Frequently asked questions about laminate flooring

What are vapour retarders or barriers?

Vapour retarders or barriers are plastic sheetings (mostly polyethylene, also called PE sheeting), which is intended to prevent moisture from penetrating through the underfloor into the laminate flooring. They only have to be laid on mineral underfloors, for example screed, concrete or asphalt, as under certain climatic conditions water vapour can collect in the floor area as condensate and can cause structural damage. The vapour barrier is laid “trough-like”, i.e. a few centimetres up the walls. The sheets are laid next to each other with around 20 centimetre overlap and are fixed with adhesive tape (see laying instructions).

The screed in the home has already been heated for several decades, is it still necessary to lay PE foil as a vapour barrier? The screed won't have any residual moisture left will it?

It is generally necessary to lay a vapour barrier on mineral sub-floors.

Is the vapour barrier already integrated in S.A.S or does an additional vapour barrier have to be laid?

On mineral sub-floors it is generally necessary to lay a vapour barrier, see also www.laminat-installation.com

Is PE foil necessary as a vapour barrier where there is underfloor heating?

It is generally necessary to lay a vapour barrier on mineral sub-floors.

Separating layers, impact sound underlay, impact sound insulation:

What properties must the sub-floor have for laying laminate?

The properties of the sub-floor must enable the laminate flooring to be laid according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Suitable surfaces for laying laminate include, among other things, miner sub-floors (for example, screed, concrete, asphalt), particleboard constructions and wooden plank floors. See also under      www.laminat-installation.com.

What is recommended if the sub-floor is uneven?

Sub-floors with surface differences of more than three millimetres per metre must be sanded down or levelled out, filled/stoppered/smoothed with filler (according to DIN 18202). The evenness of the sub-floor is best determined using a floating rule or a long spirit level.

When can moist sub-floors occur and what has to be done?

In the case of mineral sub-floors such as screed, rising sub-floor moisture must always be expected. The moisture content must be determined using a CM measuring device. It is necessary to use a vapour barrier to prevent the rising moisture from penetrating the laminate flooring. A vapour barrier may not be laid on sub-floors made of wood.

Does the laminate flooring with S.A.S have to be laid directly on the screed or can an additional separating layer have to be laid, without impairing the effect of S.A.S?

PE foil is necessary on mineral sub-floors only, no additional
impact sound underlay is necessary for S.A.S.

To level out minor unevenness in the screed, before laying the laminate I would like
to lay an impact sound sheeting

If the unevenness is up to three millimetres maximum, additional impact sound sheeting does not level out unevenness.

Is that also possible for laminate with S.A.S. Sound Absorb System?

This is technically possible; however, wherever possible SAS laminate flooring should lie directly on the sub-floor to achieve its full effect (please note the need of PE foil on mineral subfloors!)
 
Is further impact sound insulation necessary in addition to S.A.S?

No, S.A.S is fully adequate for impact sound insulation.

Which laying direction do you recommend?

We recommend laying the floor lengthwise to the main light source and transverse to the direction of movement (walking). It is often not possible to adhere to this recommendation as, for example, the door and window are located opposite each other. In such situations you must make a decision based on your own taste. You can also lay laminate diagonally or in different directions if you use appropriate transition profiles. If you lay the floor diagonally you must allow for more cutting wastage, allow for between five and ten percent when you buy the flooring. If the sub-floor is made of planks, you should lay the laminate panels at right-angles to the lengthwise direction of the planks.

Where can I obtain good laying instructions?

Note and following the laminate laying tips given on this website. Another good source on the internet is www.laminat-installation.com

Should I allow for a distance from the wall when laying the flooring?

Laminate flooring elements mainly have a wood-based material panel as their substrate. Wood is a natural material and building material. An important property for the typical floated laying of laminate flooring elements is the so-called "working" of the wood-based materials.
The term "working" summarises the swelling and contraction processes which occur in the wood or wood-based material, which are caused by the natural hygroscopic behaviour of the material, i.e. the absorption and discharge of moisture.

