AC
Rating (return to top)
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AC 1 House, One Person, (Residential, Moderate Traffic: Suitable for bedrooms or guest rooms) |
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AC 2 Residential, General Traffic: Suitable for living rooms or dining rooms |
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AC 3 Residential, Heavy Traffic: Suitable for all areas |
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AC 3 (Kingston, Kingston
Plus, Arianna, Cordelia) Commercial, Moderate Traffic: Hotel rooms, small office |
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AC 4 (Marcella, Mirabella) Commercial, General Traffic: Office, boutique, café |
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AC 5 (Quintessa) Commercial, Heavy Traffic: Public buildings, department stores |
Acclimation (return to top)
Why do I have to acclimate planks for 48 hours (the store and other manufactures/Armstrong said no acclimation needed)?
Formica flooring
like all laminate flooring is made from high density fiber board
which responds to temperature and humidity. Even the trip from
the store to your house could expose the planks to a different
environment. Therefore, BEFORE opening the packaging please acclimate
all planks for 48 hours by laying each box horizontally and individually
in the center of the room, in which they are to be installed.
Boards won’t lock together
(return to top)
I’m trying to install your
laminate in my living room but the boards won’t lock together.
What should I do?
Several factors could contribute to the
difficulty you are experiencing
1) Were the planks acclimated 48 hours in the room they are to
be installed?
2) Is this a climate controlled environment?
3) Do the boxes lay flat on the floor? If not - flip the boxes
over and acclimate for an additional 24-28 hours
4) Measure the boards from opposite corners- diagonally to check
for square
5) Did you scribe the first row against the wall? Unevenness in
the wall can be transferred thru the planks.
6) Try locking the plank on the end with your dominate hand then
working toward the other end of the plank
Chipping during installation (return
to top)
I noticed that raised sections along the
joint of two planks are chipping. Why?
How can I avoid this?
It is very important to keep the tongue
and grove clean of any debris and check corners of your planks
carefully. We recommend using a soft bristle brush frequently
during installation to avoid debris in the locking system.
Chips can also result from improper tapping tools or techniques,
improper acclimation or concealed shipping damage not discovered
during installation.
Chipped boards (return
to top)
Can I use chipped boards?
Do not install any planks with visual defects.
Chipped boards can be used for cut planks along the left and right
walls. Use planks with damage to the grove end along the right
wall and planks with damage to the tongue end along the left wall.
Please make sure the chipped parts will be hidden underneath the
quarter round or base molding.
Christmas tree (return
to top)
Is it OK to put a Christmas tree on my laminate
floor?
Yes, as long as the tree stand has felt
protectors and any water spills are wiped up immediately.
Cleaning (return
to top)
How should I clean laminate flooring?
We recommend purchasing a laminate flooring
cleaning kit. You can also clean your laminate floor using a damp
mop and a homemade cleaning aid made from 3 parts of water and
1 part of vinegar.
Please see below for specific stain removal suggestions:
Juice, Wine, Grease, Chocolate: Dampen a rag
with water and a laminate floor cleaner and spot clean.
Cigarette Burns, Asphalt, Shoe Polish, Paint, Ink, Crayon,
Dried Foods, Nail Polish: Dampen a rag with rubbing alcohol
or nail polish remover and spot clean.
Candle Wax, Chewing Gum: Allow to harden and
gently scrape with a plastic scraper.
Concrete Walls (return
to top)
I have a concrete floor and concrete walls
in my basement and I know that a 6m vapor barrier is required.
Are there any other requirements I need to be aware of?
The vapor barrier should be extended 2”
to 4” up each wall and folded or cut back after the planks
are installed to fit behind the wallbase molding.
This creates a tub effect and impedes moisture from wicking into
the side of the floor planks from the concrete wall.
Please avoid extreme variations in temperature and humidity. The
ideal room temperature is between 64º F and 94º F and
the humidity should not exceed 75%.
Conditions (return
to top)
What are the specific climatic controlled
conditions required to install Formica flooring?
