T-MOLDING – T-Molding is used in doorways or entryways to finish the space between two pieces of laminate flooring. T-Molding is also used when your room is longer or wider than a manufacturer allows for their style of laminate flooring. When working in an area where you have two floor surfaces that are nearly the same height T-Molding is the usual choice. T-Molding can also be used for laminate to carpet transitions.

REDUCER – Reducer is a transition molding that is used to transition a laminate floors with floor with other floors of different heights such as carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile or hardwood. Reducers are sloped on one side. This type of molding is usually secured to a track.

STAIR NOSE – Stair nose moldings is available for overlap and flush mount applications. Flush Stair nose finishes the flooring edge at staircases, step-downs and landings. Overlap Step nose is used where the flooring meets a step-down or landing. The function of Stair Nose is to create an attractive threshold that catches the impact of floor traffic while providing a finished appearance to the staircase or step.

THRESHOLD (BABY) – Baby Threshold Molding can be used at sliding glass doors, along wall bases, door thresholds, fireplaces, closets, carpet, and against exterior doorways as a transition between flooring and the threshold.. This is a versatile trim that is adaptable for slight vertical height difference.

WALL BASE MOLDING – Wall Base is that classic finish that borders the laminate floor wherever the wall and flooring meet. It is used around the perimeter of the floor to cover the required expansion gap. Wall Base Molding is nailed to the wall and never to the floor.

QUARTER ROUND – Quarter Round is used in much like a Wall Base molding to conceal the required expansion gap between the wall and the laminate flooring. Quarter Round can be used under cabinet toe kicks where a wall base won’t fit or at the base of a stairs or other vertical surface. Quarter Round Moldings are often used with Wall Base molding to achieve a decorative appearance.

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A Laminate Floor consists of:

Top or Wear Layer – The surface of the floor is a thin film that is usually made form melamine plastic and/or aluminum oxide. This layer gives the floor its scratch and moisture resistance.

Print Layer – The print layer is a digital image of wood or an object other than wood such as in a laminate that appears as tile or stone.
Core – The core which is the thickest part of a plane is usually a HDF (high density fiber) board. or MDF board.  HDF is a step up from MDF (medium density fiber) board and is much harder. The core layer support the weight and stress of foot traffic.

Backing – Most all laminate floors have a backing on the bottom. Like the wear layer the backing is usually made of melamine but is thicker and not clear. The backing provides a moisture barrier and stabilizes the planks.

Tongue - On one side of the plank you will have a tongue. The tongue locks into the groove of the plank that it joins. There are a number of locking configurations for the tongue and groove.

Groove – See Tongue above.

Fusing the Layers

The elements that make up the plank layers are fused together by one of two processes.

• DPL (direct pressure laminate): The layers are fused by the use of a pressure treatment.
• HPL (high pressure laminate): The layers are glued together only after the decorative layer and the wear layer onto an additional layer of high strength paper by means of high pressure.

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While a steam cleaner is great for tile, vinyl and stone floors they can ruin most laminate floors. Laminate and excessive moisture do not mix. Remember that most laminate floors are no more than a picture of wood on a particleboard core with a thin layer of plastic over the paper.

You damage your floor with water and the laminate manufacturer will tell you that it is not their problem. Unfortunately the manufacturer of the steam cleaning machine will also tell you it is not their problem.

To play safe only clean your floors using methods recommended by the manufacturer of your laminate floor.

Don’t believe it then take another look at the photo of steam cleaner laminate damage.

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While the requirement of one manufacturer may differ from another the following information is common to many manufacturers. When purchasing a floor always obtain and read the installation instructions for the floor you are purchasing. The instructions for most laminate manufacturers may be found by clicking here.

Unfortunately as flooring inspectors we see many installations where the person installing the floor claimed to be an expert but did not install the floor as required by the manufacturer. Failing to follow the manufacturers installation instructions is a huge laminate floor problem as it often voids the warranty.

Subfloor Requirements of a floating floor

Concrete

• Perform a mat test to check for moisture. If any indication of a high moisture content perform a calcium chloride test.  Moisture content should not exceed 2.5% on a dry weight basis or the floor may fail.
• New concrete needs to cure for a minimum of 60 days.
• Use an approved vapor barrier.  Most companies require a vapor barrier even when the floor is covered by vinyl, linoleum, tile or sheet flooring.

Vinyl & Linoleum Subfloor

• Usually you can install over these if they are clean and level.

Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

• This is the one floor that most floating floors cannot be installed over and it needs to be removed unless approved by the manufacturer.  If the carpet is glue down be sure to thoroughly clean the surface of glue residues.

