Laminate flooring comes in both planks and square tiles. Laminate
flooring is constructed with several different layers of various materials
that are thermofused together to form the laminated flooring
planks and tiles.
The four basic laminate flooring construction layers:
Wear Layer - This is the transparent top surface that protects
the floor from scratching, staining, scuffing and also protects the
printed design layer below. The wear layer is a combination of melamine
with aluminum oxide particles which makes it extremely durable.
In-Register Embossing - Many of manufacturers have
developed specialized methods of texturizing the top layer (called in-register
embossing) to add more authentic realism to the flooring. Many
also offer beveled plank edges to give the floors even more of a realistic
appearance.
AC Ratings - Laminate
flooring manufacturers have also adopted a method of scoring the durabvility
of the top layer to help consumers with choosing the right laminate floor
for their situation. This is called the AC
Ratings. The
AC stands for Abrasion
Coeffieint.
The AC Ratings go from AC1 to AC5, with AC5 being the best.
Both the in-store
samples and laminate flooring cartons should have their AC Rating marked
for consumers to see. For very active areas and kid's play rooms it's best
to choose a laminate floor with an AC Rating of AC3 or greater.
Photographic Image Layer- This is the photographic
image layer of either a real hardwood plank, ceramic tile, stone or some
other material. The photographic images are extremely clear, vibrant and
realistic. Combined with texturizing the top layer this creates a rtrue,
authentic looking, natural floor appearance. For example, some laminate
designs are actually photographic images of old historical floors.
Inner Core Layer - The inner core is generally made from high-density
fiberboard and also used to form the tongue and groove edges for locking
laminated planks together. The core is also the base forthe photographic
image and wear layer.Most manufacturers also
saturate the inner core with melamine resins or a water-resistant sealer
to help protect the inner core from moisture.
Backing Layer - is fused to the Inner Core to add stability
and create a barrier that helps protect the planks from mositure and warping.
Like the Inner Core the backing is also treated with some sort of water-resistant
sealer.
Note:
The Inner Core combined with the Backing layer are what really make up
the overall thickness of each plank. Planks generally range from 8 mm to
12 mm in thickness. The thicker planks are more rigid and help overcome minor
irregularaties in the sub-flooring..
NALFA Certification Seal
The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) has a Certification Seal for laminate flooring manufacturers. The Seal certifies that the laminate floor has passed a rigorous and demanding series of ANSI tests designed to evaluate its performance, durability, strength, and overall quality of the laminate flooring. Look for it on the manufacturer's sample boards.
The laminated planks are usually fused together in either a one or two step process. In the two-step process several layers are first glued together and then these layers are combined with the remaining materials and than glued and fused into a plank. This method is called High Pressure Laminate (HPL). The other method is where all materials are fused together in one step and this is called Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL).
AC Ratings Overview
AC1 - floors with this rating are suitable for low traffic areas, such as
bedrooms.
AC2 - floors suitable to low to medium traffic, such as living rooms or
dining rooms
AC3 - floors suitable for most areas in homes, including hallways and light
commercial
AC4 - any where in the home as well as commercial buildings. For example:
an office or store
AC5 - can be used in heavy trattic commercial areas.
Laminate Flooring Installation Systems
The planks have tongue and grooved edges on all 4 sides to secure the planks together. Today, most laminate floors use some sort of glueless
locking system, often referred to as "clic" floors. Glueless laminate floors can go almost anywhere in the home and are ideal for do-it-yourself projects.
The two main glueless locking systems either involve a tongue and groove that is reinforced from underneath by an aluminum, mechanical locking system or a tongue-and-groove glueless locking system built right into the middle core that allows the planks to snap or clic together during installation.
Some other laminate floors have a tongue that was pre-glued at the factory with a specially formulated, water-resistant glue. Once the tongue is moistened with a wet sponge it activates the glue and locks the planks together. Laminate floors are also offered that require specially formulated glue to be applied to the tongue and groove at the time of the installation to secure the planks to one another.
Laminate Flooring Definitions for some Commonly Used Terms
Backing - is usually a melamine plastic layer used to give additional structural stability and added moisture protection to the planks.
Core - generally made from high-density fiber board (HDF), particle board, or plastic, the core adds impact resistance, and forms the tongue and groove locking system. Melamine plastic resins are also impregnated in the core by some of the manufacturers to improve the moisture resistance of the core.
Melamine - is a plastic-type resin used throughout the construction process to add durability, and stability to the laminated planks.
Print Film - which is also called the decorative layer gives the floor the appearance of a real hardwood or tile. Some manufacturers, have been able to replicate the old wood floors found only in some old historical buildings.
Wearlayer - is a tough clear melamine layer with aluminum oxide particles. Using heat and pressure the wearlayer becomes an incredibly hard and durable finish. The resin-filled wearlayer is so dense it becomes extremely difficult to stain, scratch, or burn.
Underlayment - is a clear thin plastic sheet that is installed over the substrate before the laminate floor is floated. The plastic sheet helps the laminate floor to float freely above the substrate.
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