Installation should take place at room temperature
of at least 64°F. The following climatic conditions in the
room must be ensured before, during and for at least three days
after installation:
Floor Surface min 59°F
Room Temperature min 64°F
Room Humidity max 75% (35% - 75%)
Before opening the packaging, acclimatize planks for 48 hours
by laying each box horizontally and individually in the center
of the room, in which they are to be installed.
Cork Underlayment (return
to top)
When installing laminate flooring on a cement
floor, after laying the black vapor barrier, should one lay the
white foam sheeting on top of that prior to laying the laminate
flooring, or would the laminate go directly on the vapor barrier?
Can I use 3/8” cork underlayment?
You should always use underlayment padding
above the vapor barrier and below the laminate flooring planks.
If a pad is pre-attached, no additional underlayment should be
used.
Yes, 3/8” cork underlayment is a premium underlayment and
can be used to help meet the required sound standards e.g. in
condos. The cost can be high as much as $3 per square foot.
Please be advised that density can be an issue directly related
to performance. Therefore, purchase cork underlayment supplied
by US Floors, Natural Floors or National Cork as product from
QEP may or may not consistently meet our preferred density requirement
for maximum performance.
Different locking system
(return to top)
I installed Formica laminate flooring in
my kitchen and living room about two years ago and would like
to expand the floor into my dining room. I purchased the same
color but noticed that the locking system seems to have changed.
What do you suggest? Can I install the flooring anyways?
You won’t be able to look the new
planks directly into the existing floor but you’ll be able
to “connect” the existing floor with your new floor
by installing a transition profile between both.
DPL vs. HPL laminate (return
to top)
Is Formica a DPL or HPL laminate?
Two methods are used to manufacture laminate
flooring, Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL) and High Pressure laminate
(HPL). Direct pressure laminate is made up of four layers, while
a High Pressure Laminate is made up of a minimum of 5 layers.
Is one better than the other? Yes. HPL is a far superior product.
The addition of Phenolic treated sheets make the HPL a far stronger,
more dent resistant and stable product. The catch is that it comes
with a higher price tag. Do you need HPL in your home? Probably
not! Read below for more details.
DPL (Direct Pressure Laminate)
Direct pressure laminate is the most typical fusing method used
to manufacture residential laminate flooring. The surface, inner
layers and backing layer are fused in a single press operation.
HPL (High Pressure Laminate)
High pressure laminate is an extra-hard fusing process used to
manufacture laminate flooring. The surface, inner layers and backing
layer are fused in a multiple step press operation. This process
creates the most durable laminate construction.
DIRECT PRESSURE (DPL) CONSTRUCTION
Made of four layers:
1. An impact resistant top layer provides a protective finish.
= OVERLAY
2. The high quality printed design layer in various colors and
patterns. = DÉCOR PAPER
3. A high density fiber board (HDF) comprises the core. = HDF
BOARD
4. The bottom balancing layer to equalize pressure and keep the
board straight. = BACKER
HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE FLOORING (HPL) CONSTRUCTION
1. High Performance Wear Layer = Durable
protective surface resists scuffs, stains and fading.
2. Decorative Sheet = Provides a broad range of stunning visuals
in both woodgrain and natural tile looks.
3. Phenolic Treated Kraft Sheets = Helps provide additional impact
resistance and sound deadening properties.
4. Penetrating Seam Sealant = Hot wax-oil emulsion treatment penetrates
HDF fibers for long-term moisture protection.
5. Water-Resistant High Density Fiberboard = Provides improved
structural integrity and additional moisture protection
6. Phenolic Treated Kraft Sheets = Helps provide additional impact
resistance and sound deadening properties.
7. Balancing Layer = Made from the same HPL material as the flooring's
surface, the balancing layer helps keep flooring panels level
and ensures a better installation.
End Joints(return
to top)
What is the advantage of tapping end joints?
This technique allows you to work on multiple
rows at the same time in a stair-step fashion, first row longer
than the next and so on…
It applies to all Formica products with the exception of flooring
with our G5 locking system e.g. Formica Quintessa.