In addition, the dimensional performance of laminate flooring elements, as in all other building materials, is influenced by heat/cold acting from above and/or from below.
It is therefore important that the laminate flooring has room to "work" to avoid subsequent damage. Damage that can occur includes: open joints, swelling up, buckling in the joints area with peeling and flaking decor, rises in the floor ("mounds"). The distance between the laminate and the wall should be 12 to 15 millimetres and is fixed during laying using spacer wedges.

When do expansion joints have to be allowed for in the laying?

Expansion joints must be allowed for when laying laminate floorings if the length or width of the area to be laid exceeds 8 metres as well as if it is planned to lay the flooring continuously in more than one room (as one).

Can laminate flooring be laid in the bathroom?

No, laminate flooring is not suitable for damp rooms such as a bathroom or sauna.

Is a laminate floor with tile look suitable for laying in the kitchen?

If the laying instructions are followed, laminate flooring is also suitable for laying in a kitchen. You should also use Clickguard (for Clickguard information, see www.clickguard.de)

Is a laminate flooring suitable for conservatories?

If the laying instructions are precisely followed, laminate is suitable for conservatories.

Why is carpeting unsuitable as a sub-floor for laminate?

Carpeting is not a suitable sub-floor for laying laminate flooring and must be removed before laying the laminate. The carpet located under the laminate causes a springing movement when the laminate surface is walked on and this causes excessive pressure in the edge area. This destroys the tongue and groove connection and causes an open joint to form. The carpeting must also be removed for reasons of hygiene (formation of mould or mildew, development of odours). The sub-floor must be absolutely level, dry, clean and firm.

Can laminate flooring be laid on carpeting if impact sound insulation is laid on top of the carpeting?

No, the sub-floor must always be dry, level, dry, clean and firm. Before laying the laminate, ensure that the sub-floor does not spring or bounce and cannot be pushed in when a load is applied. Carpeting is generally not a suitable sub-floor for laying laminate flooring and must be removed before laying the laminate.

Is it possible to lay laminate flooring in half the room first, then to place the furniture on it and then lay the second half?

Yes, that is possible: A laminate flooring can be walked on immediately

What should be noted when choosing cleaning agents?

When choosing a laminate cleaner, ensure it does not contain any waxes or oils. Oils and waxes cannot penetrate the closed laminate surface and therefore lie on top of the laminate as a greasy film. This film causes wipe smears during cleaning and footmarks when the floor is walked on.

What is the correct way to clean laminate flooring?

Please note and follow the instructions on cleaning and maintenance of laminate floorings given on this website. Further information is also given under www.laminat-installation.com

How can the laminate flooring be polished?

We recommend you not polishing the floor. Please note and follow the instructions on cleaning and maintenance of laminate floorings given on this website. Further information is also given under www.laminat-installation.com

Are laminate floorings suitable for underfloor heating?

Laminate floorings are suitable for hot water underfloor heating. Please note and following the instructions for laying on hot water underfloor heating. However, laminate floorings are not suitable for electric underfloor heating.

What does the thermal conductivity indicate?

The thermal conductivity gives the quantity of heat in Joules transported per second along a length of one metre at a temperature difference of one degree. The thermal conductivity is required to verify the thermal insulation of building elements. Due to their good thermal conductivity, laminate floorings are ideally suited for laying on hot water underfloor heating systems.

Are laminate floorings suitable for wheelchairs?

Laminate floorings are suitable for wheelchairs. However, we recommend using soft rubberised wheels. This recommendation also applies to office chairs.

Is there a factory outlet for sale of Krono Original floorings directly from the factory?

No, we do not have a factory shop. However, next to the factory in
Lampertswalde (Germany) there is a specialist store for laminate.

What does DPL mean?

