Laminate Flooring Installation

• Shaw Laminate
• Berry
  

• Columbia Laminate
• Mannington Laminate
  

• Alloc
• Pergo
  

• Quick-Step Uniclic
• Wilson Art

The Surface Wear Layer

The Core

The core board or “carrier board” is made up of a variety of materials, depending on the manufacturer. Most manufacturers use HDF, or high-density fiberboard, which is a durable engineered wood product that resists moisture. Others can have a high-density wood particle core. While the HDF may be slightly more structurally sound, the particle core absorbs glue slightly better at the joints. Both materials, if manufactured by dependable companies, provide a durable, trustworthy core.

Backing

The backing board varies depending on who makes the floor, but it ranges from a paper layer to a full plastic laminate layer. Those with a laminate or melamine backing may be better against potential water damage than those with paper backings, and the laminate is more stable.

All of these layers are fused by heat and pressure either by direct-pressure or high-pressure construction. A direct-pressure laminate (DPL) is assembled at once, then heated and pressed to form a bond. High-pressure laminate (HPL), on the other hand, involves treating the top and bottom layers separately and then fusing them to the core layer under extreme pressure. HPL is a more recent innovation and is often found in the more expensive premium brands.

Why Choose Laminate?

Where cost is concerned, professionally installed laminate floors cost approximately the same as a Swedish-finished hardwood floor. So why choose it in the first place?

Depending on the subflooring, solid wood may not be a possibility.

Also, laminates are extremely durable and are great for homes with a high degree of foot traffic (children and pets add significantly to traffic in a home). They are incredibly easy to maintain and will not fade, even in direct sunlight.

Most laminate flooring comes with a triple warrant against wear, staining, and fading. Some manufacturers also offer moisture warranties but look closely at the warranty itself. Many are really just an extension of your homeowner's insurance. But if your insurance company doesn’t cover the damage (but they usually will), the flooring manufacturer may cover a portion of it. Either way, make sure you know what you’re getting before you buy.

Laminate Limitations

At North Shore Carpet & Flooring, Inc. (NSCF), we don’t recommend installing laminates in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. Water on the top layer will not damage it as it would hardwoods, but problems can develop when moisture works its way along the edges or underneath. With some installation modifications, laminate can work for a wet area. But do check with the installer. In general, though, we recommend tile or vinyl for wet areas.

Another issue, which some people consider a limitation, is strictly a matter of personal choice. Because laminate is a floating floor, it produces a slight tapping sound as you walk on it. Some manufacturers have introduced acoustical padding to muffle the sound with varying results. It’s a good idea to test it by walking on a dealer display floor and imagining how it will sound in your home. We recommend cork underlayment for any floating floor as the BEST method of reducing the echo effect or tapping sound.

Learn More About

312 Flooring

Serving Lake County, IL, 312 Flooring LLC specializes in carpet, luxury vinyl, hardwood, and laminate flooring. Quick turnaround times. Affordable pricing. Financing available. Call today.