" Laminate flooring still remains the most cost-effective way to give your home the wooden look ."
FEATURES - INNOVATION AND ALTERNATIVE TECH
Traviata ’ s Ontario Oak laminate flooring . Image : Traviata
SAWFLA agrees . “ That ’ s easy : the price , and the fact that you have so many colours to choose from . fact that you have so many colours to choose from . Laminate flooring today has come such a long way that it is now quite difficult to see the difference between the two . Not to mention that installation for laminate flooring is much easier and quicker .”
INNOVATION NATION
Laminate flooring is a sub-sector where innovations abound . As technology marches forward , so to do manufacturers ’ abilities to produce a cost-effective , aesthetically-appealing product .
Bothma explains , “ As technology advances , the ability to transform laminate flooring increases . With better décor paper , there is less panel repetition , which gives the flooring a more natural look . The ability to imprint the surface with in-register emboss ( IRE ) gives the floor the texture of a natural wood floor . However one of the biggest innovations comes from a part of the board the customer will never see : the locking system . This makes the installation of the product
" Laminate flooring still remains the most cost-effective way to give your home the wooden look ."
much easier , but also easier to remove . If you wanted to move the floor to another location in your home or to a new site , this can be done with little hassle .”
According to SAWLFA , the introduction of high water-resistant laminate flooring , the use of wax impregnated joints , and the use of higher core density , which all reduce the influence of moisture / water damage to the laminate flooring , work at improving the swell resistance of laminate flooring .
“ There are also great strides being made on the press plates . These create the final look and feel of laminate flooring surface finishes from mat-textured wood grain , emboss in registered and deep emboss , where it is sometimes very difficult to tell the difference between a laminate or solid wood floor , in look and feel .”
50 FEB / MARCH 2017 //