Professional installers can have more than
one installer at a time locking planks together - time and square
footage is money!
The do-it-yourselfer does not need a helper to lock a long row
to the preceding row.
And the advantages for both are
1) Only handling cut pieces once to cut then installing them directly
into the floor saves time and effort
2) Heavy furniture does NOT have to be moved out of the room
Potentially over time this technique could perform better (remain
locked to a tighter tolerance than end joints engaged without
tapping)
Expansion gaps (return
to top)
How much expansion gap do I have to leave?
Please leave a minimum of 3/8” clearance.
Exterior doorway (return
to top)
Is there anything I need to be aware of
when installing laminate flooring in front of an exterior door?
Thank you for your purchasing Formica flooring.
There are some things you may want to keep in mind:
Before you install planks in front of an exterior doorway, be
sure to shave away the locking system from the side which will
face the exterior door. That piece will be on the edge of the
floor exposed to extreme conditions. The gap between the exterior
entrance and your first piece of laminate flooring should be filled
with 100% silicone sealant to protect the flooring from moisture.
We do not recommend having an end joint directly in the traffic
path, however sometimes it may unavoidable.
For esthetic reasons we suggest laying the laminate underneath
the door jams after cutting them using a saw especially designed
for door jams available at any hard ware or home improvement store.
You may also want to use a small bead of glue on the tongue of
the locking system of the planks in the entrance area or consider
using a door mat to help protect your floors against snow and
water that may be dragged in on shoes.
Fish Tank/Water Bed (return
to top)
I have two rooms in which I would like to
install your laminate flooring. The first room has a queen size
water bed and the other has a large fish aquarium. Can I install
laminate in these rooms?
Formica laminate flooring may be installed in both rooms provided
that neither the waterbed nor the aquarium leak. While smaller
spills can be wiped off quickly and won’t harm the laminate
floor larger spills can cause serious damages to the core material
and are not covered by our warranty. Therefore you should be very
cautious when filling, emptying or cleaning the aquarium! Also,
please make sure the aquarium is level and the weight is distributed
evenly. We recommend setting it up on a piece of furniture with
a solid base rather than a four-legged stand.
Fireplace (return
to top)
How close to a fireplace or wood stove can
I install you laminate?
Please check your local building code for
the recommended distance. If no building code exists please leave
at least 2 feet between the fireplace and your laminate floor.
Floating floor (return
to top)
If Formica is a floating floor, how does
it stay locked together?
It’s called floating floor because
the laminate is not glued, nailed or otherwise fastened to the
subfloor or walls and can expand and contract as temperature and
other conditions change. Floating floors gain their strength from
locking to the other planks in the floor.
Note: This is why 12” minimum end joint stager row to row
is so important!
Flooded floor (return
to top)
My floor was flooded. Can I keep my laminate
floor?
I am sorry for the flooding you have experienced.
Water is the worst enemy of laminate flooring. Please dry the
flooded area completely and as soon as possible. Your floors may
start to warp due to water that entered into the seams and made
them swell. You will need to de-install your flooring and let
the area/rooms dry completely before reinstalling new flooring.
Planks involved with floods caused by exterior water or waste
water are not recommended for re-installation.
Note floods are not covered by our warranty. Please contact your
homeowner’s insurance.
Furniture (return
to top)
I'm looking at installing your laminate
in my kitchen. Two questions:
1. Should/Can I install under the refrigerator?
2. Can I lift the center island out of the room, run the laminate
across the width of the kitchen, then fasten down the center island
back in the middle on top of the laminate?
Laminate flooring can be installed under your refrigerator but
should not be installed under any stationary or extremely heavy
furniture as this would prevent the flooring from expanding and
contracting. Please work around the island leaving an expansion
gap of 3/8” to the flooring.
We also recommend adding glue to all four sides of each plank
before installing the flooring around your sink, refrigerator
and any other areas where water may occasionally be present. All
expansion spaces in these areas must be filled with a 100% mildew
silicone sealant. This will help you prevent any damages.
Gaps (return
to top)
Cooler weather has caused gaps between the
planks in my floor, what should I do?
