First introduced to the European market in the early 1980s , laminate flooring filled a gap in the market for those who couldn ’ t afford the higher price tag of solid wood flooring . However , it quickly became associated with low quality , difficult installation methods and poor aesthetics . Here , John Carney , Managing Director at Cheshire Mouldings , explores how new technologies are making laminate a new flooring favourite once more .

When Swedish company Perstorp developed laminate flooring over 30 years ago , it quickly flooded the European market due to its attractive price point . As the very nature of lamination is to create a single material that is collectively stronger through the combination of various materials , the different layers promised outstanding durability and resilience that was affordable for all .

Laminate flooring quickly became costlier and time consuming than initially thought , as the challenging installation method often required significant carpentry skills . Combined with the low-quality finish of the photographic image on the top layer of the flooring , laminate became synonymous with a type of flooring that both professionals and their customers were keen to avoid , leading to some manufacturers removing the product from their range altogether .

Fast forward to today and laminate has undergone something of a revolution , with suppliers adopting improved manufacturing processes and innovative photographic technologies to create denser , more durable

and better-looking planks that are a far cry from the unrealistic laminate flooring options of the past .

Perhaps the most significant technological advance made by manufacturers is the development of click and install systems , which have made laminate one of the easiest products to lay , as the previous requirement for nails or adhesives has been eliminated . New installation methods , such as 2G and 5G click systems , allow professionals to create a ‘ floating floor ’ that doesn ’ t require any form of physical fixing . This makes the product more attractive for installers and their clients , as not only can laminate flooring be fitted significantly more quickly and easily , the flooring can also be walked on immediately after installation .

The nature of laminate flooring also offers professionals the potential opportunity to

secure add-on sales . A 10mm expansion gap should be left around the perimeter of the room to allow the planks to expand and contract through the seasons . An easy way to conceal this gap is through the installation of new skirting , which , if purchased in a complementary finish from the same manufacturer as the flooring , can create a coordinated finished look and means the products can be ordered , collected and installed in one go .

Therefore , Cheshire Mouldings has developed it ’ s one-stop-shop approach , offering installers an extended product offering including flooring , skirting , architraves and mouldings all available in complementary finishes and styles .

Laminate was previously considered to have a typically short life span , due to the thin image layers and boards that struggled to cope with general wear . However , today ’ s laminate flooring features a new fibreboard construction that provides greatly improved resilience , with the bonus of being suitable for use in conjunction with underfloor heating systems . Demand for underfloor heating continues to increase year-on-year according to latest research by the AMA , making compatibility more crucial .

The high density fibreboard used in Cheshire Mouldings ’ laminate flooring is offers a plank thickness of up to 12mm , making it possible for laminate to now carry an impressive warranty of up to 25 years , dependent on the range , for additional peace of mind .

On top of improvements to durability and long-term performance , laminate suppliers

have also taken on board the need for better aesthetics , which remains one of the key considerations for end-users when selecting new flooring .

The development and use of modern photographic and printing technologies has led to laminate finishes that are now remarkably similar to real wood . The ability to apply synchronous pore printing to the material also enables real wood style grooves and grains to be printed into the boards , whilst synchronised wood grains also offer a higher level of realism . Plus , longer plank dimensions offer a more authentic appearance and help to avoid the unsightly pattern repeats that laminate was once synonymous with .

The timber effect and colourway is an important decision for customers , and new technologies have also enabled installers to offer a wider range of styles . With oak-effect finishes and grey tones continuing to go from strength to strength , manufacturers are now offering a range of shades , from dark charcoal right through to natural oak .

With laminate flooring currently , the largest product category within the wood floorcoverings market according to recent AMA research , installers have the ideal opportunity to capitalise on its resurgence . Now easier to install , longer lasting and more aesthetically appealing , laminate is a strong flooring option that , when sourced from a one-stop supplier offering complementary timber products , results in a quality flooring installation .

www . cheshiremouldings . co . uk

The Guide to Best Practice in the Specification and Use of Fire-Resistant Glazed Systems covers how Fire-Resistant Glazing systems are used to control the spread of fire and smoke , which

allows enough time for a safe escape , as well as safe access for fire safety services .

The Best Practice Guide is closely associated with Approved Document B for Fire Safety which , following the tragic incident

at Grenfell Tower in 2017 , is currently the focus of the glazing sector . Fire safety has been brought to the fore in the national agenda , and the FRGG remains committed to providing the best industry guidance to protect

people from fire and the effects of fire .

Download a free PDF version of the guide here : https :// www . ggf . org . uk / publications / fireresistant-glazing