learn more about laminate flooring
Want to learn to take care of your laminate flooring? Get some answers here.
As with any product, the differences between laminate flooring are many. So, what makes one laminate floor better than another? Depending on the use of the space, such items as Construction, Wear Layer, Core Construction, and Warranties all need to be considered prior to purchase. These items will determine how well the product performs. Discuss these with your sales professional along with the desired visual.
Construction: There are two distinct manufacturing methods: high-pressure and direct pressure lamination.
High-pressure lamination, the bottom and top layers are separately heated and pressurized into a laminate structure. These layers are then fused to the core under heat and pressure. This is a much more expensive process and adds strength to the overall product.
Direct-pressure lamination is where the layers are assembled all at once then filled with hardening melamine resins using heat and pressure. High-pressure lamination, the original method, is more impact- and dent-resistant while direct-pressure laminates are more economical and offer very good quality overall.
Wear layer: The top wear layer of laminate is typically made of aluminum oxide while the pattern of the flooring is a photograph applied to a melamine laminate base. The aluminum oxide wear layer provides incredible strength against most scratches. The melamine keeps the floor from staining and discoloring from direct sunlight.
Center core: The center core should always be made of a smooth high-density fiberboard. The core adds impact resistance and forms the tongue and groove locking system. Some manufacturers, to improve moisture resistance of the core, also impregnate melamine plastic resins in the core. Melamine is a plastic-like resin used throughout the construction process to add durability, and stability to laminated planks and tiles.
Backings: The backing board varies depending on the manufacturer’s discretion- but it ranges from a paper layer to a full plastic laminate layer. The backing is constructed of a heavy layer of melamine foil. The backing is primarily used as a balancing agent to stabilize the board in order to stop cupping and bowing. In addition, it also has water resistance qualities. Dimensional stability is much greater with a solid laminate backing than it could ever be with just paper. Those with laminate backing provide better protection against potential water damage than those with paper backings.
Quality of installation is as important as the product chosen to insure the desired look, proper performance, and longevity of your chosen floor covering. Dalene Flooring is the only Armstrong Elite Flooring Dealer in Connecticut which ensures our sales and installation staff is properly trained in today’s laminate floor covering.
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