Laminate is mainly made from wood by products fused with resins. It is popularly used by homeowners who prefer the style of wood. However, laminate flooring is usually not waterproof and will be easily damaged if the water sits on it for a long period of time. Laminate floors are good for homes and businesses because they’re affordable, easy to install as well as easy to clean and very scratch resistant. They can also make your space look stylish and more inviting for people.
But before you decide on a specific flooring design, you should know that laminate floorings have a variety of specifications.
Here are some questions that are frequently asked before customers decide to install laminate floor:
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What is the laminate floor installation method?
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What is the maintenance like for laminate flooring?
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What is the function of underlayment?
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What is the thickness that we should go for?
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Where to install laminate flooring?
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What is the cost of laminate flooring?
Here we are going to eliminate your doubt. Before we start, here are some general introductions of laminate floor.
AC Rating for laminate flooring
Generally, there are few types of laminate flooring that are available in the Malaysia market:
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AC 1: home use with little foot traffic, like bedrooms.
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AC 2: home use with medium foot traffic, like living rooms and dining rooms.
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AC 3: home use in all foot traffic areas. This includes high foot traffic areas, like kitchen, corridors, and home offices.
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AC 4: home use in all traffic areas and can meet some commercial standards if warranted.
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AC 5: the most durable laminate available and can withstand heavy commercial traffic. For instance, it is used in department stores and public buildings.
After everyday hustle-bustle of life, homes – castle to each one of their own, serve as a welcome retreat. Laminate flooring is the most impact-resistant, castor-proof as well as impervious to cigarette burns and stains. The marks left by pens or nail polish can easily be removed basically due to the pore-free surface of the material.
Ease of Installation
Even the inexperienced homeowner can install new flooring in as little as a weekend without special tools or skills when installing laminate flooring, unlike those needed to install carpets, stone, or tile. Moreover, laminate flooring does not require waxing, sanding, polishing, or sealing to retain its beautiful appearance, making it even more useful for those with little time to spare for extensive cleaning tasks.
Durability
Laminate flooring is protected by a tough external layer and resin coating, a laminate floor is much stronger and more scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, and longer-lasting than any hardwood, vinyl, or carpet. It’s good for a home with pets and children.
Good stain resistant
Most laminate flooring manufacturers offer extensive warranty protection against stains, fading, and moisture damage.
Easy to clean
Laminate’s superior stain and moisture-resistant surface coating make spills easy to clean. This special surface doesn’t require waxes or varnishes to maintain its original look.
FAQs about laminate floorings.
Here are some questions that are frequently asked before customers decide to install laminate floor:
1) What is the laminate floor installation method?
Laminate is very quick and easy to install; you can lay down hundreds of square feet in one weekend. Older types of laminate flooring required you to glue pieces to each other, but virtually all of today's laminate flooring uses a modified tongue-and-groove system best described as ''click-and-lock'' system, in which the planks are joined in an interlocking fashion, edge-to-edge and end-to-end. This installation method also allows laminated floors to be easily replaced if damaged
Click-lock installation system
2) What is the maintenance like for laminate flooring?
No excessive water
Laminate floor is easy to take care of. Basically, we just need to clean with vacuum and broom. Floor waxing is not necessary for laminate floors. Additionally, we must avoid excessive water when mopping, which can seep into the seams between boards and causing swelling.
3) What is the function of underlayment
PE Foam underlay
Laminate floor needs a good and even subfloor just like other floorings. PE foam, Eva foam or IXPE is needed to reside between the subfloor and laminate to detach the two surfaces and providing for a softer footfall. It protects your laminate against damage and prolongs the lifespan as well as providing other benefits including noise reduction, comfort, and insulation. Laminate can make the floor feel colder in the winter, especially when it’s installed on a cold subfloor and is not quite as cold on your feet.
4) What is the thickness that we should go for?
Since laminate flooring can be installed on top of existing floors, and the optimum would be 8mm floorboards to minimize the amount of added height for house owners. However, if added durability is needed, 12mm floorboards are recommended, as they generally come with AC5 coating. You will have less impact resistance and will help to reduce the floorboard movement as well.
5) Where to install laminate?
The living room and dining room are the perfect places for installing laminates. Just be sure to use furniture protector pads under your chairs and couches to keep from scuffing the laminate surface. Make sure you buy a laminate with an AC rating that is tough enough and suit for the way you want to use your floor. And be aware that pools of standing water will cause problems with your laminate floor, just as it would with a wood floor. Clean up spills quickly and damp mop rather than wet mop your floor.
6) What is the cost of laminate flooring?
The price of laminate flooring is from RM6.50 per square foot including installation. However, this may increase depending on the AC rating and thickness. Besides that, additional work may be required to even it out before installation if the existing subfloor is very uneven.
To get a more accurate quote, you can send your requirements to Floor Culture FB page.
However, there are cons of laminate flooring too.
1) It sounds quite hollow
Since laminates tend to be thinner than timber and is installed above the subfloor, it can create a hollow and empty sound. It might be a problem if you need your own room to be quiet. However, this problem can be solved with the use of underlayment.
2) It isn’t recommended to use in the bathroom and laundry room
Laminate flooring is not waterproof. This restricts where it can be installed and has higher maintenance. Any moisture that built up underneath the flooring will cause swelling and expanding too. You can make your laminate floor more water-resistant by installing underlayment.
Last but not least, what you have to consider before you buying laminate floor?
i) Design of laminate flooring
There are a lot of laminate floors, but not the same quality. What you must do is to have a one-on-one session with the manufacturer regarding the best brands and options in order for you to know more about the different designs of laminate flooring.
ii) Choose the thickness of laminates
You have to consider is how much money you are willing to spend on your laminate flooring. The thicker the board, the more laminate will cost you. Other than that, it deepens on how noisy is the room that you stay in, better to go with the 12mm laminate flooring, vice versa.
iii) Warranty of laminates
Even if the laminate floors are strong and resistant, the one that is backed up by a warranty is the best. It depends on where you install the laminates. As mentioned earlier, there are around 10 years warranty for residential areas and around 5 years warranty for commercial areas.
By now, you might be quite clear about what to consider before purchasing laminate floorings.
Still confuse about which type of laminate flooring is right for you? Don’t be hesitate! Just get in touch with our flooring experts:
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