Laminate Flooring Glossary
A
AC Rating/Abrasion figure/Abrasion classification
The abrasion rating/figure/classification defines the abrasion of laminated flooring. Taber-test produces these figures, which are attached to abrasion classifications according to the new Euro-standard EN 13329. This is an important part of the performance classification of a laminate floor since resistance to abrasion is one of many factors to determine the quality of laminate flooring.
B
Balancing foil
The layer under the substrate which is protecting from moisture and also contributing to form stability.
Bleaching resistance
Describes the reaction of a laminate floor when exposed to light. “No. 6 on the blue scale” means that when exposed to extensive sunlight, a floor will keep its true coloration.
Build-up of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring has a three-layered build up: 1. decor paper + overlay, 2. substrate, 3. balancing foil. Those three layers are are pressed onto the substrate using high pressure. They are also impregnated with special thermosetting resins.
C
Castor chair effect
Tested by dragging loaded, castor chair effect is a special feature of floorings, soft chair rollers over the surface. Measuring any damages after a set time of several thousand movements is their purpose.
Cleaning and maintenance
There are problem-free cleaning regarding this pore-free closed surface of laminate flooring. You simply need to vacuum, sweep or wipe.
Cigarettes burns resistance
There will be no visible damages towards cigarette burns, insuring the high temperature resistance of the totally cured resin-impregnated, pore-free surface.
D
Disposal
A normal household garbage can be used to dispose of together all laying leftovers of laminate flooring. Complete decommissioned floors should be brought directly to a waste disposal site.
Decor/Decor layer
This is the given name for the visual appearance of the surface. The motif is formed via photo-technical reproduction and printed via rotary printing on so called decor-paper. The spectrum of decors encompasses through the photo-realistic wood-grain re-productions, rock formations, to ceramic and fantasy decors. Once the finished and impregnated decor paper is pressed onto the substrate together with the overlay. Decor-paper plus overlay are called decor layer.
DPL
DPL is an abbreviation for Direct Pressure Laminate, which represents a processes in which decor layer and balancing foil are directly pressed onto the substrate.
E
Edge gaps
Edge gaps are distances to the wall. Those are observed while laying laminate flooring. When climatic changes occur, the so-called elasticity joint ensures that the floor can contract or extract. A minimum of 8 mm should be the distance to the wall. This should also be observed when heating pipes, door frames, or pillars etc. are involved.
Emission classification
A very often used term in product information. For example, E1 means that the formaldehyde emission limit decreed by law of 0.1 ppm (= 0.12 mg/m3 air).
Environmentally friendliness
Timber is 80% of what laminate flooring is made of. It contains formaldehyde but the emissions are minor and well under the legally allowed limit of 0.1 ppm (= 1.2 mg/m3 air). This is called E1-limit. Laminate flooring can be used without any problems even in children’s rooms.
Euro-standard
All criteria of high quality laminate flooring are listed in the European standard of laminate flooring. A very important part is the performance classifications, enabling the consumer to assess a quality product and to define his or her own requirements.
F
Floor heating
According to the manufacturers’ information, laminate flooring can be used on subfloors containing hot water underfloor heating. The efficiency of the heating is enhanced by the relatively small forward resistance.
H
HDF
Abbreviation for High Density Fiberboard. Because of its high material density, it is often used as substrate for laminate flooring, giving it a high durability.
HPL
Abbreviation for High Pressure Laminate. This is a processes in which decor paper and overlay are pressed together with especially strong papers. This high-pressure layer sheet will be pressed onto the substrate in the second step. These additional kraft papers make the laminate flooring very durable.
I
Impact resistance
When tested the impact resistance, an iron ball is dropped onto the surface to test the durability of the floor.
Impact Sound/Foot Step Sound
This is the sound that is generated by stepping on to the laminate flooring. The impact sound is different from footstep sound (created in space underneath a laminate flooring). The strength of the impact sound is measured in sound values and it is indicated according to the EPLF® Standard. These sounds are comparable with each other and can be represented on an objective scale of values which are absolute and linear.
Inflammability classification
The manufacturer has to produce these classifications of the inflammability of a laminate flooring. DIN 4102-B1 classification published in product information, means, “low inflammable”.
Installation
Laminate flooring is mostly laid in a “floating” manner. It is not like a wall-to-wall carpet glued onto the sub-floor. Single panels are integrated with the help of tongue and groove profiles.
L
Laminate
Short for laminate flooring (look at “build-up”).
M
MDF
Abbreviation for Medium Density Fiberboard. Term used for laminate flooring which is lighter than the High Density Fiber-board (HDF).
O
Overlay
An overlay is the top layer of a laminate flooring which is containing corundum-particles. This layer gives a high degree of durability to the floor and protects the underlying decor.
P
Performance classification
According to the new Euro-standard EN 13329, a performance classification is considered a quality category. This defines the area of usage of a laminate flooring. It is divided into “domestic” and “commercial” categories which are declared using special symbols on the package of the products. Classification depends on the following criteria: abrasion resistance, impact resistance, resistance to staining, resistance to cigarette burns, effect of a furniture leg, effect of a castor chair, and thickness swelling.
Pressure resistance
A quality criteria for some manufacturers is the information on how a laminate flooring will behave when furniture, high heels etc. are applied to it.
R
Repairs
Strongly damaged laminate flooring elements can be exchanged by experts in such a way that there will be no visible differences to the rest of the flooring.
Resistance to staining
Resistance to staining represents how laminate flooring will react when substances of the daily life like food or beverages are applied. Laminate floorings’ pore-free surfaces can be wiped clean at any time.
S
Scratch resistance
We have to agree on the fact that this is a very important quality criterion, derived from scratching the flooring with a diamond tipped instrument. This process allows an insight how the laminate flooring will behave, when scratched.
Skirting board
Skirting boards are the finish of laminate flooring towards the wall. The trade offers a great variety of products fitting to the decors of the flooring.
Substrate
The substrate is the middle layer of a laminate flooring made from HDF, MDF or particleboard. Decor layer together with the overlay and balancing foil are pressed on this substrate.
T
Taber-test
The Taber-test is a classical test method to check the abrasion resistance of laminate flooring while rotating a test piece underneath two wheels covered with abrasive paper. Revolutions, type and changing of the abrasive paper are clearly regulated is needed. The number of revolutions until a certain point, the initial point (IP), results in the abrasion figure.
Thickness swelling
Since its wooden ingredients can swell under strong influence of water and moisture, laminate flooring should not be applied in any wet rooms, saunas, or outdoor facilities.
Tongue and Groove
The connection of tongue and groove is responsible for stable floor construction and also protects the floor from moisture.
W
Walking-noise insulation
Walking noises are reduced especially on ‘floating’ laminate flooring by underlay like polyethylene foam, PU-foam, corrugated boards, or foam felt.