Ceramic Tile and Stone Subfloor

• These will normally not require removal but they must be leveled to within 5 mm in a 3 m radius.  A vapor barrier may be required, particularly over concrete.

Hardwood Subfloor

• Test for moisture content, it must be stable and between 6 and 10%.
• Correct the floor to eliminate any movement.  If the subfloor sags, inspect the joist below for twist or weakness.  If the subfloor is uneven or cupped at the joist, recheck the moisture making sure it is in the 6 – 10% range.
• Check for excessive moisture in the crawl space or basement including signs of potential water problems.
• Sand or plane high areas and patch or fill low areas with an appropriate leveling compound, or cover with a rigid underlayment.
• Do not use a vapor barrier on top of wood floors.

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Installer if no vapor barrier Water Damage Top down Swelling at both sides of seams, gaps in seams, voids in glue Improper joining and/or gluing Replace Installer Out of Rack Boards not aligned parallel on both sides and ends, seen on floor from point on where misalignment started. Failure to align and tightly join starter row. Replace as needed Installer Out of Square A floor that is out of square will affect alignment on out of square planks only and not entire area. Milling Replace as needed Manufacturer No Underlay Foam Buckling No foam results in gluing to the underlayment and floor is no longer floating Replace Installer Concave Bowing Center of the plank is lower in elevation than the edges in length or width. Installed on wet subfloor. No moisture barrier. Improper acclimation. Water damage. Manufacturing defect Wait 6 weeks after installation to inspect.  If in excess of tolerance, replace. Installer if installed over wet floor, improper acclimation or no vapor barrier.  Consumer if water damage. Manufacturer Convex Bowing Center of the plank is higher in elevation than the edges in length and width. Manufacturing related condition Wait 6 weeks after installation to inspect. If in excess of tolerance replace. Manufacturer Delamination Laminate not adhering to core. May appear as a bubble on plank surface, delamination on edge about width of tapping block. Laminate moves, hollow sound, improperly used tapping block, swelling due to improper gluing Plank or section replacement Installer if not properly glued or installation damage.  Manufacturer if laminate not attached. Proud Edges Height difference between planks when installed Milling Assess on basis of size and number and if outside of acceptable range, replace as required. Manufacturer, Installer if highly visible and floor should not have been installed. Pattern Misaligned Pattern no aligned on the core Improper manufacturing alignment Plank or section replacement Manufacturer, installer if highly visible and should not have been installed. Foggy Laminate Milky appearance throughout plank Manufacturing Replace section or as needed. Manufacturer Sheen Variation Sheen varies between planks with some dull and others shiny.  Usually light dependant Manufacturing Replace section or as needed. Manufacturer Color Variation Plank varies in color from the true color or design Manufacturing or mixed pattern Plank or section replacement Installer if wrong color or highly visible, otherwise manufacturer Foreign matter under laminate Particles under laminate that show up either as marks, spots or lumps. Dust or debris during manufacturing.  Generally light dependent and not seen until after installation. Replace as needed Manufacturer, installer if highly visible as it should have been seen and not installed. Improper Milling Floor unlevel or not square in areas Product out of square, defective tongue or groove. Replace as needed Manufacturer, installer if highly visible as it should have been seen and not installed. Chattermarks (Cuttermarks) Widthwise, wavy or rippled bands.  Not seen in all lighting. Skips during sanding Replace Manufacturer, installer if highly visible as it should have been seen and not installed.

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Backer (Backing): In laminated flooring the bottom layer is called backer layer or balancing layer and is usually made from a resin-impregnated Kraft paper. The backer is designed to be the same weight as the wearlayer to provide balance and stability. If the backer is lighter or heavier than the wearlayer, the boards will cup or bow after installation and cannot be repaired.

Base Shoe: Similar to quarter round in profile, it is a molding designed for attaching to a base molding to cover the expansion space.

Bow: In lumber the distortion in which there is a deviation, in a direction perpendicular to the flat face as measured from a straight line from end to end.

Chipboard: Paperboard formulated for a variety of purposes and under a variety of specifications including two of the more common that may or may not be included are strength and color. It is usually fabricated from paper stock with a relatively low density in the thickness of 0.006 inch and up.

Core: In laminated flooring, the core provides for strength and impact resistance and can be made from high or medium-density fiberboard, particle (chipboard, or polyurethane foam. Particleboard and fiberboard are produced from compressed wood fibers mixed with bonding agents and is vulnerable to moisture.

Crook: The distortion that occurs within a board that has a deviation in a direction perpendicular to the edge, from a straight line from end to end of the piece.

Crosspull: A condition that occurs at an end-joint with the ends of flooring strips pulled in opposite directions.

