Timber

Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a multi-layered synthetic material that is merged togeth-
er through the process of lamination to resemble natural wood. It is a com-
pressed fibreboard plank, covered with a photographic image of wood with a
protective overlay.

Brief Manufacturing Process

1. Top layer : It is called wear layer or overlay, which protects the floor
from scratches and stains.
2. Second layer: It is called a design layer which is a photographic image Fig. 94 Laminate flooring
of wood
3. Third layer: It is the core layer, which is a medium-density or high-den- Top layer
sity fibreboard.
4. Forth layer: It is called the backing layer is provided for resisting mois- Second layer

ture and balancing the floor.

Third layer

Properties
Forth layer

Moisture Resistant: The backing layer provides good resistance to moisture,

thus laminate flooring can be used in kitchen and basements.
Eco Friendly Fig. 95 Layers in Flooring
Noise Reduction
Imitation rare wood species – decorative ability of the material: high-gloss,
textured and varied in color and texture coating to satisfy even the most
demanding owner.
Dimensional Stability: As it does not uses real wood, laminate flooring is not
susceptible to atmospheric changes, making it dimensionally stable.
Resistance to fire
Versatility

Available Sizes
Fig. 96 Laminate flooring
Sizes: 3’ x 9’’ (mostly used size), 4’ x 1’’ Thickness: 8, 12 mm (8 mm mostly
used).
Allows flexibility in undulations of the floor
Easy to install and interlock.
These small sizes allow adjustment in case of any disturbance. if it will be in
larger size then it might break due to unevenness of the floor.

Applications

Laminate wood flooring can be installed in any room such as living room,
bedroom, and dining room at any grade. If a proper finish is applied, it can be
effectively installed in kitchen areas and in basements. Fig. 97 Laminate flooring
They are much more durable than other methods of natural
flooring, and this makes them an excellent choice to get the aesthetics
of natural materials. Thats why it is mostly used and in bedroom.

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 They’re built to last, and will not lose their luster or shape easily.
Laminate swells in the presence of moisture, so it is not advisable to install it
in wet areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Laminate flooring is not intended for outdoor use.

Installation

1. Leveling of floor :First step before the installation process start is the Fig. 98 Floor planks
evenness of the floor. It is also done to avoid further damage to the plank.
All the nails or dirt is removed before to avoid any further damage to the
planks.

2. Laying of form or rubber sheet :Some base is laid on the floor

generally like pcc floor to make it even for laying planks. also it provides a
base for the intsallation and also protect it from moisture .
( lower grade cheap tiles, waste tiles, cheap stones, foam sheets)

3. Laying of Laminate floor plank :Laminate floor planks is then inter-

locked on thh floor.It is the most easy installation.
3.1 Tongue and groove locking systems are the most popular. This system Fig. 99 Interlocking planks
uses interlocking elements to piece together. This keeps them firmly in place
so that they remain secure once installed.

4. Installation precautions:
4.1 Floor must be completely dry, free of moisture.
4.2 Anti termites should be applied.

Laminate wood flooring swells less as compared to solid wood flooring, so

expansion joints of about 10 mm has to be provided for every 12 m in length.

Fig. 100 Pressed and dried ve-

neer leaf

Fig. 101 Removing of nails,mak- Fig. 102 Laying of 4mm foam Fig. 103 Interlocking of planks,
ing the floor even for underlay- sheet on levelled floor. while laying it on floor.
ment.

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 Fig. 104 Hammering to level the Fig. 105 Fixing the planks in the Fig. 106 Laminate flooring
planks after interlocking. edges, by making spaces under
the walls.

Fig. 107 Quater round trim, used Fig. 108 Skirting Fig. 109 Hammer and nail being
for skirting after installation of used to fix it.
planks.

Fig. 110 Nail gun can also be Fig. 111 Flooring Fig. 112 Transition area
used . -Tea mode transition

Samiksha J. (18bar009), Neha A. (18bar022), Anushka G. (18bar043), Radhika A. (19bar207) 26

Fig. 113 Intsalling metal Fig. 114 Installing the met- Fig. 115 Hammering the
track it gives a bit of shim. al track. transition piece into the
metal track.

Rates

1. Rates varies with thickness and base of the plank.

1.2 60-120/- per sq. ft.
1.3 60 - 80/- per sq. ft. (6 mm)
1.4 80 -100/- per sq. ft. (8mm)
1.5 100 - 120/- per sq. ft. (12 mm)

Rates also varies with the base of the plank.

