Laminate Flooring

Everething to know about Laminate Flooring

At Clarke’s of Bailieborough, we offer an extensive collection of quality and affordable laminate flooring. As stockists of superior laminate flooring brands Floorpan, Kronopol and Kronotex flooring, our selection of laminate flooring offers a broad variety of wood effects, in 8mm, 10mm and 12mm laminate flooring thicknesses and in a diverse selection of finishes which deliver an impressive likeness to genuine wood.

Whether you’re seeking a contemporary style or a more classic choice, with our collection of laminate flooring you’re sure to discover the floor that matches your style. Searching for the snug Scandi style of silver-grey timber or the rustic embrace of textured oak? Our impressive range of wood flooring has the perfect laminate floor for your home.

Providing the very best in laminate flooring is important to us and we place great emphasis on sourcing quality flooring products designed to deliver when it comes to durability, realism and affordability. That’s why we stock such an extensive selection of Kronotex flooring. Kronotex floors are precision engineered in Germany and come in a huge variety of designs. Grouped in collections, Kronotex offers a huge selection of floors – browse Kronotex Dynamic, Kronotex Excel and Kronotex Herringbone collections to discover your perfect floor. Each Kronotex collection has impressive features, be that the extra-wide planks of the Kronotex Exquisit collection, the 12mm thickness of the Kronotex Mammut collection, the extra-wide and extra-long planks of the Kronotex Mammut Plus collection or the highly durable AC5 rating of the Kronotex Robusto collection. While these notable technical attributes ensure you receive high performance and longevity from your laminate floor, the extensive palette of authentic designs, patterns and hues available to choose from means you also get a realistic floor that matches your personal style and delivers the designer décor you desire.

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate is a synthetic floor covering designed to look like real wood flooring. Laminate flooring is made using numerous layers of materials compressed together, which are ultimately fused using a transparent protective layer. Just beneath the clear protective coating is a decorative image of a wood design. Laminate flooring is a great alternative to a real wooden floor and the advances in creating hyper-realistic wood effects means that it can be very difficult to tell the difference between a good laminate floor and a real wood floor.

Laminate floor versus real wood floor

The main benefit of choosing laminate floor over a real wood floor is the cost, laminate flooring is significantly cheaper than a solid wood or an engineered wood floor. With laminate, you get the aesthetic of real wood without the hefty price tag. And with so many wood styles, colours, patterns and effects to choose you’re sure to find a laminate floor that perfectly suits your space. The composition of laminate flooring and in particular its resin-based top layer means it is generally more resistant to scratches and UV rays than a real wood floor, meaning less fading, dents and scratches. And because laminate boards don’t swell and contract like their real wood counterparts, you don’t have to deal with unsightly cracks or gaps either.

What is an AC Rating?

Laminate flooring is given an AC Rating. This measures the material’s ability to resist wear and tear, stains, scratches, burns and fading. The ratings range from 1 to 5. Level 1 is recommended only for low traffic areas whereas an AC5 rated laminate is so durable it can be installed in a commercial setting. AC3 and AC4 rated laminates are ideal for residential use. When properly taken care of, laminate floors can last for 15 to 20 years, meaning they can out-last carpet and vinyl flooring in both commercial and domestic settings.

Thickness of laminate floor

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses. In general, the thicker the laminate the more durable, noise-proof and more resistant to impact it will be.

We supply 8mm, 10mm and 12mm laminate flooring. It’s important to take the time to consider which thickness of floor will suit your needs best. 8mm laminate floor can be a great budget friendly option however it does require an even subfloor, laying an 8mm laminate floor on an uneven surface can result in splitting over time. It is also important to note that 8mm laminate flooring can be noisy, however it does offer comfort underfoot.

10mm laminate flooring is a popular choice. More durable than 8mm and much more forgiving to install, 10mm flooring is better at absorbing noise than 8mm flooring and so is suitable for use upstairs.

12mm laminate flooring provides the best impact resistance, it has stability and strength and feels most like a genuine wood floor. 12mm flooring is also the easiest to install, is most forgiving when it comes to hiding subfloor imperfections and offers the best noise reduction. A 12mm thick laminate floor with a rating of AC4 or AC5 is recommended for high traffic areas in a domestic setting.

Is laminate flooring easy to install?

Laminate flooring is one of the easiest types of flooring to install yourself - it uses a click-lock mechanism which makes the entire laminate installation process DIY friendly.

Do I need underlay for my laminate floor?

To get the best performance and long-lasting durability from your laminate floor, underlay is essential. Underlay provides comfort, insulation and noise reduction. By evening out any imperfections in the subfloor, underlay helps to ensure the laminate is level and stable. This reduces pressure on the floor’s locking joints and also provides support, reducing damage over the lifespan of the floor.

Is laminate floor good for allergies?

Laminate floors are considered a better choice than carpet for those who have allergies to dust mites, mold and mildew. Laminate floors are easy to clean, making them a hygienic choice especially for those with allergies.

Is laminate flooring good for pets?

Laminate is a great choice for a home shared with pets because of its easy-to-clean, water-resistant qualities – accidents and muddy paw marks are easily mopped up and quality laminate floors will withstand most scratches caused by cats and dogs. It can be a good idea to choose a laminate flooring with a textured finish to give our four-pawed friends some grip.

Is laminate flooring suitable for wheelchairs and mobility aids?

Laminate flooring is an excellent choice for wheelchair users and those using mobility aids, providing ease-of-movement and smooth boundaries between rooms.