Ask the customer what part of the country they live in, and then
respond – in your part of the country cooler weather means
lower humidity…
The high density fiber board responds to extremes in temperature
and humidity, you may need to operate a humidifier.
Hallway (return
to top)
Which way should I install planks in a hallway?
Please install laminate flooring in your
hallway parallel to the long walls.
Healthier than carpet (return
to top)
Is laminate more hypo-allergenic than carpet?
Yes, the surface of laminate is so hard
it can not hold the allergens typically accumulated by softer
floor coverings.
This benefit is a good example of why laminate is the best flooring
option for children’s rooms or anyone concerned with health.
Holiday candle
(return to
top)
My holiday candle spilled wax on my floor.
Is it ruined?
What should I do?
Allow to harden and gently scrape with a
plastic scraper.
Remove any residues after scraping with rubbing alcohol or a nail
polish remover that does not contain vitamin E.
How to cut planks
(return to top)
How should I cut the planks?
Please use a high tooth count fiber tip
saw blade. Remember the “grill” (=the teeth of the
blade) should come in contact with the décor face of the
plank first.
This will reduce chipping. Chipping is not a big issue because
anytime you cut our planks you have removed the locking system
so the cut edge will be toward the wall and be covered by the
quarter round. Do not use any pieces that are less than 16 inches
in lengths.
Safety requirements:
You need to wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting planks
and they should be cut outside.
Professional installers may use a dustless cutter which can be
used inside because it does not generate dust.
Installation Instructions
(return to top)
Where can I get a copy of the installation
instructions?
Depending on the product you purchased the
installation instructions are printed inside the box or on a separate
slip sheet located in the box.
Laminate on steps (return
to top)
Can laminate flooring be installed on steps? Yes, Formica laminate
flooring can be installed on steps. Even though we speak of our
laminate as a floating floor… when installed on steps the
planks should be glued down with good quality wood glue. You may
need to trim the planks to make room for the nosing. The stair
nosing has to be nailed down or screwed in place. Allow for a
1/4-inch gap between the flooring and the base of the nosing for
flooring expansion. Shim up the nosing to match floor height if
needed.
- Work from the top step down.
- Remove any stair flooring that isn't a suitable base for laminate.
- Saw the overhanging edge of the nosing off flat, fix loose treads, and clean the stairs.
- Use leftover pieces where you can. Let stairs dry overnight before using them.
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On some staircases,
the underside of the nosing on the upper stairs is visible
from the bottom of the staircase. Check your stairs. If
you can see the bottom of the nosing, you can still install
laminate, but you should make a little adjustment to your
stairs first. You need to pad the risers with plywood. Measure
and cut a piece of plywood to fit against each riser and
screw it in place. Then just install the laminate as described
here. |
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Last Piece (return to top)
I am installing laminate flooring in place of carpet I removed. Since the wall base molding is high enough I can install the laminate under it and avoid using any quarter round. How do I get the last piece in the row installed?
You do not have to remove the wall base molding. Simply shave equal parts of the locking system off the top of the grove of the installed plank and the bottom of the tongue of the new plank and glue the long joint. Please be sure to leave an expansion gap of at least 3/8” between the wall behind your wall base and the flooring.
Mobile Homes (return to top)
Can I install Formica in my mobile home/trailer?
Conditional yes; the sub-floor must be clean, smooth and level within our stated tolerance. Older mobile homes may not have a vapor barrier, you may have to pull the skirt to access under the structure to check and install a vapor barrier. If there’s a dirt crawl space underneath your mobile home you should cover it with plastic to keep moisture from rising up.
A double wide can be wider than 25ft. Please remember to use a transition molding every 40ft in length and 25ft in width.
Moldings (return to top)
I am planning to buy matching moldings and trims for my laminate flooring.
How do I determine how much I need?