Crowning: A “convex” or “crowned” condition or appearance where the center of individual strips becomes higher than the edges. (Opposite of cupping.)

Cupping: A “concave” or “dished” condition or appearance where the center of individual strips becomes lower than the edges. (Opposite of crowning.)

Cure: The change of adhesives properties by chemical reaction (which may be condensation, polymerization, or vulcanization) resulting in the development of maximum strength. Commonly accomplished by the action of heat or a catalyst, with or without pressure.

Decorative Layer: In laminate flooring, a decorative layer or print film is adhered on top of the core board giving the floor its hardwood or tile look. This decorative layer is a printed, high-resolution photo-reproduction of wood grain, natural stone or laminate tile pattern.

Delamination: The separation of layers in a laminate, through failure within the adhesive or at the bond between the adhesive and laminate.

Distressed: Creation of an antique or timeworn appearance by creating an artificial texture of a floor by techniques such as scraping, scratching and gouging.

Dry Wall: Interior covering material, such as hardboard, plywood or gypsum board that is applied in large sheets or panels.

End Joint: The joint created where two pieces of flooring are joined end to end.

End Molding/Carpet Reducer: Used as a transition from laminate floors to different flooring surfaces when the reducer does not allow enough height, such as on high-pile carpet or thick laminate tile.

Equilibrium Moisture Content: The moisture content at which a wood neither gains nor loses moisture when surrounded by air at a given relative humidity and temperature.

Expansion: In laminate expansion is growth resulting from an increase in moisture.

Fiberboard: A widely used generic term that is inclusive of sheet materials of widely varying densities manufactured of refined or partially refined wood or vegetable fibers. A variety of materials and bonding agents are added to increase strength, resistance to moisture, fire or decay and to improve other qualities.

Filler: 1. In woodworking, any substance that is used to fill the holes and irregularities in planed or sanded surfaces to decrease the porosity of the surface before applying a finish coat. 2. A wood putty, plastic wood or other material that is used to fill cracks, knot holes, worm holes, etc.

Fire Resistance: A materials ability to withstand fire or give protection from it.

Fire Retardant: A chemical or preparation of chemicals that is used to retard the spread of fire over the surface or to reduce flammability.

Flakeboard: A particle panel that is composed of flakes.

Flame Spread: The development of a flame away from its source of ignition such as across the surface of a liquid or a solid, or through the volume of a gaseous mixture.

Floating Floor: Floating floor is a term that describes a method of installing a floor rather than a specific type of flooring material. In this method, the individual planks or boards attach to each other. A padded underlayment sits between the subfloor and the laminate planks. The planks sit directly on the underlayment and are not anchored to the subfloor on the bottom but rather are anchored on the edges.

Glued Laminate Flooring: These are the original laminate floors that do require a special formulated glue to be applied to the tongue and grooved areas for each plank. Once the glue is dried the planks are almost impossible to pull apart. These floors are offered in both planks and squares.

Glueless Laminate Flooring: An installation method where the planks or squares simply interlock together.

High Pressure Laminate: Laminates molded and cured at pressures not lower than 1,000 lb per sq in. (70 kg per sq cm) and more commonly in the range of 1,200 to 2,000 lb per sq in. (84 to 140 kg per sq cm).

Hydroscopic: The ability of a substance to absorb and retain moisture or lose or throw off moisture. Wood as a hydroscopic material expands with the absorption of water and shrinks with the loss of moisture.

Joist: Parallel beam used in series to support floor or ceiling loads and supported in turn by larger beams, girders, or bearing walls.

Laminate: A manufactured product that simulates the look of hardwood, laminate tile, natural stone and many other types of flooring.

Laminate Flooring: Laminate flooring is a hard surface floor covering consisting of a fiberboard core, printed paper pattern with a melamine wear layer and backing and usually with a tongue and groove construction for ease of installation.

Laminated Wood: An assembly that is made by bonding layers of materials with an adhesive. 2. Sometimes referred to edge-glued lumber items such as treads, etc.

Manufacturing Defects: Defects or blemishes that develop during manufacturing.

Melamine Resin: A resin used to help improve the moisture resistance and durability of the core board of laminate flooring.

Moldings: Trim pieces that cover the space that is allowed for the flooring to expand and move naturally on top of the subfloor. Also used as the transition to an adjacent floor. Moldings for laminate floors are usually slightly larger than their wood or laminate tile counterparts.

Moisture Content: The amount of moisture expressed as a percentage of the weight of the oven dry wood.

Nosing: A trim used to cover the outside corner of a step.

