Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that features a particle board wood base, an image layer, and a transparent wear layer on top. In this article, VINAWOOD will provide you with all the information about Laminate Flooring
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What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that features a particle board wood base, an image layer, and a transparent wear layer on top. It is commonly used in living areas, kitchens, dining areas, bedrooms, hallways, and other spaces not exposed to excessive moisture. Known for its reliability and easy maintenance, laminate flooring is a popular and economical choice in millions of homes.
Laminate wood surface structure
, including the wear layer, design layer, core layer, and back layer. Each layer will have its purpose and is bonded together by high temperature and strong pressure to form a solid board.
Layer D: Backer Paper
The base layer of Swiss Krono laminate flooring planks is the backer paper. This bottom balancing layer maintains the plank’s stability and prevents it from warping. The backer paper protects the laminate board from moisture, ensuring its dimensional stability. Some Swiss Krono laminate planks come with integrated foam padding, which eliminates the need for additional underlayment and enhances the acoustical quality of the flooring.
Layer C: HDF Core
The core of Swiss Krono laminate flooring is made of high-density fiberboard (HDF), known for its superior stability and strength compared to medium-density fiberboard (MDF). HDF is created by breaking down softwood fibers, combining them with a wax and resin binder, and then forming them into panels using heat and pressure. This high-density core is precisely milled to micron-level tolerances, allowing the planks to fit together seamlessly using one of four locking systems, ensuring a reliable and snug installation.
Layer B: Decorative Paper
Above the HDF core is the decorative paper layer, which gives the laminate flooring its visual appeal. This high-quality printed layer can replicate the look of natural materials like wood, stone, or marble in a wide range of colors and patterns. It can also feature creative designs such as leaves, grass, artwork, or paint splatters, offering a diverse array of aesthetic options.
Layer A: Wear Layer
The top layer of the laminate flooring is the wear layer, which plays a crucial role in protecting and enhancing the floor’s durability. This layer provides several benefits:
- Durability: It shields the surface from everyday wear and tear, including scuffs, scrapes, and scratches caused by common sources like pet claws, shoes, and furniture.
- UV Protection: It protects the decorative layer from harmful UV rays that can cause fading. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to photodegradation, where the colors fade due to broken chemical bonds. The wear layer prevents this, keeping the flooring looking vibrant over time.
These four layers combined make Swiss Krono laminate flooring a durable, aesthetically pleasing, and reliable choice for various home settings.
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The pros and cons of laminate flooring
Pros
Below are the benefits of laminate flooring:
- Smooth Surface and Easy Cleaning
Installed laminate flooring has a smooth, seam-free surface, making it exceptionally easy to clean. Unlike other flooring types, laminate floors do not require wet mopping. Most dust and dirt can be managed with a dry mop or broom. For deeper cleaning, a hard surface mopping tool that dispenses cleaning fluid instead of water is recommended.
- Scratch-Resistant Durability
Thanks to its tough wear layer, laminate flooring is highly resistant to scratches, making it an excellent choice for homes with pets and children.
- Cost-Effective Option
Laminate flooring is generally more affordable compared to other types of floor coverings. However, it’s worth noting that some premium laminate floors can be priced similarly to solid hardwood or engineered wood flooring.
Cons
Below are the considerations for Laminate Flooring:
- Moisture Sensitivity
Laminate flooring, primarily constructed of moisture-sensitive particleboard, can suffer irreversible swelling if exposed to water for extended periods. While theoretically water-resistant, this resistance relies on perfect board alignment with no seams and waterproof baseboard trimming along the edges.
- Durability and Vulnerabilities
Although laminate flooring boasts a surprisingly tough wear layer, the boards are prone to chipping, which can detract from their appearance and longevity.
- Limitations in Wet Areas
Due to its sensitivity to moisture, laminate flooring isn’t suitable for spaces prone to high humidity or water exposure. This restriction often precludes its use in full bathrooms, laundry rooms, and sometimes even certain areas of kitchens, such as those in front of dishwashers or behind refrigerators.
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Comparison with Other Flooring Options
| Different from Laminate | Similar to Laminate | |
| Vinyl Floor | Waterproof; resilient; easy installation | Floating floor system; similar installation method |
| Solid Hardwood | 100% wood composition; can be refinished | Appearance; visual appeal of wood |
| Engineered Wood | Real wood top layer; versatile installation | Appearance; wood-like surface |
| Tile or Stone | Rigid; waterproof | Similar appearance; stone or tile-like surface |
Understanding the unique characteristics and limitations of laminate flooring can help homeowners make informed decisions when choosing the most suitable flooring option for their needs.
Installation Method for Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is installed using a modified tongue-and-groove system, similar to solid hardwood flooring. However, unlike hardwood, laminate flooring is often a DIY-friendly project that can be accomplished with basic tools.
