The following flooring installation tips are designed to help homeowners successfully complete their DIY renovation projects. At Laminate Warehouse, we understand how important proper installation…
Installation
The following flooring installation tips are designed to help homeowners successfully complete their DIY renovation projects. At Laminate Warehouse, we understand how important proper installation…
Prior to installation laminate flooring needs to acclimate on site for 48 hours by placing the unopened boxes in the same room they are to be installed. While waiting, remove the old flooring and check to ensure that the sub-floor is solid, level and dry. Prepare the area by undercutting any door jambs and closet doors to allow the planks to slide under the jamb for a custom fit. To begin the installation, place temporary spacers along the starting wall to allow for the proper expansion gap. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for laying the flooring and be sure to check each plank for its suitability for installation. There are several different techniques for installing the flooring around fireplaces, inside closets and even on stairs and valuable video resources can be found online. It is wise to plan ahead to avoid mistakes. For further installation assistance contact a Laminate Warehouse representative.
The product comes in a wide variety of dimensions and decors and is available with or without a pad attached. SPC flooring can vary greatly in quality depending on the factory and the level of quality control maintained throughout the manufacturing process. For more information about SPC flooring contact Laminate Warehouse and speak to one of our flooring experts.
Laminate offers tremendous overall value when it comes to selection, durability and cost. The initial lower cost of the flooring can provide substantial savings on sizable renovations. Easy to install click designs allow consumers to install most products themselves saving on the cost of installations. Laminate has gained a solid reputation as one of the most durable flooring choices for any residential or commercial application. Laminate floors are not prone to fading so they can be easily repaired without any difference in visual appearance once the repair is done. It is wise to purchase an extra box or two for future repairs.
The High Density Fibreboard (HDF) core of laminate is a crucial component for the longevity of the product and the denser the core, the better. The top wear layer coatings are made out of very tough materials and rated for their resistance to wearing, fading and staining. These Abrasion Class (AC) ratings will range from AC1 – AC5, with AC5 being the most durable. For most residential applications any laminate with an AC3 wear layer or higher will stand up to normal household use. It is important to note that even an AC5 wear layer is not scratch proof. E1 Certification ensures the product meets the European standard for formaldehyde emissions and CARB 2 Compliant indicates the product meets the off-gassing standard for the California Air Resource Board. Waxed edges enhance the product’s resistance to moisture and spills. Visit a Laminate Warehouse showroom for more information.
Laminate flooring is manufactured by placing a picture of wood (décor layer) onto a high density fiberboard (HDF) core, which is then covered with an extremely durable film (wear layer). These layers are laminated together under great pressure to form a plank or tile. These planks or tiles are then milled to create tongue and groove edges that allow for a click together installation. The core of laminate flooring is made out of fibreboard and the difference in the density of the core is important as it gives the flooring its strength and durability. The density (not thickness) of the core will determine how well it stands up to seasonal changes in humidity and less dense floors will expand and contract more than denser products, thereby creating more potential for gapping and buckling. Some manufacturer’s even apply a wax spray to the edges of the laminate to enhance the product’s resistance to moisture and spills.
Installing any floor starts with proper sub-floor preparation and it is imperative to ensure that the substrate you are going over is solid, level and dry. Engineered floors can be installed over concrete or plywood sub-floors using various installation methods. Over concrete sub-floors engineered flooring can be glued together (floated) or glued down using specialty adhesives. Over plywood sub-floors it can be nailed down, floated or even glued directly to the plywood substrate. Some products can be clicked together over either sub-floor with the use of a floating floor underlay. Regardless of the installation method, it is important to allow for expansion and to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for acclimation and installation.
Engineered floors are more structurally stable than solid hardwood floors and can be installed on grade, above grade and below grade. This increased stability is achieved by manufacturing the core using thin layers (plies) of wood that are laminated together and have a limited reaction to climatic change. The core is further stabilized due to equal pressure being exerted lengthwise and width-wise by running the plies perpendicular to each other. Engineered floors also offer more flexibility for installation and can be glued together, glued down, nailed down and even clicked together.
The core of engineered flooring is usually made of plywood but can also be made from high density fibreboard (HDF). The HDF core option is usually preferable for a click style as it allows for a more uniform milling of the click system design. Plywood core construction uses multiple thin layers (plies) of wood laminated together and milled to form a tongue and groove system. The core is then topped with a veneer layer of real wood varying in thickness up to 4 mm or more. Usually the top veneer is finished with several coats of polyurethane to create the desired gloss level and to help protect the floor. Oil based finishes are also available and offer consumers the ability to replenish high traffic areas without completely sanding down and refinishing the entire floor.
Engineered floors were introduced in the 60’s and have continually grown in popularity. They are composed of multiple layers of wood laminated together in the form of a plank and once installed look just like solid hardwood. The top layer (veneer) is adhered to the core and usually pre-finished at the factory although unfinished options are also available. The veneer can be made from a wide variety of wood species which can vary in width, length and thickness. The vast variations of wood species, stain colour, gloss level and texture provide unlimited possibilities for the final look of an engineered floor.
