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Interior Design
Laminate Flooring-How Tough Is It Really?
Many people have preconceived ideas when it comes to the durability and toughness of laminate flooring. Because this type of flooring is made from recycled wood and is not considered to be real wood, the misconception exists that it is of an inferior quality.
Manufacturing technology has improved over the years, click-in systems have been perfected and these days laminate flooring is considered one of the most durable flooring options, which will last a lifetime. Laminate flooring has excellent wearing characteristics, is fully guaranteed, colourfast and resistant to fire, moisture, stains, scratches, impacts, cigarette burns and chair castors.
“The secret to getting the most from your laminate is to install it properly, select the correct abrasion class rating and prevent water spillage,” says Jose Dos Passos, managing director at Floors Direct.
Flooring manufacturers in Europe devised a grading system for the different qualities of laminate flooring. Products are graded by their resistance to surface wear caused by abrasion or foot traffic. There are five different grades or Abrasion Classes. AC1 is the softest or least wear resistant and AC5 is the hardest and most durable. Grades 3 and 4 are generally suitable for use anywhere in the home and AC 5 is used in commercial high traffic areas, such as restaurants and busy shops.
Select a reputable manufacturer and a supplier who is a registered member of the Southern African Wood & Laminate Flooring Association (SAWLFA), an association which was formed in 1998 to safeguard the interests of the consumer. A manufacturer such as Kronotex, a well-known producer of laminate in Germany, is renowned for its high quality laminates and wide choice of designs and colours.
“Many product failures occur as a result of poor installation. It is worth paying a little more to have a floor installed by a trained team,” he says. If the supplier is installing the floor, request that the fitters are SAWLFA accredited. If you are relatively handy, you will be able to install the floor yourself as most laminates are DIY friendly and are quick and easy to install. A good supplier will be able to provide you with quick and simple instructions to follow. Floors Direct offers workshops at its stores to train the DIY enthusiasts that are keen to install the floor themselves.
Choose a product with specifications that will match the area where you will be using it. For example, for a high traffic area, choose a product that is more durable such as a semi-commercial laminate with a class 3 or 4 rating. This means the laminate offers resistance to surface abrasion and is suitable for heavy domestic use.
Maintenance is important to keep the laminate floor in good condition. Get rid of marks and dirt by using a slightly damp cloth, but do not use abrasive cleaners or excessive water. A microfibre mop is ideal for laminates, simply spray a bit of water on the fabric pad and wipe the floor. Felt pads under furniture and soft rubber castors on chairs will prolong the life of wooden flooring. Periodically use specially formulated floor cleaner to maintain the lustre and allergy-free surface. Do not stain the floor with varnish or wax the floor as this treatment will affect the intrinsic properties of the laminate.
“Laminate flooring adds warmth and atmosphere to a home and will provide many years of good service,” says Dos Passos.
Laminates purchased from Floors Direct comes with the Floors Direct lifetime guarantee. The company not only stocks a wide range of wooden flooring and the accompanying cleaning products, blinds and rugs but offers various other services including matching profiles, technical expertise, professional installations as well as DIY-friendly laminates that you can install yourself.
For more information contact Floors Direct on 0861 1 FLOORS nationwide or visit their website www.floorsdirect.co.za.
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