Measuring for the molding pieces you will need is a lot easier than you may think. Please measure for Wall Base and Quarter Round first. Simply measure each wall, write down each measurement, and then total them up. We recommend that you also add about 10% waste to your total. After you have the total running feet you need, divide it by the length that the molding is sold in. You can do the math either in inches or in feet. For example, if you came up with a total of 960" or 80' that you need, and the molding is sold in 96" or 8' lengths, you would need 10 pieces of molding. If you don't end up with an even number, it is always recommended that you round up to the next piece.
When it comes to transition type molding, it's a little different. You will need to measure each doorway or opening between rooms. As a rule of thumb, one piece of transition type molding will usually do two doorways, as long as the doorways are less than 36". The room temperature and humidity may vary from room to room and cause a different level of expansion and contraction. The transition (=T-molding) in the doorway will prevent the floor from buckling. Also, if you have an opening that is wider than one piece of molding, we recommend that you split it in the center as opposed to one big piece and a small cut piece. You may have a little bit more waste doing it this way, but overall it will look better with the seam being in the middle.
Please remember to use a T-molding in rooms measuring over 40’ so that dimensions don’t exceed 25” x 40” in any section.
Moisture Test (return to top)
Do I really need a moisture test for my concrete sub-floor, if yes, how do I get one?
Yes a moisture test is strongly recommended when installing laminate flooring over concrete.
There are some DIY moisture test kits available at home improvement stores that can be used. If a less than favorable reading is returned it may be necessary to do a more precise test like a calcium chloride test or use a meter special designed to read moisture levels in concrete. 3 lbs/24 hours/1000 square feet is the highest acceptable reading for a Calcium Chloride test and a reading of 4.5% or less when using a Tramex moisture meter. If you are having your floor professionally installed the installer should have access to either one of these tests and I highly recommend seeing the test results along with getting a copy for your records.
Please remember to always install a 6 mil polyethylene film as vapor barrier over concrete even if your moisture readings were fabulous.
Below you find more detailed information about the described tests:
THE RUBBER SHEET/PLASTIC MAT TEST
This is the most commonly used test. However, its margin of error is very great. For this test, you place a 36" x 36" mat on a clean concrete surface, secure the perimeter with duct tape and leave in place for a minimum of 48 hours. After removing the mat, inspect the concrete's surface for darkening, any signs of moisture droplets, surface drying (whitening) and how well the duct tape stuck to the concrete.
THE MOISTURE METER TEST
Moisture meters are growing in popularity because there is no waiting for the results. But sometimes the results can be misleading. If there are coatings on the concrete or conductive fibers in the concrete, you can get inaccurate high moisture readings. There are two basic types of moisture meters used: conductivity and impedance. The conductivity moisture meter works on the principle that water is conductive -- the more water, the better the conductivity. Thus, a high reading shows on the moisture meter. The concern is that there are coatings and additives on or in concrete that will cause false readings. The non-destructive impedance type of meter, which is more accurate, uses low-frequency radio waves that travel down into the concrete. The meter measures the speed at which the waves travel and the result is the percentage of moisture by volume present in the concrete. These meters, too, are very sensitive and should only be used on a clean, residue-free surface. While moisture meters are expensive, they are well worth the cost.
THE CALCIUM CHLORIDE TEST
This is the most widely recognized test because you can get a quantitative amount of the moisture that is migrating. It is measured by the weight of the water (8.3 lbs. per gallon) per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours. This moisture reading should not be higher than 3 lbs per 1,000 square feet.
PS: For more information visit: www.floortest.com/test.html
Moving (return to top)
I’m a contract worker who moves frequently. Can I move my Formica laminate floor?
Yes, Formica can be moved up to 3 times! The flooring should be removed carefully by taking each complete row apart along the long edge of the plank first and then separating the individual planks from each other on the short edge. It makes it easier to slightly raise the planks from the underside and place a hand under the short end connections. Lift the short edge until the two planks separate.
If you already know that you will be moving with your flooring we suggest buying a few additional cartons to cover for varying room sizes and damages during your move.
Narrowest Piece (return to top)
What is the narrowest piece of Formica I can use?
The narrowest piece must be 2.5 inches wide. This is about as wide as one strip on a three strip décor plank.