Modular vinyl flooring is sold as tiles and planks (LVT and LVP) and is available with many different installation methods including a full glue down application, a perimeter glue down application, a loose lay option and even a click together style. Loose lay vinyl is cut tight to the walls and best suited for small self-contained areas. For larger areas you can choose to use the full glue or perimeter glue option. There are even commercially rated products that have an adhesive coating applied to the back of the product at the factory, which allows for super easy installations. Pressure sensitive adhesives are even available as a roll-on application to assist the D-I-Y customer. Some types of vinyl are milled with a locking system similar to laminate flooring which allows for a click together installation. Proper sub-floor preparation is the key to a quality installation for any flooring product and even more so for vinyl. For further information contact a Laminate Warehouse representative
Vinyl flooring is the perfect choice for consumers who need a waterproof floor. It is available as modular pieces formed into wood planks and tiles and also sold as solid sheet goods. There is a wide selection of designs and decors to choose from allowing customers to create their own unique look. Vinyl is durable, easy to clean and ideally suited for kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. It is also an excellent choice for commercial applications that are subject to heavy foot traffic and excess moisture. With proper care and maintenance vinyl flooring can last for many years.
Vinyl resins and plasticizers are stirred together in a vat to make a plastisol, which is then heated to form a batter or dough like substance. When making vinyl planks or tiles this dough like substance is put through rollers and the material is squeezed into sheets. It is then covered with a print film that has the desired décor pattern. A clear layer of vinyl is mounted on top of the decor layer which provides the surface protection of the product. This top layer is referred to as the wear layer. Finally, a coating of polyurethane is applied to the wear layer, to further protect the product and to provide the desired sheen level. Some vinyl products have reinforced fibreglass cores for structural stability and some are mounted on top of composite cores for rigidity. The product is then cut in to the specified widths and lengths and for click together designs it is milled for a tongue and groove style locking systems.
Vinyl is a synthetic man-made material and is a type of plastic that is made from ethylene and chlorine. When processed, both the substances are combined to form Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) resin, commonly referred to as vinyl. Early forms of vinyl flooring were first introduced over a century ago. Today, sheet vinyl products are available for consumers that prefer no seams and are available in 9 – 15 foot wide rolls. Some of the most popular types of vinyl on the market today are Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). These modular vinyl pieces allow for easier installations by consumers and professional installers.
WPC is a floating floor and although many floating floors may share similar techniques for the general installation process, it is important to note that each and every locking system has its own unique tricks. It is recommended to carefully read the manufacturers instructions for the particular product purchased and to plan the installation carefully. With all flooring installations you should first ensure that the sub-floor is suitable and to prep the area before you begin. It is also wise to begin by first handling and practicing with a couple of planks to ensure you fully understand the unique characteristics of the product you purchased.
WPC flooring is a very durable option and is suitable for most residential and commercial applications. It is also 100% waterproof and very easy to maintain and care for. Installation is quick and easy with patented click together locking systems that save you time and money during the installation process. This product category comes in a wide variety of decors, dimensions, designs and styles making it easy to find a suitable look for even the most discerning eye.
WPC flooring consists of 4-5 layers and is made in a process that is similar to laminate flooring. However, one of the main differences between WPC flooring and what is traditionally called Laminate flooring, is the core itself. Laminate flooring consists of a core that is made with a High Density Fiberboard (HDF) which is water resistant but not waterproof. The core of WPC flooring is comprised of wood-plastic composites which are materials made of wood fiber/wood flour and thermoplastics. This waterproof core is then topped with a printed layer of Vinyl (PVC), a wear layer and a UV coating. The product is then cut into the desired dimensions and milled to provide a click together locking system.
WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composite. It is one of the most recent innovations in waterproof flooring and has grown in popularity over the last few years due to its ease of installation for both professional installers as well as the D-I-Y market. WPC flooring is available in both wood and tile shapes and designs. The rigid core is engineered to provide quick and easy installations with a click together locking system. The product comes in a wide variety of dimensions and decors and is available with or without a pad attached. WPC flooring can vary greatly in quality depending on the factory and the level of quality control maintained throughout the manufacturing process. For more information about WPC flooring contact Laminate Warehouse and speak to one of our flooring experts.
SPC is an acronym for Stone Polymer Core or Stone Plastic Composite and it is one of the latest innovations in waterproof flooring. SPC flooring is available in wood decor planks and a variety of tile shapes and finishes. The rigid core is engineered to enhance the ease of installation through a patented click together locking system.
The product comes in a wide variety of dimensions and decors and is available with or without a pad attached. SPC flooring can vary greatly in quality depending on the factory and the level of quality control maintained throughout the manufacturing process. For more information about SPC flooring contact Laminate Warehouse and speak to one of our flooring experts.
SPC flooring consists of 4-5 layers and is made in a process that is similar to laminate flooring. However, one of the main differences between SPC flooring and what is traditionally called Laminate flooring, is the core itself. Laminate flooring consists of a core that is made with a High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) which is water resistant but not waterproof. The core of SPC flooring is comprised of limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride and stabilizers and provides a core that is 100% waterproof. This waterproof core is then topped with a decor layer, a wear layer and a UV coating. The product is then cut into the desired dimensions and milled to provide a click together locking system.
Many of the benefits of SPC flooring come from the density of the core itself which is much denser than most composite core flooring products on the market. This higher density core gives the product superior impact resistance and also provides for much better dimensional stability making it suitable for installations in environments with extreme temperature variations such as sun rooms and 3 season cottages. In fact, some manufacturers even claim that their SPC products will remain dimensionally stable from -40 degrees Celsius all the way up to +40 degrees Celsius and further warrant that their products can be installed in large format installations, 100′ by 100′, without any transitions. SPC flooring is also 100% waterproof, fire resistant, durable and easy to care for.
SPC is a floating floor and although many floating floors may share similar techniques for the general installation process, it is important to note that each and every locking system has its own unique tricks. It is recommended to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions for the particular product purchased and to plan the installation carefully. With all flooring installations you should first ensure that the sub-floor is suitable and to prep the area before you begin. It is also wise to begin by first handling and practicing with a couple of planks to ensure you fully understand the unique characteristics of the product you purchased.