Laminate Floor Problems - Solutions - Care - Repair » floor laminate http://laminatefloorproblems.com "Your How to Laminate Flooring Source." Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:46:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Anatomy of a Laminate Floor http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/anatomy-of-a-laminate-floor/ http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/anatomy-of-a-laminate-floor/#comments Sun, 19 Sep 2010 22:07:51 +0000 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=307 While a laminate floor may look very much like a solid wood floor or engineered wood floor there really is a difference. Perhaps the biggest difference is that what you are actually seeing with a laminate floor is not the natural wood grain it is a photograph.

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.

Share

More Laminate Flooring Posts

]]> http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/anatomy-of-a-laminate-floor/feed/ 2 Laminate Floor Plank Alignment http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/staggering-of-laminate-floor/ http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/staggering-of-laminate-floor/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:31:26 +0000 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=63 laminate no staggerStaggering of Laminate Floor

Laminate flooring manufacturers require their floors to be staggered anywhere from 8 to 12 inches or more. (See manufacturers installation instructions.)

A floating floor that is not staggered will look odd.

A floating floor not staggered properly will compromise its strength and structural stability.

The planks in the photo above have not been staggered. Not only does this look bad, the floor will not perform properly.

Out of Rack Laminate Floor

Planks must be installed tightly together on both the short and long sides.

When the laminate flooring is not installed tightly together a wedge shaped gap known as “Out of Rack” will occur.


Share

More Laminate Flooring Posts

]]> http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/staggering-of-laminate-floor/feed/ 2 Laminate Floor Care and Maintenance http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/laminate-floor-care-and-maintenance/ http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/laminate-floor-care-and-maintenance/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:33:28 +0000 Terry Weinheimer | Kevin Weinheimer http://laminatefloorproblems.com/?p=8 cleaning laminate flooringProtect Floor from Scratching

While laminate flooring has a harder finish than many types of floor covering, all types of floors can loose their appearance from dirt. Abrasive soil scratches and cuts at a floor surface resulting in a dull appearance.

  • Trap dirt, sand and grit by using doormats at outside entrances.
  • Use felt protectors under chair, table and other furniture legs. On large items that may scratch a floor place a piece of felt under it.
  • Use a dust mop, or vacuum to remove loose dirt or grit. (Avoid uprights or carpet attachments as these may scratch the floor.

Cleaning Laminate Floors

  • Damp mop with warm water; do not saturate the floor and change the water as necessary to keep clean.

Cleaning Spots and Small Areas

  • Use a clean damp cloth or clean sponge to wipe up most spots. Grease, chocolate, juice or wine. Use warm water and one of the following: mild detergent, vinegar or ammonia. (Never use excessive water)
  • Crayon, asphalt, dried foods, shoe or nail polish, ink, paint or other materials that would stain most floors: Rub with a clean rag dampened with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol or acetone (nail polish remover). The room should be well ventilated.
  • Candle wax, chewing gum harden with ice, then gently scrape with a blunt scraper. Wipe with warm water and a clean white cloth.

Don’ts

  • Never clean with abrasive cleaners, scouring powder or steel wool.
  • Do not sand, use wax, polish or varnish.
  • Do not allow liquid to stand on a floor.

Share

More Laminate Flooring Posts

]]> http://laminatefloorproblems.com/laminate-floor-problems/laminate-floor-care-and-maintenance/feed/ 2