Please measure the net width of the room, deduct the space needed for expansion gaps on both sides and divide it by the width of the planks. This will give you the total number of rows (planks) for your project. If you come up with an uneven number of rows please remember that planks you cut lengthwise must be at least 1/3rd plank or 2.5 inches wide.
Example: Net width of room 96” minus 2 x 3/8” (expansion gap) divided by 7.6” (plank width) equals 12.53 planks. If you do not have at least .33 as a remainder you must rip the first row along the starting wall so the width of the last row against the finishing wall is at least 2.5 inches.
Note heavy furniture e.g. sofa, entertainment center generally sits along the walls. It is important to maintain this minimum due to the weight frequently delivered to the floor along the walls.
New construction (return to top)
I am planning to install laminate flooring in a new home. How long after dry walling and painting should I wait to install your flooring?
Please allow a minimum of:
- 3 days after dry wall installation and initial painting as they add a lot of humidity into the room
- 60 days for new concrete slab to “cure”
Installation (return to top)
Which wall should I start installing Formica along? Should the tongue or the groove be against the wall?
You can start installing your floor against any wall but some are better than others. Typically you want to run your laminate parallel to the main light source to decrease the visibility of the seam across the length of the product. In order to accomplish this you would need to start on the wall either to the left or the right of your main light source. If there is not a large window or main light source we recommend starting against the longest wall.
If all your doors are located on one wall it may be easier to start on that wall so you can slide your laminate underneath the door jams. You will want to start in the left side of the wall you pick with the tongue on the long side of a plank facing the wall. The tongue against the wall should be removed. You can use a sharp utility knife for the 7 or 8mm product but 10 or 12mm will require a saw. It is important to work from left to right to avoid damaging the tongues on the short side of the boards.
I also recommend installing the first and second row at the same time to insure everything is square. Basically what you are doing is using the second row to line up the first row before tapping the end joints together.
Pets (return to top)
I have seen your flooring products at Bob’s Floor & Décor in Hampton Virginia. I am thinking about using the Brazilian Cherry in my bird’s room, but have a few questions before I invest the dollars. Although the room is cleaned several times a day, we do get Bird droppings on the floor that may sit for an hour or two before they are cleaned up with a damp mop.
Q: Will the finish on your flooring product withstand the droppings without staining or other damage as long as they are cleaned off in a short period of time?
Formica flooring is hygienic and easy to keep clean. Routine cleaning requires just vacuuming or sweeping to prevent loose dirt or grit from scratching the floor’s finish. Bird droppings will not stain Formica flooring. We recommend the use of a damp mop to remove the droppings. Never use excessive amounts of water.
Q: In this application would it be advisable to use a continuous bead of glue to the edges of the planks?
Gluing the planks in areas that are exposed to moisture is highly recommended as it will keep any fluids from getting between the planks.
Q: Your "Care and Cleaning" instructions state "Do not use any cleaning agents containing wax, oil or polish." What type of agent is recommended to help care of the surface finish and minimize the effects of the bird droppings?
We recommend the use of our laminate floor cleaner which is available at selected retailers in a maintenance kit containing a 32 oz bottle of the laminate cleaner, a dust mop, felt protectors sized to fit chair and table sizes, an advanced cleaning formula and a redeemable coupon for a color fill repair kit. Please use felt protectors under furniture and replace all hard plastic or metal rollers on chairs with soft rubber rollers to avoid scratching the floor’s surface.
Plants (return to top)
I installed your laminate in my gym room with treadmill, stepper and lots of windows on one wall. I’m bringing my plants in for the winter, is it OK to put the plants around the treadmill?
It shouldn’t be a problem if you use extra precaution to protect the laminate floor from moisture. Moisture is the enemy of all laminate floors.
The number of plants that you’re planning to put inside this room may increase the humidity. Please ensure the humidity does not exceed 75%. Continue to use your HVAC!
Use planters that ensure no water will leak on your floor after watering. Wipe all spills off immediately.
Pull Bar (return to top)
Do I need a pull bar to install your laminate flooring, if yes why?
