FINfloor Resistance
How Much Does a Laminate Floor Resist?
How Much Does a Laminate Floor Resist?
Marcos Escudeiro, director of FINSA's flooring business, reveals the secrets of the great resistance of laminate flooring.
Marcos Escudeiro, director of FINSA's flooring business, reveals the secrets of the great resistance of laminate flooring.
The composition of laminate flooring makes them one of the most resistant surfaces in the market. Resistance to wear, falling objects, shoes with heels, discoloration, ... and some have even been improved to such an extent that they can be used in kitchens or domestic bathrooms. That's why FINfloor laminate floors have a guarantee of 20 years in domestic uses and 10 years in commercial uses. Marcos Escudeiro, director of FINSA's flooring business, reveals the secrets of FINfloor's resistance.
The composition of laminate flooring makes them one of the most resistant surfaces in the market. Resistance to wear, falling objects, shoes with heels, discoloration, ... and some have even been improved to such an extent that they can be used in kitchens or domestic bathrooms. That's why FINfloor laminate floors have a guarantee of 20 years in domestic uses and 10 years in commercial uses. Marcos Escudeiro, director of FINSA's flooring business, reveals the secrets of FINfloor's resistance.
"Regarding the resistance, you always have to take into account where the floor is going to be installed; Specifically, the type of space (domestic or commercial) and intensity of use (type of dwelling, and type of stay). Obviously the same resistance will not be demanded to the floor as it is going to be installed in a restaurant, that in the one-floor bedroom or the entrance of a detached house. The laminate flooring standard -the EN13329- establishes a classification of these according to precisely these two characteristics: domestic (class 2X) and commercial (class 30 3X), and within each of them distinguishing between moderate uses (21 , 31), medium (22,32) or intense (23, 33). All FINfloor floors have the 33 classification, which supports the most intense use in both domestic and commercial spaces.
"Regarding the resistance, you always have to take into account where the floor is going to be installed; Specifically, the type of space (domestic or commercial) and intensity of use (type of dwelling, and type of stay). Obviously the same resistance will not be demanded to the floor as it is going to be installed in a restaurant, that in the one-floor bedroom or the entrance of a detached house. The laminate flooring standard -the EN13329- establishes a classification of these according to precisely these two characteristics: domestic (class 2X) and commercial (class 30 3X), and within each of them distinguishing between moderate uses (21 , 31), medium (22,32) or intense (23, 33). All FINfloor floors have the 33 classification, which supports the most intense use in both domestic and commercial spaces.
To determine what class it belongs to, that is, where we can install it and how much it will resist, laminate flooring is subjected to a series of tests both in our own laboratories and external. I like to differentiate between 3 types of tests: those that measure surface resistance, those that test resistance to humidity and those that test joints. The laminate or "synthetic flooring", as many people call it, is a very durable floor because it is very resistant to all these tests.
To determine what class it belongs to, that is, where we can install it and how much it will resist, laminate flooring is subjected to a series of tests both in our own laboratories and external. I like to differentiate between 3 types of tests: those that measure surface resistance, those that test resistance to humidity and those that test joints. The laminate or "synthetic flooring", as many people call it, is a very durable floor because it is very resistant to all these tests.
To check the surface resistance, a battery of tests reproducing real situations linked to the daily use of the floor are carried out, such as: ease of cleaning (it is tested by staining with graphite on the floor and cleaning it), resistance to cleaning products (no bleach, always pH neutral!), resistance to falling heavy objects or high-heeled shoe treads (that do not break or delaminate), resistance to discoloration over time (through an accelerated aging test ), resistance to scratching, resistance to wear (made with standardized sandpaper). From the latter, the famous "AC" abrasion resistance index (AC3, AC4, AC5, ....) Is obtained, which is nothing more than the number of turns that the test specimen holds without the decorative disappearing .... Most of the "people" confuse this AC index as a ratio of soil quality; however, honestly, it only represents resistance to wear and tear and is NOT representative of other more important quality parameters, such as the quality of the support or the strength of the joints - to mention a few - which are what really will determine the useful life of the floor.
