Laminate flooring is a component of the floor coverings of buildings. As a result it is traded all over the world. There are three types of "laminate flooring". One is the Vinyl laminate or hybrid flooring. For this go to VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING. Second is the timber laminate or engineered timber flooring. For this go to FLOATING TIMBER FLOORING and the third is Laminate laminate proper which is what this article covers. Concord floors trades in the sale, supply and installation of flooring in the following areas: all of Melbourne and especially its' suburbs of: caroline springs/hoppers crossing/werribee/deer park/st albans/derrimut. For a complete list see Locations we service
Laminate flooring's role is to provide a hard flooring surface that has the utilities of: easy cleanability, stain resistance and maintenance, a hard unscratchable and indestructable top surface on which children can boistrously play and generally be suitable for rough activities such as dragging chairs and tables across the surface. As laminate flooring is a big part of the interior of the home, it forms an important part of a home's interior decor scheme and thereby the enjoyment its occupants experience whilst living in the home.
As a recent arrival on the hard flooring surface market it competes with the traditional laminate flooring items such as ceramic tiles, vinyl and solid and floating timbers. Laminate flooring is a floating laminate floor which means it can move by expanding or contracting widthwise and lengthwise and isn't fixed to the sub-floor. Laminate flooring prices of the materials and the cost of installation of this floating floor make it cheaper than it traditional flooring rivals and unsurprisingly it has overtaken its rivals.
Today most project builders of new homes include laminate flooring. This is especially the case in suburbs that have residential land developement such as Hoppers Crossing, Werribee, Caroline Springs, Point Cook and Derrimut where houses are being built under competetive pricing conditions in the building market. Concord Floors trades in laminate flooring obtaining lot of orders for sale and installation of laminate flooring in new homes from such builders and building companies in these areas.
COST OF LAMINATE FLOORING
BELOW ARE SPECIALS THAT ARE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER FLOORING MATERIALS
COST OF INSTALLING A LAMINATE FLOOR
The cost of installing a laminate floor is low and is competetive with other flooring materials. For actual prices see
The system of work is easy and the equipment needed to do the work is low in cost.
USING LAMINATE FLOORING CAN MAKE HOME CONSTRUCTION EASIER
A huge advantage of laminate floooring installations is that unevenness of the subloor (concrete slab or particle board if a double story house) can be on occassions hidden and thereby massive floorlevelling costs avoided. See last two pictures above.
It is important to be able to have the floor boards installed properly and equally important to not breach the States' building laws in doing it.
In order to be able to select the best laminate flooring boards most appropriate for one's job one needs to understand something about their manufacturing, their performance's strengths and weaknesses.
Index to this article is:
Laminate flooring (also called floating wood tile in the United States) is the end product when sheets of manufactured laminate is cut and molded into shapes of laminate flooring boards and packaged and sold to flooring stores. The boards are multi-layer flooring product forced together in a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone).
The top very hard surface layer consists of ScratchGuard Advanced and PermaMaxTM making it an excellant wear layer. It is clear, transparent, moisture resistant, and the protective layer of the board. The second layer has the photographic applique decoration of color and patterns (timbers or stones) giving the floor its realistic appearance under the top layer.The third layer, inner core, is usually composed of Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or high-density fiberboard (HDF) which is a water-resistant substrate layer. The fourth layer is the balance layer and serves to give the board dimensional stability. Upon laying it prevents bowing, twisting, tenting at the edges (joins) of the board or collapsing.
There is a European Standard No. EN 13329:2000 specifying laminate floor covering requirements and testing methods. see how laminate is made
Laminate flooring has grown significantly in popularity, perhaps because it may be easier to install and maintain than more traditional surfaces such as hardwood flooring. It may also have the advantages of costing less and requiring less skill to install than alternative flooring materials. It is reasonably durable, hygienic (several brands contain an antimicrobial resin), and relatively easy to maintain. More CARING FOR YOUR LAMINATE FLOOR
Where hard floor surfaces are needed in a home's non-wet areas, laminate flooring is eminently suitable as it can be installed over concrete or timber floors. Laminate flooring has gained in popularity due to the fact it is the cheapest floor, amongst it's competition, that can be installed. It is also the easiest to install and ideal for the DIY.
Another reason for installing a laminate floor is its fantastic scratch and fade resistant surface, and long life wearability. However they can't be resurfaced by sanding or polishing.
Laminate floorboards lock into each other at their perimiter boundaries with an engineered locking system to form one continuous floor. They simply click together and when in place they stay together.
To be in a position to assess the qualities of particular brands of laminate floor boards it is necessary to better understand the performance characteristics of the laminate that they are made up of.