The majority of our floors require the use of a pull bar. A good rule to go by is if your floor requires the use of a tapping block then you are going to need a pull bar. Pull bars are used for the last plank in a row that ends at a vertical structure such as a wall. In these areas it is impossible to use a tapping block due to the limited amount of space so a pull bar is used instead. Please see below for pictures showing the use of a pull bar, expansion requirements, and the smallest usable piece.
Rental Property (return to top)
I have a rental property at the beach and now that the rental season is over I am refreshing it this winter.
Can I put Formica laminate flooring in my rental property?
Yes, you can install laminate flooring in your beach home provided that you continue to operate the heating and air all year to keep a constant temperature between 64º F and 94º F and a humidity not exceeding exceed 75%.
Room Size (return to top)
We are planning to install your laminate in our home. Our older daughter’s room measures 30 x 20 feet and our living room is 50 x 50 feet. What is the largest possible installation area for laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring can be installed throughout your home but is not recommended for humid rooms like bathrooms and saunas.
When installing laminate flooring a transition piece also called T- molding must be used in all doorways and in rooms measuring over 40’ in the direction of the long edge of the planks and 25’ in the direction of the short edge of the planks.
Please see attached picture and remember to leave 3/8” expansion gap between the flooring and all walls.
Sound Quality (return to top)
I heard laminate has a fake or hollow sound. Is this true and is there anything I can do to improve the sound quality?
You may be surprised to hear that laminate flooring is not significantly noisier than other hard flooring surfaces.
The thickness of the laminate flooring (10 or 12mm ideally with attached pad) and the choice of underlayment will have the greatest effect in reducing noise from pedestrian foot traffic = walking noise. We recommend purchasing an acoustical underlayment. Please do not use an acoustical underlayment underneath a floor with pre-attached pad.
Stain Flooring (return to top)
We have put Kincaid Birch down in the living room but find the color is too light. Is there any way that we stain it to make it darker?
One of the advantages of Formica laminate flooring is its stain resistance. Therefore we do not recommend using any substances to alter its surface color or shine. Please consider some new pillows or a darker throw for your couch, an area rug or different curtains to change your living room’s appearance.
Static Electricity (return to top)
There is a lot of static in my new floor. What happened?
What should I do?
Static electricity occurs as a natural consequence of electron transfer between contacting surfaces, and is influenced by air humidity, clothing and materials used in upholstery covering.
The electrostatic behavior of laminate flooring or any other wood material can be reduced by taking the following steps:
- Increase the humidity in the room or area with a humidifier and/or indoor plants
- Clean regularly to avoid dust build up
- Damp mop regularly with a laminate floor cleaner (reduces the surface resistance of the flooring)
- Avoid wool clothing
- Open windows occasionally when the living environment is closed with forced air heat
Square Footage (return to top)
I saw your Slate laminate at my local floor store and really liked it. How do I calculate square footage and how much should I buy?
Square footage is length multiplied by width. We recommend to purchase 10 % extra to compensate for cuts and waste and up to 20% extra for tile patterns.
Please keep leftover planks/cartons in case a plank or section of the floor needs to be replaced in future.
Subfloor (return to top)
My sub floor is not level. Can I install Formica over a floor that is not level?
Formica must be installed over a sub floor which is clean smooth and level. Laminate flooring with attached underlayment padding can accept a deviance of 1/8” over 40” but any low spots of 3/16” or greater must be filled in with leveling compound.
Portland based leveling compound is mixed with water then “floated” on the subfloor where the compound will flow to the low spots and level the floor. This leveling compound should dry within a few hours.
Surface Texture (return to top)
What is embossed in register? Which Formica décor is available with this surface texture?
If you look closely at a typical laminate floor, you'll discover that the texture on the surface doesn't match the pattern. The laminate surface has a "generic" smooth or wood grain texture applied to it, regardless of the underlying pattern.
Laminate flooring with registered embossed (=embossed in register) surface is different.
