Laminate Flooring Commercial Buyers Guide

This guide is intended to help Architects, Specifiers and General Users understand what they should know about Laminate flooring utilized in Commercial, Light Commercial and Residential areas of use.

Benefits of Laminate Flooring:

• Easy to clean and maintain
• Floating floor installation system permits quick and easy installation
• Excellent resistance to indentation
• Outstanding stain resistance
• More tolerant of various sub-floor types and surface irregularities

Places where Laminate Flooring is typically utilized:

Residential Kitchen Bedroom Dining Recreation rooms Foyers Bathrooms

Light Commercial Small restaurant Small retail shop Waiting rooms Trade booths

Commercial School Classrooms Large office Large Restaurant Large Retail Nurses Stations Assisted Living

Places Laminate Flooring should not be used:

• Laminate is not recommended for outdoor applications
• Laminate is typically not recommended for extremely heavy traffic corridors applications,i.e. shopping malls or airport corridors
• Laminate is typically not recommended for public restrooms
• Laminate is typically not recommended for applications like labor and delivery rooms

Planning
The earlier in the planning or project bidding phase the various suppliers and trades can reach agreement on key issues prior to installation, many problems and potential causes of dissatisfaction can be avoided.

Each room should be measured exactly prior to installation to insure adequate material.

It is common practice that a minimum 2-3 % additional flooring material or "Attic Stock" be included to cover future repair and/or building plan adjustments.

Doors that may not have sufficient clearance will require trimming. Determine who will be responsible prior to the installation.

Prior to installation, there should be an agreement as to who will move items such as furniture, appliances, etc.

Appliances requiring utility disconnect (water, gas, etc.) may be subject to applicable local code requirements. Disconnect/reconnect arrangements are to be determined in advance by the end user or general contractor.

Verify in advance as to who will remove recycle and/or dispose of the existing flooring, if applicable, as well as the remnant scraps.

Care should be taken not to anchor fixtures, furniture, alarm sensors, etc. directly through the laminate to the sub-floor without allowing for proper expansion space around any hole cut through the laminate floor.

Perimeter moldings must not be glued or nailed into the floor. The end user should be provided a copy of the appropriate maintenance and warranty pertaining to the product selected.

Prior to Installing Laminate flooring
A permanent HVAC system must be operational before installing Laminate flooring.

Laminate Flooring should be installed only after other trades have finished.

Laminate Flooring and related sundries must be allowed to acclimate to recommended temperature and humidity conditions, prior to installation.

Check specific manufacturer's requirements.

Maintenance of Laminate Flooring
In general, Laminate flooring producers recommend cleaning only, as opposed to the use of finishes and polishes when caring for an installed laminate floor. There are specific dos and don'ts

• Don't flood the floor
• Don't use aggressive scrubbing machines to clean the surface
• Make sure to utilize walk-off mats at entranceways, etc.
• Refer to specific manufacturer's literature regarding how to properly care for your laminate floor.