DPL stands for "direct pressed laminate". DPL floorings are the most common type of laminate floorings. DPL floorings have the following build-up: Overlay, décor paper, substrate and backing (balancing material). During manufacture these four laminate flooring components are pressed together under pressure and heat to form starter panels (basic panel) and after a cooling phase are forwarded to the profiling process. Here the panels are cut to the required panel size and are profiled.

What does HPL mean?

HPL stands for "high pressure laminate". HPL floorings are made-up of an overlay, decor paper, several soda kraft papers, substrate and backing. These components are pressed together under heat and pressure in two stages. Following a cooling phase the panels are cut and profiled.

What are the service classes for, what do they indicate?

Consumers can use the service classes (utility classes) as an orientation for comparing products and manufacturers can use them to classify their products. The laminates are classified in the service classes (utility classes) according to their resistance, abrasion and impact resistance. The service classes give a recommendation for the area (domestic or commercial) for which a classified laminate is suitable. The classification of laminates is based on DIN EN 13329.

How do I know which laminate flooring is the right one?

First you should check the flooring's area of use. Is the laminate flooring to be laid in the bedroom, in the living room or in the staircase? The flooring in the staircase is of course subjected to different loads or wear than, for example, the flooring in the bedroom. So-called performance classes are defined in the laminate flooring standard EN 13329 to take into account this circumstance. In domestic areas a differentiation is made between three classes: 21 suitable for moderate use (for example bedrooms), 22 suitable for normal use (for example living room), 23 suitable for heavy use (for example staircase). These classes are given on the product packaging with pictograms. Watch out for these pictograms when making your purchase or ask the stockist for their advice.

	Domestic	Commercial
Moderate
Normal
Heavy

Does laminate emit formaldehyde? Is it harmful to the environment or unhealthy?

Emission checks and environmental symbols of Kronoflooring laminate flooring
Due to frequent discussions held on contaminant content in recent years, in particular formaldehyde in the case of laminate floorings and similar laminated wood-based materials, e.g. plywood, manufacturers are obliged to have their products monitored by third parties, e.g. by external test institutes, with respect to the requirements of the dangerous substance regulations (GefStoffV.)

E 1 Classification

E (1) is the symbol used for emission classes. The emission classes designate the wood-based materials according to the amount of formaldehyde they emit. A differentiation is made between classes E1, E2 and E3; whereby class E1 emits the smallest amount of contaminant. The test room is decisive for the classification. Here a test piece is "washed around" with air at a constant temperature for a specific time. The amount of formaldehyde emitted is collected in distilled water and is measured. The formaldehyde content in the air is measured in ppm (parts per million). In these tests the formaldehyde content of the panels may not exceed a value of 0.1 ppm to be able to be classified in emissions class E 1. Standard laminates have such a low percentage of contaminants that they are deemed to be "practically contaminant free". The emission classes are based on the guideline value recommended by the Federal Health Agency. Kronoflooring laminates correspond to emissions class E1 and are certified by the "Institut für Holztechnologie Dresden" (ihd)!

Friendly to allergy sufferers and hygienic

Laminate floorings are easy to clean. Dirt and dust are wiped away in no time. (Please note and follow the information in the laying instructions!)

Even house-dust mites and deeper dirt has no chance. No wonder that Kronoflooring laminate floorings are so popular, especially among allergy sufferers and sensitive people.
Natural floors - our laminate floorings are 90 % made of wood. This means they do not give off any emissions harmful to health, do not contain chloride or PVC and do not contain any wood preservatives.

How to dispose of laminate? Can laminate be recycled or burned?

Disposal of laminate is absolutely unproblematic. Left over laying materials and other parts or old floorings can be disposed of in the normal domestic waste. Complete, discarded floors on the other hand should be taken directly to the landfill site or local tip. As laminate floorings consist of 80 percent wood they can safely be burned or incinerated just like other wood products. Thanks to new technical processes, laminate floorings are even recyclable. 85 percent of the mass of laminate flooring can be added back into the manufacturing process in the form of wood chips or fibres.