Premium press plates made in a multistage process are used to produce laminate flooring with embossed in register surface. This amazing technology actually matches the texture with the underlying pattern on each individual flooring plank. Regardless of whether you're looking at a wood look or a tile design, the surface of the floor matches the pattern underneath it, creating a startling level of realism.
Thickness (return to top)
I purchased one of your products that are listed as an 8mm (.315”) product but it only measures .300” thick. Is this a manufacturing error?
Thank you for your note regarding the thickness of our 8mm product you purchased. The target thickness of the product is 8mm or .315”.
However, due to changing conditions and consistencies of the raw materials such as HDF and paper the actual thickness may vary within a defined tolerance. The high density fiberboard we use is manufactured to a North American standard with an acceptable thickness variation of +/- 0.5mm or .0197”. Therefore, it would be technically acceptable to have readings as low as .295” or as high as .335” on our finished product.
T-Molding (return to top)
Where should I install the T-strip between the door casings?
Please install the T-Molding where it is directly under the door when the door is fully closed.
Underfloor heating (return to top)
Can Formica be installed over a radiant heat system?
Our laminate flooring may be installed over a hydro/water based system because the temperature changes slowly from cold to warm and reverse. We do not recommend installing our flooring over electric heat systems as they heat up and cool down very fast causing the floor to expand and contract too quickly and may damage it.
Underlayment (return to top)
I purchased your 12mm laminate flooring with attached padding.
Do I need a foam underlayment or vapor barrier when installing the laminate over a) concrete, b) carpet, c) sheet vinyl or d) an existing hard wood floor?
No additional underlayment should be used since the product purchased has a pre-attached pad. Adding additional pad will void the warranty and cause the floor to have too much deflection. This adds stress to the locking system and can cause it to fail over a period of time.
When installing over concrete a 6mil poly vapor barrier is required.
Our product can not be installed over carpet or carpet pad so these items must be removed prior to installation. This is for the same reason adding additional pad is not recommended.
Laminate can be installed over sheet vinyl but will require a 6mil vapor barrier if over a concrete subfloor.
Laminate can be installed over existing hardwood floors installed over a wooden subfloor without a vapor barrier. Hardwood installed over a concrete floor must be removed prior to installing a laminate floor. Since the hardwood is not going to act as a vapor barrier one would have to be installed. If this was done by putting plastic over the hardwood it would trap moisture between the concrete and the hardwood causing it to mold and rot.
Water Spill (return to top)
My husband and I recently purchased your line of laminate flooring and had it installed by a contractor. We had spilled water in an area, cleaned it up pretty good, and by the next day the flooring had warped somewhat. We have approximately eight to ten boards they may all need to be replaced due to this problem. I don't feel a spill of this kind should cause this kind of problem, but it has. The boards are buckled at the seams.
Thank you for purchasing Formica laminate flooring.
Where exactly did this issue take place? Was it on the side or in the middle of the room? Will this area be exposed to water again in future? If so you need to take extra precaution that we reference in our installation instructions to avoid this from happening again in future. We recommend adding glue to all four sides of each plank before installing laminate flooring around your sink, exterior entrance ways or any other areas where water may occasionally be present. All expansion spaces in these areas must be filled with a 100% mildew silicone sealant.
Please see attached plank replacement instructions or contact a professional installer.
Wall coverings (return to top)
Can laminate flooring be installed on walls?
Laminate flooring is currently recommended for flooring applications only.
Weight (return to top)
How much does a square foot or carton of your product weigh?
The weight of our products varies between 22 and 35 lbs per carton. Please ask the customer to specify the product line to give an exact answer.
Wires and cables (return to top)
I have a lot of speaker wires, video coaxial cable, electric plugs… previously concealed by carpeting.
Can I run the cables under the Formica planks?
It is not recommend to run wires or cables underneath your laminate as this may violate your local fire code and cause unevenness in your subfloor which in turn will cause your laminate floor to buckle.
There are wire tracks available that enable you to install low-voltage wiring (for example: speaker wire, stereo cables, telephone wiring, network wiring, alarm wiring) behind standard wall base molding. Some base moldings offer a channel for wiring.