scouts items placed on a laminate floor that resembles natural wood

Laminate flooring is easy to install, assembles quickly and offers various sizes, reliefs and structures. Such floors can not only resemble entirely natural wood but also provide an extremely rich colour range, various patterns, precisely crafted details and numerous design combinations.

When installing a laminate floor, you can use many types of underlay material to ensure good noise and heat insulation.

All of these factors turn laminate into a comfortable and practical floor covering, which, in addition to having a very good look, is also efficient and provides cosiness.

a large empty room with laminate flooringImage Source: Freepik.com

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a four-layer flooring type consisting of the following structures:

  • Wear layer – this is the top coating, usually made of several layers of melamine resin. Its main purpose is to withstand wear and tear and protect the floor from stains and fading.
  • Decorative layer – the name comes from the design and style, which is made to imitate the natural look of wood, creating a feeling and appearance as close to the real material as possible.
  • Core layer – the tickest, hard-wearing layer that ensures the structural stability of the plank. It is typically made of high- or medium-density fiberboard (HDF or MDF).
  • Back layer – or the so-called waterproof layer serves as a barrier against moisture.

The first laminate flooring was produced more than 40 years ago. Since then, its production technology has changed significantly to achieve increased durability and a longer life span. It has become one of the most popular flooring installation in the renovation industry. 

Strength Factors to Consider

People often bring down the choice of laminate flooring to the colour palette and whether or not it fits their house or business’ interior design. However, there are many more factors that you should familiarise yourself with before making the final decision.

The EN 13329 Standard

At the end of 1990, the EU introduced the EN 13329 standard, which specifies the requirements, characteristics and test methods of laminate flooring. This also includes the classification system based on the EN 685 standard, which indicates the areas and conditions in which you can use this type of flooring.

Some examples include:

  • Grades 21 to 23 mean the flooring is suitable for home and domestic use.
  • Grades 31 to 34 are used for more intensive “commercial” use. 
  • Classes 41 to 43 indicate that the laminate flooring can be used in industrial settings.

The most important step when buying laminate is determining the class you will need based on an assessment of the setting and room in which you plan to install it.

AC Classification

AC classification is another important characteristic that you should pay attention to. The abbreviation AC stands for “abrasion class”. The higher the number after the abbreviation, the higher the laminate quality and the better it is for high-traffic areas.

It should be indicated on the product packaging. If there is no such indication on the package, it is better to continue researching for options.

Some other factors to consider include but are not limited to:

  • Fire (burn) resistance – according to European standard BS EN13501, ratings equal to or higher than B2 have poor burn resistance.
  • Thickness swelling – lesser values (<10%) are more suitable for damp conditions.
  • Weight – heavier weights indicate a stronger core.
  • Colour fastness – higher ratings indicate better UV resistance.

scouts items placed on a laminate floor that resembles natural woodImage Source: Freepik.com

Advantages of Laminate Flooring

The advantages of laminate flooring cannot go unnoticed.

Several things make laminate flooring such a popular choice:

  • It is very easy to clean.
  • The risk of slipping while walking on it is reduced due to the special surface.
  • It is antibacterial and anti-allergic, which makes it ideal for kids and people with allergies.
  • It’s easy and quick to install.
  • When installed, it offers an authentic look that adds a sense of beauty and aesthetics.
  • Most people find it cost-effective and a more economical than natural wood parquet.
  • It offers various options for different designs and colours.
  • It makes installing and maintaining an underlay of underfloor heating systems easier.

From what has been said, you can see that laminate flooring has many undeniable advantages that make it suitable for commercial or home renovation projects. The wide range of laminate designs, quality, and characteristics make this flooring suitable for every room and taste.

Choosing Laminate Styles

Laminate flooring is among the most popular and often preferred for homes and offices. It is practical and stylish and fits any interior and taste.

But as popular and versatile as laminate flooring is, choosing the right one for us and our needs is difficult. However, with reliable information and the opportunity to choose from various quality product designs, selection becomes much easier and even more pleasant.

It’s important to assess the setting and the room design before making a final selection.

Kitchens

For example, a kitchen may benefit from flooring with increased resistance to moisture and pollution. Such rooms are typically busy, so choosing laminate with increased wear resistance is preferable.