Laminates come in various thicknesses starting with 6mm and progressing to 7mm, 8mm, 10mm and finally to 12mm. The price goes up with every mm of thickness. Concord floors concentrates it's effort on 8mm and 12 mm boards which is the quality end of the market.
These boards are 8mm thick and can rank as top quality boards if the core of these boards are made out of high density fiberboard or HDF. If the core is made out of MDF they aren't quite as good.
The distinguishing features of these boards are; whether they are made out of high density fiberboard or HDF or MDF or medium density fiberboard and the surface hardness of the boards.
These are photos of laminate boards that are 12mm thick that were supplied/sold to the owners of the homes and installed for them by Concord Floors.
Laminate is the building block of laminate boards which have many uses including in the production of laminate flooring floor boards. Other uses of laminate board is mainly for furniture, doors, skirting boards and cabinets.
How to select the best laminate floor? In answering this we need to examine the manufacturing process of the laminate boards and the quality testing of the boards.
Multilayers of materials are pressed together to form one solid compact block of material. The multilayers are:
The making process
These tests are:
The laminate floor boards that perform best in the above performance tests for laminate flooring are the best laminate flooring. It follows logically that it all starts with the manufacturing process. the quality of the the print ink determines ability of laminate flooring to retain its color when exposed to a light source having a frequency range approximating sunlight through window glass. The quality of the first surface sheet determines ease of cleanability and stain resistance of laminate flooring to resist to common household substances and ability of laminate flooring to resist fracture due to impact by a large diameter ball and small diameter ball. The glue used in making the fibre core base will determine the ability of laminate flooring to resist increase in thickness after being exposed to water. The glue can make the board waterproof.
A major factor in determining the quality of the board is its thickness which is specified as the distance between the base of the board and the top of the board. Laminate flooring floor boards start at 6mm and the thicker boards are around 12mm. The thicker boards bring the following advantages:
laminate flooring is often made of melamine resin, a compound made with formaldehyde. The formaldehyde is more tightly bound in Melamine-formaldehyde (MF) than it is in Urea-formaldehyde (UF), reducing emissions and potential health effects. Thus LEED V2.2's EQ Credit 4.4 preconcludes the use of UF, but allows the use of MF.
Laminted flooring is commonly used in LEED residential and commercial applications.
One must be on guard to buy laminates made out of MF material and not UF material which will be certainly cheap for reasons given above. Unscrupulous importers might be importing UF boards and selling them at discounted prices with which MF boards can't compete with.
How boards are manufactured is important. Badly manufactured boards where engineering tolerances are low, generally produce boards that "squick" when walked on. Nothing is more annoying, and it can't be fixed.
Quality glueless laminate floors use joining mechanisms which hold the planks together under constant tension. The best locking systems are patented and the manufacturer must pay licence fees for their use so to avoid paying these fees some manufacturers don't use them and opt to using inferior locking systems.It is the locking systems that prevent dirt and water from entering the joints. With good locking systems joins don't open up and there is no need to tap the boards back together again periodically.
Quality boards are made out of high density core layer and the cheaper boards out of medium density core layer.
The comparison of cheap boards to quality boards are as follows:
The word "floating" refers to the method of the floors installation and the floor's behavior upon and after installation. When a floor is installed as a floating floor the boads connect to each other but not to the subfloor. The method of connection between the boards is a fold and lock mechanism. Upon completion of laying no gaps are visible between them and are watertight for a very brief period of time to pooled water.
The completed floor as a whole is free to expand if it absorbs moisture from the environment and contract when it loses it. To allow for this movement a gap is left around the entire perimeter of the floor in order to prevent the bucklling of the floor. This gap is covered with scotia or quadding.
The floating floor has foam underlay underneath it to seperate it from the subfloor.
The laminate word refers to the composition of the materials board. See laminate
As a result of the above when the floor is walked on, one can hear a slight drummy sound. What helps to reduce the volume of this sound is accoustic (noise absorbant) underlay. It won't eliminate the noise completely but it will help.
The overall, birds eye view is described in FLOATING LAMINATE FLOOR
For a more indepth instruction manual for a beginner wishing to lay the flooring boards himself and would like some general guidance from a proffessioal layer of floating floors, in this case the manager of Concord Floors, please go to our section INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING
This is an excellent, authorative, step by step method for laying floating floors. The plentiful photograghs of each step make the guide document easily understandable for beginners in floor board laying of floating floors.
Blackbutt, blackbutt! You are the warmest floor. Clean, honey, mellow yellow color has magnificent charm welcoming inside all those that step onto it. It combines well with all other colors.
The colors of spotted gum interact beautifully with any other color and in a sense is the most color neutral laminate floor. It won't clash with any wall or cabinet colors.
Oak laminate flooring gives the floor an authentic timber look. They come in a variety of colors so any color scheme can be enhanced by the board's color
This term refers to floating timber flooring on which we have complete file. See FLOATING TIMBER FLOORING
This term refers to floating timber flooring on which we have complete file. See FLOATING TIMBER FLOORING
This term refers to floating timber flooring on which we have complete file. See FLOATING TIMBER FLOORING
If the kitchen is used normally and no big spills of liquids takes place, then normal laminate flooring can be used. Indeed when I have laid a houselot of laminate flooring the kichen floor was the same as the rest of the flooring in the same home. If repetetive spilling of liquids is taking place then please consider other flooring materials. Please see waterproof laminate flooring below.
This term refers to floating hybrid flooring on which we have complete file. These laminates have a vinyl top layer with an appropriate core layer. See VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING
Can laminate flooring be waterproof? If you read above how laminate is made you will find that the top surface layer is impervious to water. And if they have an excellent locking system for a period of time even pooled water will sit on top of the boards and not pass through the joins. If the tongue and groove of the locking system anad the backing balance layer is properly impregnated with a waterproofing chemical material then it will be waterproof. But what happens when one walks on the boards and in the locking system joins there is movement and resulting friction that wears out this waterproofing material or the material simply degrades with time. And why does every manufacturer insist on expansion gaps in the laying of the boards to accommodate swelling of the boards due to moisture absorption? If the core layer is made out of timber products moisture will cause it to swell and ruin the boards. My advice would be to test the board first - submerge it in water for a week and see what happens.
However if I was to take a punt on "waterproof laminate flooring" I would use vinyl laminate flooring VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING
Bathroom laminate flooring would have to be waterproof. For reasons stated above I would avoid this scenario.
Here if I was to take a punt I would use waterproof laminate flooring. For this see VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING
This is a big expense item costing between $1,500 to $2,500, and I would avoid it at all costs. You problem is, you are going to lose the bullnose of the steps and your staircase will no longer comply with the building code regulations. I have done only 3 staircases in 40 years.
If your enquiry is about laminate flooring cost, then:
The starting price for laminates fully installed, materials, labour and GST, $49.00/sq. metre. The range of colours is enormous thereby assisting you in the creation of a perfectly balanced, harmonious interior colour scheme. Some of the laminate styles are modern affording you a modern look floor.
CHEAP LAMINATE FLOORING BOARDS that carry a AC1 and AC2 rating are the cheapest. Concord Floor Coverings Pty Ltd doesn't sell them.
If you are interested in hybrid laminate flooring on which we have a complete file go to: VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING
If your enquiry is about timber laminate flooring cost, we have a complete file on this, then go to FLOATING TIMBER FLOORING
If your enquiry is about floating bamboo flooring cost, we have a complete file on this, then go to BAMBOO FLOORING
We have a complete file covering this subject.VINYL LAMINATE FLOORING
A big selection of colors and styles in 7mm, 8mm and 9mm thickness floorboards.
It is a German brand made in Germany
The selectiion of thickness, width and lenggth profliles are: 1285x194x7mm, 1285x194x8mm, 1285x400x8mm, 1285x158x8mm, 1285x400x8mm, 2200x243x9mm, 2200x245x8mm, 858x143x8mm, 853x400x8mm, 1285x194x9mm,
The starting price for laminates fully installed, materials, labour and GST, $49.00/sq. metre. The range of colours is enormous thereby assisting you in the creation of a perfectly balanced, harmonious interior colour scheme. Some of the laminate styles are modern affording you a modern look floor.
Our cheapest laminate floor board costs $17.50 per square metre if the order is above 30 square metres.
CHEAP LAMINATE FLOORING BOARDS that carry a AC1 and AC2 rating are the cheapest. Concord Floor Coverings Pty Ltd doesn't sell them.
Underlays come in rolls lengths of 20 metres by 1.00 metres wide by 2-3mm in thickness. Most are imperious to water an important factor. The more expensive ones are accoustically rated for reducing noise levels on footfall.
All the timber classes exude a feel and style when one looks at them.
For a discussion on colors, styles and home interior design, should you be interested, please go to our home interior design section. Here you should find readily understandable principles and rules for building a pleasing balanced harmonious interior color scheme. But the right color scheme and carpet style for you is the one that you find the most appealing. Please click on HOME INTERIOR DESIGN
Measure the length and width of a room in metres and simply multiply the two figures. Then for wastage multiply by 5-7%
If you are interested in laying the floating timber flooring boards yourself and would like some general guidance from a proffessioal layer of floating floors, in this case the manager of Concord Floors, for guidance on floating timber floor installation please go to our section INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING. Please click on INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING
This is an excellent, authorative, step by step method for laying floating timber flooring. The plentiful photograghs of each step make the guide document easily understandable.