Oriented Strand Board: A particle panel composed of strand-type flakes with purposefully aligned directions which make a panel stronger, stiffer, and with improved dimensional properties in the alignment directions than a panel composed of random flake orientation.

Overlapping Stair Nosing: A nosing that is similar to a flush stair nosing except the nose overlaps the exposed edge of your floor. The overlapping stair nosing is secured to the sub floor and not to the laminate floor so the floor remains free to move.

Particleboard: A generic term for a material manufactured from wood particles or other cellulosic material and a binder.

Peaking Seams: Laminate plank edges that have risen at the joint.

Plank: A laminate floor panel that is typically 5 or 6 inches wide.

Plugs: Dowels that simulate the Colonial American plugged or pegged plank appearance.

Prefinished: A floor that is finished during the manufacturing process and requires installation only.

Pre-Glued Laminate : A laminate flooring that has the glue already applied to the tongue and grooves. A thin, plastic underlayment is needed to seal out moisture and prevent the glue from sticking to the substrate.

Quarter Round Trim: A trim that is installed where the laminate floor meets the wall or baseboard.

Reducer Strip: The transitional piece installers use to connect the laminate with another type of floor covering such as vinyl, thin laminate tile, or low-pile carpeting.

Relative Humidity: A ration of the amount of water vapor that is present in the air to that which the air would hold at saturation at the same temperature. While usually considered on the basis of the weight of the vapor, for accuracy it should be considered on the basis of vapor pressures.

Screens: The quality of the laminate partially has to do with the photography and the number of photographs per style, which is known as “screens”. The more screens a product has, the more variation it can offer. And the more “authentic” the laminate looks.

Seams: The junction where the panels connect together.

Square Nosing / Universal Edge: Used where the laminate flooring butts up to carpeting, or various vertical surfaces where the edge will be exposed, such as along a fireplace.

Stain: A discoloration that develops in or on a floor and is other than the natural color.

Stud: Structural unit used as supporting element in walls and partitions.

Surface-Finish: A finish material, which penetrates the pores of the wood, providing a finish that is in the wood rather than on the surface.

Step Down Stair Nose: A coordinating molding piece providing the proper transition for all the steps in a home.

Tile: A laminate panel in a geometric shape – square.

T-Molding: Commonly used in doorways to join two laminate floors in adjoining rooms. It’s also recommended when making transitions from a laminate floor to another floor that is approximately the same height.

Underlayment: A material used between the laminate flooring and the subfloor that acts as a sound and moisture barrier and also allows the floor to expand and contract with changes in the temperature. V-Joint: A plank flooring term that indicates that the edges are eased or beveled to simulate cracks in floors of early Colonial American homes.

Vapor Barrier: A material with a high resistance to vapor movement that is used to control condensation or prevent migration of moisture.

Waferboard: A particle panel product that is made of wafer-type flakes. It is usually produced to provide equal properties in all directions parallel to the plane of the panel.

Wearlayer: In laminated flooring the wearlayer usually consist of multiple layers of Kraft paper that has been impregnated with phenolic resins and pressed together under high heat and pressure. This is the HPL (high-pressure lamination) process, the first step of the CPL (continuous pressure lamination) process, the second being the attachment of the wearlayer and backer layer to the core. The bottom layer of Kraft paper is imprinted with a photograph that provides the floors pattern or design.

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The flooring material needs to be acclimated in the area of installation. This means that if the laminate is to be installed in the family room it should be acclimated in that room.

Storing the laminate flooring in the garage is not acclimation even if the garage is attached. Storage of the material at the store or warehouse of the dealer or installer is not acclimation unless the floor is to be installed in the store or warehouse.

Not all laminate manufacturers require acclimation. If the dealer or installer says it is not necessary to acclimate insist that they show you where the manufacturer states that in writing. Don’t make the manufacturers, dealers or installers problem yours. If they say that the floor does not require acclimation insist on getting this in writing.

When a floor acclimates the product is adjusting to the humidity of the area of installation.

All wet work in the area of installation such as plastering and painting must be completed prior to the start of acclimation.  All windows and doors must be installed prior to the start of acclimation. The heating and air conditioning system must be operational at or near occupancy levels. If installing over concrete the concrete should have been tested and found to be at acceptable levels for the installation of the laminate.

When a floor is not acclimated prior to installation it can be hard to click together chipping or damaging the edges of the laminate. A floor that is not acclimated to its environment is more likely to experience problems such as expansion, tenting, squeaking and buckling after installation.

If you are unsure of the laminate manufacturers installation requirements a copy of them is often contained in each carton. Most manufacturers’ installation instructions are also available on LaminateFloorProblems.com

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