Laminate Flooring
Laminate Flooring 101: Everything you need to know about Laminate flooring.
2024/07/11
The Installation Company
Design Tips
Here are some key tips to consider when selecting and installing laminate flooring:
Colour: The selection of colour is important as you would need to consider practicality, aesthetics and longevity. While lighter colours are great for making a room appear larger keeping these clean may be more challenging. Darker colours tend to hide dirt a little more however this may also make a room appear smaller.
Patterns: Laminate flooring is generally laid in a single straight line pattern. Images of alternate patterns such as herringbone are achieved through Vinyl flooring (not laminate flooring – there is a difference). There is no right or wrong way to lay laminates however if you are applying these to a passage, it is recommended they run lengthways down the passage. There may be an exception where the passage walls are noticeably skew in which case a horizontal format will hide this characteristic better.
Transitions: Ensure smooth transitions between different floor types or areas by using transition strips. Laminate floors are typically thinner than tiles and you may require reducing strips to compensate for the height difference.
Expansion Joints: Check the manufacturers specification for detailed instructions. Typically, the maximum coverage is continuous 10m. This means that at laminate boards may not run for more than 10m without an expansion joint. The reason for this is that the boards need to have space to expand and contract to avoid them pitching or tenting. The placement of expansion joints should be carefully considered and it is best to place these in the centre of rooms or where one functional area in an open plan transitions into another (example where the lounge transitions into the dining room).
Functionality: Laminate Flooring is perfect for indoor areas where there is relatively little moisture. It is recommended that laminates are not used in wet areas such as kitchen’s and bathrooms however few manufacturers prohibit this. As laminates are made from a wooden composite, if you have dogs, you may hear noises from their nails when they walk over certain makes of boards. Also, there may well be some sounds as people walk over the boards. The placement of “sound reducing” underlay may limit the noise however generally will not elimate it. If sounds are important to you or you would like to install these in wet areas, a vinyl board may be a more appropriate choice
Choosing Materials
Screed: The levelness of the substrate is critical in laminate flooring installations. Each manufacturer will have their own requirements measured as a height variance over distance. Be sure you understand these requirements before installing boards as there tends to be a high failure rate and “bouncing” where these are not. Your manufacturer guarantee is also likely to be declined in the event of a Claim. The use of self levelling screed is common place to achieve a level finish. In sever cases, it is often better to place a new “topping” of builders screed
Board: Check the rating of the boards and compare this to the intended use. Boards are rated from AC1 to AC5;
AC1. Suitable for low traffic. Best suited to use in bedrooms or rooms with little traffic.
AC2. Suitable for moderate traffic such as entertainment areas
AC3. Suitable for heavy traffic in residential spaces
AC4. Suitable for moderate traffic in commercial spaces such as offices
AC5. Suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces such as common areas or retail stores
Underlay: The use of correct underlay is vital as it ensures moisture from the substrate doesn’t rise up and penetrate the boards. It is recommended a 200 micron LDPE virgin plastic is used. Sheets should be overlapped by at least 200mm and secured with moisture resistant duct tape.
Type of Contractor
Selecting an appropriate Contractor is one of the most important choices you will make. A good Contractor will help make the process comfortable and produce a good outcome. A poor choice may result in failure in years to come or at worst, having to re-do the project. Your consideration must take into account your needs, desired outcome, your involvement and technical know-how and your appetite for risk and lastly your budget.
Basic: These Installers are often self-taught or learnt the trade informally from others. These Contractors are found outside hardware stores and provide basic installation services however often don’t have detailed know-how of correct installation methods. While this may save money at the start, small mistakes could lead to total failure causing you to redo the project. Select this category of contractor is you have the technical know-how and able to supervise the installation yourself.
General Contractor: These are typically small businesses who have experience in general building projects and perform tiling as part of a broad suite of services. These contractors typically have vehicles, tools and some level of technical tiling knowledge and able to project manage the job. Be sure your Contractor has the technical knowhow for laminate flooring else, rather select a Specialist for this portion of your project.
Laminate Flooring Specialist: These are contractors who have extensive experience in laminates and have received formal training on correct installation techniques. These contractors typically have vehicles, the correct tools and able to perform an installation to specification. For additional security, check if they are Members of SAWLFA flooring Association. To become a members, Installers must undergo training and an assessment. Visit https://sawlfa.co.za/
Prices
Laminate flooring installation prices in South Africa are influenced by several factors most notably the type of contractor, technical know-how and size of area covered. Bewae of hidden costs such as removal of existing flooring, installation of skirtings and quarterrounds and transition strips. The cost for staircases will increase dramatically due to the complexity. Here are typical laminate flooring installation costs however these may differ by region
| Basic | General Contractor | Laminate Specialist |
Laminate Flooring Boards | R70 – R90 | R80 – R100 | R90 – R120 |
Screed (labour only – no materials) | R30 – R40 | R40 – R60 | R40 -R60 |
Notes:
- Prices are indicative only and reflect averages based on our experience in the market.
- Tiling prices above can’t always be applied to smaller areas and in these cases, a day rate is often charged.
- You can expect a reasonably good Installer to cover 20m² to 30m² per day in smaller spaces which require cutting (bedrooms) and 25m² to 40m² in open areas such as living areas.
Things to be aware of.
- Ensure the same Batch number on every box of boards purchased. If not, there is a risk they will have different shades. If they not the same, you have the right to demand an exchange.
- Ensure the boards are acclimatised by being placed in the room (unopened) where they will be installed for at least 48 hours prior. This is to ensure the boards are exposed to the characteristics of the environment before they are installed.
- Not all underlays as made equal. Be sure you purchase the recommended underlay and don’t ever re-use underlay.
10 checks to assess if your Installer knows their stuff
- Checks all boards are from the same batch
- Checks the substrate levels against manufacturer requirements and advises you if not
- Tests moisture levels of the substrate and writes these down on the substrate before installing the boards
- Ensure boards are properly acclimatised for 48 hours
- Ensure no single cut is less than 300mm in length. Adjusts the layout to achieve this.
- Uses appropriate underlay and overlaps these by 200mm or more
- Tapes the pieces of underlay together.
- Leaves 12mm to 15mm space between the board and walls and columns (perimeter joint)
- Ensures the adhesive used for the transition strips doesn’t spill onto the boards thereby bonding the floor board to the transition strip.
- Has the correct cutting tools and mitre box to cut skirtings at the correct angles
COMPANY MEMBERSHIPS
SAWLFA
Flooring Association
CONSUMER GOODS & SERVICES OMBUD
Fairplay between consumer & supplier
OnCall Franchising (Pty) Ltd [Reg 2021/854171/07]
t/a The Installation Company