It is a standards developing organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop voluntary consensus standards for laminate flooring materials, and it has established testing and performance criteria that are used in North America. The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) is a trade association of laminate flooring manufacturers and laminate flooring manufacturer suppliers in the United States and Canada. Quality glueless laminate floors use joining mechanisms which hold the planks together under constant tension which prevent dirt entering the joints and do not need "tapping" back together periodically. It is important to "tap" the planks back together using the appropriate tool as gaps are noticed in order to prevent dirt filling the gaps, thus making it more difficult to put into place. Inferior glueless laminate floors may gradually become separated, creating visible gaps between planks. Water spills aren't a problem if they're wiped up quickly, and not allowed to sit for a prolonged period of time.Īdhesive felt pads are often placed on the feet of furniture on laminate floors to prevent scratching. It is also important to keep laminate relatively dry, since sitting water/moisture can cause the planks to swell, warp, etc., though some brands are equipped with water-resistant coatings. It is important to keep laminate clean, as dust, dirt, and sand particles may scratch the surface over time in high-traffic areas. Secure tongue-and-groove connections create floor that is both tight and flexible. Installation of laminate flooring - note underlay to allow for contraction, expansion, and moisture control and method for squaring and distancing from wall. Improper installation can result in peaking, in which adjacent boards form an inverted V shape projecting from the floor, or gaps, in which two adjacent boards are separated from each other. Saw cuts on the planks are usually required at edges and around cupboard and door entrances, but professional installers typically use door jamb undercut saws to cut out a space to a height that allows the flooring to go under the door jamb & casing for a cleaner look. Baseboards (skirting boards) can be removed and then reinstalled after laying of the flooring is complete for a neater finish, or the baseboard can be left in place with the flooring butted into it, then small beading trims such as shoe moulding or the larger quarter-round moulding can be fitted to the bottoms of the baseboards. A small (1–10 millimetres (0.039–0.394 in)) gap is required between the flooring and any immovable object such as walls, this allows the flooring to expand without being obstructed. Installed laminate floors typically "float" over the sub-floor on top of a foam/film underlayment, which provides moisture- and sound-reducing properties. Sometimes a glue backing is provided for ease of installation. Laminate flooring is packaged as a number of tongue and groove planks, which can be clicked into one another. Laminate floors are reasonably easy for a DIY homeowner to install. It is reasonably durable, hygienic (several brands contain an antimicrobial resin), and relatively easy to maintain. It may also have the advantages of costing less and requiring less skill to install than alternative flooring materials. Laminate flooring has grown significantly in popularity, perhaps because it may be easier to install and maintain than more traditional surfaces such as hardwood flooring. EN 13329:2000 specifying laminate floor covering requirements and testing methods. The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. Laminate flooring (also called floating wood tile in the United States) is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |