ABOUT LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring was invented in Sweden in the early 1980s. It arose as an attempt to adapt the laminate material widely used in worktops to a flooring. This required the development of materials which could withstand much more wear. Typically laminate flooring is ten times more durable than laminate worktops.

Laminate flooring spread from Sweden to other parts of Europe, and entered the USA market in the early 1990s. It is now hugely popular throughout Europe and the USA. Consumers have found that it is an extremely practical and attractive type of flooring, particularly for kitchens and bathrooms. Laminate flooring is available in an enormous variety of colours and patterns, the most popular being wood effect.

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Laminate flooring is usually made up of four layers: overlay (high wear transparent melamine resin); decorative paper (with colour pattern printed on it); core layer (high density or medium density fibreboard); and stabilizing layer (moisture resistant resins). There are two types of decorative paper layer. In the Direct Pressure Laminate process (DPL) the decorative covering layer and the stabilizing layer are pressed together onto the core layer. In the High Pressure Laminate process (HPL) the decorative paper and overlay are pressed first onto special high strength paper; this high pressure laminate is glued to the core layer in a second process. The HPL process creates a much tougher floor, which is more resistant to dents.

LEADING UK SUPPLIERS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

The following UK suppliers of laminate flooring have comprehensive and informative websites, with information on types of laminate flooring, and laying of laminate flooring.

Alloc: Laminate Flooring. Alloc of Norway is a leading manufacturer of laminate flooring. Originating as a company making lacquered boards for the shipbuilding industry, Alloc started production of high pressure laminate flooring in 1992. In 1996 it introduced a mechanical locking system that allows the laminate boards to be laid without glue.

Elesgo: Laminate Flooring. Elesgo of Germany specialises in manufacturing laminate flooring with a very high gloss finish, under the brand name Superglanz. It is constructed of seven layers, and is available in wood effect and stone effect patterns. The Elesgo Aqua Floor is a laminate floor specially designed to resist frequent exposure to water.

Flooring Direct: Laminate Flooring. Flooring Direct is a leading online-only retailer of laminate and wood flooring. It supplies laminate flooring manufactured by Quick Step and by Alloc. Flooring Direct will provide an online quote at its website, and offers a samples service. Flooring Direct guarantees to match any price for the same product.

Floors 2 Go: Laminate Flooring. Floors 2 Go is the UK's largest retailer of laminate and wood flooring, selling online and through 140 stores in the UK. Its four ranges of laminate flooring are: Urban Collection, three strip; Linea Collection, traditional full plank two strip flooring; Senso Collection, laminate with two bevel edges; and Connoisseur Collection, with four bevel edges.

Quick Step: Laminate Flooring. Quick Step of Belgium is a leading manufacturer of laminate flooring. Its products simulate different woods, including Oak, Beech, Birch, Maple, Pine, Cherry, Pearwood, and Walnut. Other Quick Step laminate flooring simulate exotic hardwoods including Teak, Jatoba, Wenge, and Merbau. Quick Step laminate flooring can be used with underfloor heating.

Useful links relevant to laminate flooring:

Contract Flooring Association

Wikipedia article on Laminate Flooring

DETAILED INFORMATION RESOURCES ON LAMINATE FLOORING

We recommend the following websites, with building product information including manufacturers' specs, standard specifications, and CAD details: Barbour Compendium, RIBA Product Selector Plus, ASC Bricsnet, Building Products Index, British Board of Agrément, British Standards Online.

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Publisher: Abacus Construction Index is a professionally edited directory of recommended construction websites, published by Extonet Ltd which also publishes Lives Retold. It is financed only by Google advertisements; no payment is received from included websites.