Entrances

In cases of floor renovations in entrance areas, corridors and vestibules, it’s best to lay laminate with a high level of wear resistance, considering that sand and other types of abrasive contaminants increase the risk of damage.

Wet Rooms

If you want to refloor a wet room or a damp space and there’s a high risk of the floor getting wet, it would be best to lean towards a laminate with high moisture resistance so that it does not deform.

Living Rooms and Offices

For spaces where you spend a lot of time, such as the living room or your office, you should choose a laminate with increased scratch and wear resistance.

Bedrooms

Since it is relatively lightly walked-on, you can lay laminate in the bedroom with lower-class wear resistance.

Kids’ room

You should not skimp on the flooring for the children’s room. There, the floor must be wear-resistant. It is also good to have sound insulation, which will significantly reduce the noise of walking, playing or objects falling on the floor. 

That way, the kids can enjoy their games with much less sound, which can potentially bother your neighbours or the people in the rest of the rooms. Sound insulation on the laminate flooring is also highly recommended for high-traffic areas.

For greater safety in children’s activities, it is good for the wood-like panels to have an anti-slip and antibacterial coating and high stain resistance.

You can choose anti-static, antibacterial and anti-allergic laminate flooring, especially if there are small children or allergic people in your house or building.

kid laying over a stain resistant laminated floorImage Source: Freepik.com

When you know what type of laminate you need, you are ready to proceed to design considerations.

As it has already become clear, laminate offers various design and colour options to fit any taste and property needs. The variety is huge, and you can find a resemblance to any natural material, such as oak, stone, marble, and whatever else you may want.

Companies like IVCG Ireland can even create a custom flooring design project for you. If you need some inspiration to continue your search, just look at all the possibilities online and various interior design options or consult a professional interior designer.

Installation and DIY Options

Laying laminate flooring is a quick and easy process. It is possible to do it completely on your own if you have the right tools and some handy skills. However, as with every renovation project, it has its tricky moments, which you’ll need to be prepared for.

The floor must be absolutely flat, dry, clean and able to take loads. Irregularities greater than three millimetres within one metre must be levelled and filled. It is necessary to use polyethene film as a barrier against moisture. That’s where good planning and preparation comes in.

In addition, you’ll need various tools and materials to complete the project. In case you don’t already have them, you’ll have to borrow them from someone or buy them, which will cost you additional money and effort. 

If you are not experienced in this refurbishment type and doubt that you can execute the task, you can always contact IVCG Renovations for a free-of-charge on-site consultation in Cork and Galway.

white gray design Laminate FloorImage Source: Freepik.com

Cleaning and Maintenance

Due to their durable surface, laminated floors are easy to maintain and do not require special cleaning agents.

Here are some tips on how to maintain and clean your laminate floors properly:

  • Using wet towels or spilling water on the floor is not recommended. This can lead to surface damage, swelling, bending or warping of the boards when water penetrates through the joints.
  • When cleaning laminate flooring, do not use wire brushes, abrasive cleaners or detergents with a high content of chlorine or ammonia.
  • It is also not good to use cleaning agents intended for other types of flooring (vinyl, tiles, terracotta). In this way, you can damage the coating, make it look matte or make the floor slippery.
  • Use safety pads or felts to cushion furniture legs.
  • If you have office chairs with plastic wheels, replace them with silicone ones or place a special pad underneath.
  • Place mats in front of exterior doors to reduce the risk of bringing in solid particles, grit, pebbles, etc., that can scratch and damage the laminate surface.

Conclusion

When discussing the choice of laminate flooring, aesthetics is undoubtedly important. However, to take full advantage of your investment, it is good to consult a specialist who will advise and guide you through choosing the right class of laminate for your property.

At IVCG Renovations, you will find premium floor laminate options. Combined with professional installation by our experienced workers, our offers guarantee an authentic and finished look that will last for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Install Laminate Flooring by Myself?

Laminate flooring is relatively easy to install, but if you are not experienced in this type of project, we suggest you contact a specialist.

What Is the Best Type of Flooring Solution for a Kid’s Room?

Laminate flooring is hypoallergenic and easy to clean, so it fits perfectly in the kids’ rooms.

Can My Pet Damage My Laminate Flooring?

Yes, they can scratch the surfaces with their nails, so it’s important to ensure they are always trimmed.