If you buy your floating timber flooring floorboards from a retail flooring store they will generally have a list of floating timber flooring layers and their contact details which they will pass on to you. However these stores generally have layers working for them directly and so they will contract to you themselves to lay your floorboards. This is the case should you buy from Concord Floors. If you buy from Bunnings they don't have such a service.
Concord Floors is willing to install the flooring for you, so please contact us by telephone 0412 740 200, or email m.krpina@hotmail.com
If you buy your laminate floating flooring floorboards from a retail flooring store they will generally have a list of flooring layers and their contact details which they will pass on to you. However these stores generally have layers working for them directly and so they will contract to you themselves to lay your floorboards. This is the case should you buy from Concord Floors. If you buy from Bunnings they don't have such a service.
Concord Floors is willing to install the flooring for you, so please contact us by telephone 0412 740 200, or email m.krpina@hotmail.com
In the year 2004 the government of Victoria passed in the Victorian Parliment, an Act called " Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004". This name is abbreviated often to "OHS". You can purchase or download this Act
This subject is discussed in the Carpet Installation section CARPET INSTALLATION
Water and laminate flooring are enemies. Laminates absorb water and when they do so they increase in the size of their volume and consequently swell. This swelling cases them to warp. So please don't use a mop and bucket filled with water. Instead use an electrostatic mop that picks up dust using static electricity. Where there are stains use a damp sponge only. Water spills aren't a problem as long as they are wiped up quickly, and not allowed to sit for a prolonged period of time. Some brands are equipped with water resistant coatings.
It is important to keep laminate clean, as dust, dirt, and sand particles may scratch the surface over time in high traffic areas.
Where the boards have become seperated, creating gaps between the boards, tap the boards back together using the appropriate tapping tool in order to prevent dirt filling the gaps, thus in future making it more difficult to put into place.
Adhesive pads are often placed on the feet of furniture on laminate floors to prevent scrathing.
Other then this please don't do anything else to your floor.
The best place to buy laminate flooring is Concord Floors if you live in Melbourne and one of its western suburbs such as: Derrimut, Deer Park, St. Albans, Hillside, Taylors Hill, Taylors Lakes, Burnside, Sydenham, Delahey, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Caroline Springs, altona, altona Meadows. But if you live in any of the suburbs in the locations that we service (see locations below) the same applies. The following are some of the reasons:
We are a mere 30 minutes drive to any of the above areas and we operate and carry-on business in these areas. These areas are close to our business premises which are in Derrimut. This helps us when go to clients' premises to show them laminate flooring specimens and give them quotes, and when it comes to traveling to do the laying work. We are close to you if you want to come to our business premises.
Concord Floors is Concord Floor Coverings Pty Ltd. Being an Australian company it is regulated by the Australian Corporations Act 2001. This Act specifys that a company shouldn't mislead or deceive it's customers. The Act doesn't cover noncompany or backyard operators. In dealing with us you are dealing with a company with a bricks and mortar physical address that will be there in years to come, and that won't shut up shop and move to an overseas country to escape and leave behind its problems.
Concord Floor Coverings Pty Ltd is a company complying with the OHS Act- Occupatioal Health and Safety Act, legislated by the Victorian Parliment. The main layer is certified to perform construction work. Should an accident occur on site during the laying process, you will be at least able to say to the Act inspector that you did your best to prevent an accident and for this reason not to press charges against you.
Concord Floors/Concord Floor Coverings Pty Ltd is the actual installer/layer that lays your floor boards and it isn't a marketing company or organisation marketing the laying/installation services of other layers/installers, who might be individual layers or retail floor board stores. When you pay us we don't hand over a cut of this money to a marketing company or organisation marketing the laying/installation services of Concord Floors. As a result of this we are under no pressure to increase our quotes to compensate for this surcharge. For this reason, most likely you will be saving money when you deal with us.
When we install and lay a laminate floor we give to the customer a written warranty, covering a period of 12 months from date of laying.
We are inviting our customers to use our premium shop at home service.
In this service the customer gets to see a sample of the flooring material that they are contemplating buying, in the setting of their own home. 80% of the time the colour of the
material they select in the shop is not the colour that they select in their home. Our customers in this way make better choices.
This service is free.
If you want to go through the show room, it is strictly by appointment only. Call us on 0412 740 200 and make a booking. Our premises are in the suburb: DERRIMUT, Melbourne.