Floors

There are different ways of assessing a particular type of laminate flooring. For example, you can judge it by the type of floor it is imitating: such as hardwood, stone or tile. Then there are Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) and High Pressure Laminate (HPL) - these refer to how the laminate is made, with HPL being the stronger, more durable and more expensive of the two. There's also the various types of surfaces available for laminate floors: embossed, smooth, wood grain, distressed, patina. Or the Abrasion Class (AC) Rating which determines the floor's ability to stand up to foot traffic. These range from AC1 for moderate residential traffic, to AC5 for heavy commercial traffic.

Laminate floor installation types:

• Glued laminate: This type of laminate installation requires strong glue to be applied to the tongue and groove edges.



• Glueless laminate: Unlike glued laminate, this installation method does not require glue. Instead, the edges snap together with a tongue and groove locking system.



• Pre-glued laminate: This type of laminate floor comes with pre-glued planks, eliminating the need for adhesive. The laminate planks can be snapped into place.



• Laminate flooring with attached underlayment: These laminate planks are glueless and come with an underlayment already attached.

The surface of laminate floors can be textured to give them a more authentic look. Choose smooth laminate for bamboo, wood-grain laminate for hardwood or distressed laminate for a more lived-in appearance. When buying laminate flooring, it's important that you consider these different aspects.

To keep your laminate floor looking great and extend its life, it is important to not only keep the surface clean, but also to take certain preventative measures. Simple things will go a long way in this regard. Doormats at the entrances, keeping stiletto heels off the surface, and wiping up liquid spills immediately are all advisable preventative maintenance measures. As for cleaning, regular sweeping or dust mopping is very important. Careful use of water or other liquids is important too. However, stains can be removed with manufacturer-approved cleaning solutions.

Refer to the following 10 tips when caring for and maintaining your laminate floors.

1. Never walk on laminate floors with stiletto heels.

2. Damp mop laminate floors; never apply water directly to the surface.

3. Laminate floors cannot be sanded or refinished.

4. Avoid dragging furniture across the surface of laminate.

5. Never use abrasive, harsh cleaners or steel wool when cleaning.

6. Remove stains with a manufacturer-approved cleaner.

7. Sweep laminate floors on a regular basis to minimize the amount of surface dirt.

8. Use acetone (nail polish remover) to clean tough stains such as ink, crayons and shoe polish.

9. Use a plastic scraping tool to remove candle wax and gum that's stuck to the surface.

10. Wipe up all spills immediately.

For other tips on care and maintenance for your laminate floor, go to FindAnyFloor.com.

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of types and price ranges. Doing homework in advance is essential to getting the laminate floor that best suits your home, your lifestyle, and your budget. FindAnyFloor.com has made this easy by assembling a thorough laminate buying guide. You get a rundown of all the basics (Do you know how humidity, temperature and sunlight will affect your floor?), suitability for various rooms, budgeting, laminate types, laminate flooring accessories, installation questions to ask, where to buy and more. Armed with this information, you'll be able to make a much more informed decision when making your laminate floor purchase.

Other factors that should be considered when shopping for laminate flooring:

• Humidity and temperature - Laminate floors are made with wood materials and can incur damage as a result of moisture exposure. Some laminate floor types may not be suitable for installation in kitchens or bathrooms.



• Sunlight - Exposure to sunlight can cause laminate floors to fade and discolor. Some laminate floors have a surface wear layer that can help reduce fading.



• Traffic - Laminate floors are constructed in 1 of 2 ways: direct pressure laminate (DPL) and high-pressure laminate (HPL). HPL can withstand a higher level of traffic without damage and can be installed in most household areas.



• Children and pets - Laminate flooring can be designed to handle the wear and tear or pets and kids with ease. The appearance of scratches from pets can be minimized with color-coordinated pencils, while crayon and paint stains can be removed with acetone.



• Special needs - Laminate floor types that have an Abrasion Class (AC) rating of 3, 4 or 5 are made for high-traffic areas and commercial use, and are ideal for wheelchairs and walkers.

You can find a detailed and print-friendly laminate floor buying guide on FindAnyFloor.com.

As with all flooring types, laminate flooring can be installed by a professional or undertaken as a do-it-yourself project. If you are going the DIY route, you'll need to know about tools and materials, floor preparation, a host of tips and tricks, and putting down the underlayment. You have the choice of installing your laminate floor as glued floating or glueless floating floor. FindAnyFloor.com presents the basics of DIY laminate flooring on its site, but also has printable PDF files of both a quick guide and a full guide to laminate installation. These are printable, well laid out instructions for both the more experienced do-it-yourselfer, and for those who may need more detail to guide them. The guides are free and available to everyone.

Examples of laminate floor installation tips you can find FindAnyFloor.com:

• Never install discolored or damaged laminate floor pieces



• When installing in a multi-story building, install a foam or cork underlayment with the laminate



• Avoid chipping the surface of laminate floors by always using a carbide-tipped saw blade



• Keep the installation area free from sawdust and wood chips by cutting laminate pieces in a separate area

More often than not, even with all the preparation in the world, certain questions keep popping up when it comes to installing laminate flooring. FindAnyFloor.com saves you time and hassle by putting these questions together and providing the answers. The questions on FindAnyFloor.com are all very relevant and to the point.

Examples of questions you can find include:

Q: What are some advantages of laminate flooring?

A: Laminate floors can be a cost-effective solution for those who desire hardwood flooring. Laminate floors can also be a great do-it-yourself project for first-time installers, and can be installed on, above and below grade.

Q:What is the average lifetime of a laminate floor?
A: When properly cared for and maintained, laminate floors can last up to 30 years.

Q: Can I install laminate flooring on stairs?

A: Laminate floors can be installed on stairs. However, when installing laminate floors on stairs, it's recommended that a strong adhesive is used.

Q: Can laminate floors be installed over old carpet?

A: Laminate floors cannot be installed over carpet or carpet padding, they can only be installed over a hard surface.

Q: Is laminate flooring installation recommended for novice installers?
A: Laminate floors come in glueless or click and lock form and can be ideal for do-it-yourselfers.

With clear, concise answers that take the mystery out of installing laminate flooring, the laminate FAQ section on FindAnyFloor.com is well worth a visit for anyone considering laminate as an option for their new floor.

Laminate flooring has a glossary all its own. In reading - or talking about - laminate floors and laminate floor installation, you are likely to come across many of these terms. Not sure what a "base shoe" is? What about "delamination"? Unsure of the advantages of melamine resin? These terms and many more are included in FindAnyFloor.com's "Laminate Flooring Glossary." A quick visit will get you the definitions you need. Or if you really want to sound like a pro, you can study up on the whole glossary.

Here are some common laminate floor terms:

• Base shoe: A molding that is used to cover the expansion gap. Attaches to the base molding.


• Crowning: The result of individual floor planks expanding at the center, making the floor appear bowed.


• Delamination: A condition that occurs when the adhesive in the laminate flooring begins to wear out, resulting in layer separation.


• End cap: A trim that's used when transitioning from one flooring type to another.


• Fiberboard: A board made of vegetable fibers and wood that is pressed together under high heat and pressure. Fiberboards range in density from low, medium to high.


• Kiln: A controlled air chamber that's used to dry wood.


• Melamine Infused: Refers to floor core boards that are treated with plastic. Laminate floors that are melamine infused have increased durability and moisture resistance.


• Moisture Content: The amount of moisture in a particular floor or wood.


• Overlay: A layer that is added to the surface of a floor to increase durability and protect it from wear. The overlay can be made of materials such as metal foil, paper and plastic.


• Pull bar: A tool used to make tongue and groove joints tighter.