For Example:
HDMR base plank are more expensive than MDF base.
It also varies on the basis of texture and design of the lamination.

Fig. 116 Flooring

Advantages/ Disadvantages of using the finish

1. ADVANTAGES

1.1 Insulation, Aesthetic

1.2 Laminate floors don’t collect dust like carpets, making them not only
hygienic but a really great alternative to anyone who suffers from allergies.
1.3 The laminate floors are exceptionally stain resistant.
1.4 Laminate floors, with a special underlayment, reduce the noise of foot-
falls.
1.5 Laminate floors are available in various designs and are very easy to fix
on any type of floor or existing subfloor
1.6 Laminate wood flooring is easy to clean. Fig. 117 Cleaning of floor

Timber 27
 2. DISADVANTAGES

2.1 Possibility of cockroaches and insects as it can catch moisture from the
floor.
2.2 Must be prevented from fire, scratches, as it is delicate.
2.3 Swells on excessive water absorption .
2.4 Durability upto 8 to 10 years,after that it starts deteriorating and lami-
nate start scratching out.

Fig. 118 Asthetics

Governing factors behind the selection of a particular finish

To match aesthetics of interior.

Laminate is considerably more cost-effective than buying hardwood, and yet
its authentic, inspired-by-nature look makes it nearly indistinguishable from
the real thing.

Quality Aspects

By immersing in water to check water retention, interlock gaping must be

even.

Maintenance Aspects

Water should not get collected at any point , if it will get collect the floor will Fig. 119 Flooirng
soak it and it will get swell.

Recognition of the material after application

It has variations in colours and textures as it has a photographical image.

Scratch resistance.
There will be some planks which will look exactly the same.
It doesnot fade as hardwood.

Details/ joineries / juntions

Tongue and groove locking systems are the most popular. This system uses Fig. 120 Flooring
interlocking elements to piece together. This keeps them firmly in place so
that they remain secure once installed.
Mechanical systems are also used. These incorporate aluminum, mechanical
locking systems from underneath the planks to keep the pieces together.

Samiksha J. (18bar009), Neha A. (18bar022), Anushka G. (18bar043), Radhika A. (19bar207) 28

Fig. 121 Joinery Fig. 122 Plank Edge Fig. 123 Plank Edge

Fig. 124 Plank Edge Fig. 125 Defects Fig. 126 Defects

Other specification or details if any

It is advisable to order 5 to 10% extra laminate planks for future repairs and
cutting waste.
Wax polish is done sometimes for waterproofing and texture.
High glossy finish laminate flooring requires no waxing, polishing, or refinish-
ing.
An expansion gap is essential when it comes to laminate flooring installation.
The recommended expansion gap is a minimum of ¼ inch, as the floor needs
more space to expand and contract with temperature. Fig. 127 Asthetics

Usage of material from past till date

Laminate flooring was invented in 1977

Glueless laminate flooring was invented in 1996 holding flooring panels
together was also developed in parallel.

Fig. 128 Flooring

Timber 29
Case Study: Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh

1. Installation

1.1First Cement Floor levelling is done. If the floor is uneven, 1

1.2 Planks will start cracking.
1.3 Secondly a 4mm Foam sheet or Rubber sheet is laid above
the levelled floor.
1.4 After that , Planks are laid above the Foam sheet and inter-
locked.
1.5 For edges, the planks here are diagonally nailed. To prevent Fig. 129 Laminate FLooring
shifting of the planks.

Fig. 130 Deterioration: Fig. 131 Remedy: Fig. 132 Floor

Shifting of the plank, because of Due to the shifting of the planks
the force due to dancing. from the corner, Grouting is
been done in the gaps.
This was not a good practise to
do, in case of any crack.

Laminate flooring in Indonesia

IAPNU
Fig. 133 Floor Fig. 134 Floor Fig. 135 Floor

Samiksha J. (18bar009), Neha A. (18bar022), Anushka G. (18bar043), Radhika A. (19bar207) 30

Laminate flooring in Surat

Fig. 134 Floor Fig. 135 Floor Fig. 136 Floor

Fig. 137 Side Panelling. Fig. 138 Defect: Fig. 139 Wooden to marble joint
Upper layer is removed.

Laminate flooring in Surat

Fig. 140 Floor Fig. 141 Floor

Samiksha J. (18bar009), Neha A. (18bar022), Anushka G. (18bar043), Radhika A. (19bar207) 31