Floating Floor Installation
Laminate flooring is typically installed as a floating floor, which eliminates the need for complex nail-down procedures associated with hardwood or engineered wood. Here’s how the floating floor method works:
- Underlayment Preparation: Begin by rolling out inexpensive foam underlayment and taping the seams together. In many cases, the underlayment may already be attached to the bottom of the laminate planks, eliminating the need for a separate underlayment layer.
- Plank Installation: Lay out the laminate planks in the desired pattern. Due to the modified tongue-and-groove system, the planks easily interlock with each other, forming a sturdy, unified surface.
- Secure Placement: Since the planks are joined together, they form a heavy single unit that cannot slide around. Friction and weight keep the laminate flooring securely in place.
Snap-Together Method
Depending on the type of laminate flooring you purchase, the planks may either snap together or be glued together. The most common method, known as fold-and-lay or fold-and-lock, involves the following steps:
- Initial Attachment: Start with two boards connected by outer grooves and angled toward each other.
- Folding Mechanism: Fold one board down until it lies flat against its companion board. This action brings the two boards closer together, tightening the bond and preventing water infiltration.
Unlike traditional tongue-and-groove joinery used in solid hardwood, the fold-and-lay method provides a seamless installation with enhanced water resistance, making it an efficient and reliable choice for DIY enthusiasts.
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How much does laminate flooring installation cost?
There are 3 important factors that you need to consider when installing laminate flooring: style, thickness and square footage.
- Style: Laminate can be finished to look like stone, tile or wood, which will vary in price.
- Thickness: Laminate floors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can determine your total cost and the lifespan of the floor. Thicker laminate is more durable but also a bit more expensive than thinner varieties.
- Square footage: The larger the space, the more money you will spend on laminate flooring installation.
Cost by Style
When homeowners decide to install laminate flooring, they want a flooring set that looks expensive but fits their budget. Some laminate flooring models resemble stone or tile floors, but most of them look like natural wood floors. Laminate flooring mimics the appearance of wood grain and color, allowing you to achieve your desired look without having to pay the high cost of actual hardwood, stone, or tile floors.
Typically, laminate boards are made up of a solid fiberboard core, a photo layer that accurately reflects the board’s shape, and a surface layer that is scratch and dent resistant. Using premium woods such as hickory and elm to create the picture layer requires greater detail and color nuance, which increases production costs and makes these laminates more expensive.
| Appearance | Cost per Square Foot |
| Acacia | $1.00–$2.20 |
| Beech | $1.00–$2.90 |
| Cherry | $1.70–$2.80 |
| Elm | $1.40–$3.70 |
| Hickory | $1.50–$4.50 |
| Maple | $1.50–$3.80 |
| Oak | $1.00–$3.70 |
| Stone | $3.50–$4.00 |
| Tile | $3.50–$5.00 |
| Walnut | $2.00–$2.80 |
Cost by Thickness
The thickness of typical laminate flooring usually ranges from 6mm to 12mm. While thin laminate can withstand scratches, it is more prone to warping, blistering, and has poor noise reduction capabilities. Conversely, thicker laminate is better at insulating against noise and heat. Moreover, when you have installed thicker laminate you may not need an underlayment or a perfectly flat subfloor.
| Thickness in Millimeters | Cost per Square Foot |
| 6 | $0.70–$1.00 |
| 7 | $0.90–$1.00 |
| 8 | $1.00–$1.80 |
| 10 | $2.00–$4.00 |
| 12 | $2.30–$6.00 |
Cost by Square Footage
The pivotal aspect in industrial wood flooring installation lies in the dimensions and contours of the area. Professional installation typically runs between $3 to $13 per square foot. Material costs range from $1 to $5 per square foot, encompassing both the wood planks and underlayment.
As your floor space expands, the demand for laminate planks increases accordingly. Assuming an average material cost of $1–$4 per square foot, here’s the amount you might spend on areas of various sizes (with or without installation). Bear in mind that you may need to allocate a tad more material to accommodate any peculiar shapes or sharp angles.
| Square Footage | Materials Only | Materials and Installation |
| 100 | $100–$400 | $500–$1,200 |
| 200 | $200–$800 | $1,000–$2,400 |
| 300 | $300–$1,200 | $1,500–$3,600 |
| 500 | $500–$2,000 | $2,500–$6,000 |
| 1,000 | $1,000–$4,000 | $5,000–$12,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,500–$6,000 | $7,500–$18,000 |
| 2,000 | $2,000–$8,000 | $10,000–$24,000 |
Style, thickness and square footage are 3 important factors that you need to consider
Hopefully, in the above article, you have grasped all the information about laminate flooring and the cost of installing this material. If you want to know more about Plywood, please visit VINAWOOD’s website.
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