| 1. What is a Laminate Floor?
Explained simply, this means the floor is not fixed to the subfloor but instead is floated on a bed of underlay leaving an expansion gap around the walls for natural movement in the laminate, the gap being covered with f finishing bead or skirting board.
A laminate floor is generally a timber look. This consists of a hard durable photographic surface bonded to a fibre board core.
The product is designed for D.I.Y. or professional installation and is the most economical of the available timber look floors.
Laminate is available in a wide range of styles, colours and quality.
2. What should I look for when choosing a Laminate floor?
Unfortunately it can become quite a tiresome task choosing a laminate floor with so many different styles, colours and quality available.
Eclipse recommends you get the right advice, which means buying your hard floor coverings from a specialist in the product. Unfortunately the product has become available through outlets which are not fully qualified to give you the service you deserve.
A laminate floor should have a high density core board.
We recommend click lock systems.
The core board should be chemically treated to resist moisture.
It should have a minimum hardness rating of at least 31.
3. Why should I buy Laminate?
Laminate floors are rapidly becoming the floor of choice for the 21 st Century with the benefits of unlimited colour and style choice. Environmentally friendly, cost effective, easy installation, easily maintained, long lasting and non allergenic.
4. Is it noisy?
It is no secret that laminate floors have a reputation of being noisy underfoot. That is why Eclipse developed Firmalay Underlay, which is a high-density rubber underlay (unlike conventional polystyrene foam which can be highly flammable and have limited noise reduction). Firmalay reduces foot noise by up to 60% and noise transfer by up to 20 decibels, this is an added advantage for multistorey dwellings.
5. How do I maintain it?
Laminate floor is resistant to daily wear and tear. However steps can be taken to maintain the natural warmth and beauty of your floor.
Eclipse recommends door mats wherever possible.
Felt pads or furniture protectors, which we can supply.
General maintenance should be by form of static mopping, using a dry dust stick or damp mopped being careful not to over wet.
Eucalyptus oil can be added to warm water to help remove scuffs or sticky marks.
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