To check the surface resistance, a battery of tests reproducing real situations linked to the daily use of the floor are carried out, such as: ease of cleaning (it is tested by staining with graphite on the floor and cleaning it), resistance to cleaning products (no bleach, always pH neutral!), resistance to falling heavy objects or high-heeled shoe treads (that do not break or delaminate), resistance to discoloration over time (through an accelerated aging test ), resistance to scratching, resistance to wear (made with standardized sandpaper). From the latter, the famous "AC" abrasion resistance index (AC3, AC4, AC5, ....) Is obtained, which is nothing more than the number of turns that the test specimen holds without the decorative disappearing .... Most of the "people" confuse this AC index as a ratio of soil quality; however, honestly, it only represents resistance to wear and tear and is NOT representative of other more important quality parameters, such as the quality of the support or the strength of the joints - to mention a few - which are what really will determine the useful life of the floor.
Do you wonder why they are so resistant? For its composition and manufacturing technology. Laminate flooring is a "high density plastic fibreboard laminated with a decorative paper and a transparent" overlay "paper that has previously been impregnated with melamine resins" ". Translated: having high density (High Density Fibreboard, technicians call it) is hard, the overlay -the upper layer loaded with particles of aluminium dioxide or corundum- gives resistance to wear, the plasticizing process "closes" the surface so that the stains do not "fix" to the surface and can be easily removed, the decorative paper gives it a warm appearance and the type of inks used are photoresist, and being made of wood, it is very accessible in price.
Do you wonder why they are so resistant? For its composition and manufacturing technology. Laminate flooring is a "high density plastic fibreboard laminated with a decorative paper and a transparent" overlay "paper that has previously been impregnated with melamine resins" ". Translated: having high density (High Density Fibreboard, technicians call it) is hard, the overlay -the upper layer loaded with particles of aluminium dioxide or corundum- gives resistance to wear, the plasticizing process "closes" the surface so that the stains do not "fix" to the surface and can be easily removed, the decorative paper gives it a warm appearance and the type of inks used are photoresist, and being made of wood, it is very accessible in price.
However, being built on a support of wood fibres, water (spills or moisture) can become one of its weaknesses. For this reason, FINfloor incorporates "Hydroprotect", a technology that consists of a "triad" of: watertight seals to water leaks thanks to the use of a patented system, sealing of the edges with paraffin and a board of high dimensional stability. In fact, since May 2017, FINfloor is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms (domestic and only for non-bevelled designs), with only the FINfloor click joint sealant and the silicone filling perimeter expansion joints.
However, being built on a support of wood fibres, water (spills or moisture) can become one of its weaknesses. For this reason, FINfloor incorporates "Hydroprotect", a technology that consists of a "triad" of: watertight seals to water leaks thanks to the use of a patented system, sealing of the edges with paraffin and a board of high dimensional stability. In fact, since May 2017, FINfloor is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms (domestic and only for non-bevelled designs), with only the FINfloor click joint sealant and the silicone filling perimeter expansion joints.
In addition, FINfloor is resistant to discoloration caused by the sun, to static electricity charges and fulfils as Bfl s1, the euroclass of fire resistance with lower rate of fire propagation and smoke emission.
In addition, FINfloor is resistant to discoloration caused by the sun, to static electricity charges and fulfils as Bfl s1, the euroclass of fire resistance with lower rate of fire propagation and smoke emission.
The entire FINfloor range has the same technical characteristics, class 33, the most demanding, so you only have to invest your time in choosing the design that you like the most, and here you can find the range currently in stock in Ireland.
The entire FINfloor range has the same technical characteristics, class 33, the most demanding, so you only have to invest your time in choosing the design that you like the most, and here you can find the range currently in stock in Ireland.