Living on Laminate

LaminateLiving on A special presentation

of FABULOUS FLOORS

A Design and Resource Guide for Laminate Floor ing

What happens when rustic charm meets modern technology.

MANNINGTON.COM/RES IDENTIALMANNINGTON LAMINATE

W O O D L A N D M A P L E Mist

H I S T O R I C O A KTimber

A R C A D I A Smoke

S A W M I L L H I C K O R YNatural

MR_LivingOnLaminate_Ad.indd 2 4/14/14 3:09 PM

Dicovering Laminate 4What is Laminate Flooring? 4

Florence Michelson — What’s Your Style? 6

Jeanette Chasworth — The Power of Color 8

Creating the Look of Laminate 12

Jeanette Chasworth — What’s Color Got to Do With It? 14

It’s Not Faux Anything... It’s Laminate Flooring! 17

What’s In a Word? The Language of Laminate 18

Laminate Flooring and Your Lifestyle 20Mark Brunetz — Style Shift Underfoot: Today’s Laminate Flooring 20

Laminate Flooring and Your Décor 24

Laminate Flooring Room by Room 32Storage and Utility rooms 36

Entryways 37

Kitchens 38

Kathy Ireland—Designing with Laminate Flooring 39

Gathering Spaces and Living Areas 40

Dining Areas 44

Bedrooms and Nurseries 45

Playrooms 48

Premium Materials 54The Brawn Beneath the Beauty 54

Radiant Heat 56

Underlayment for Laminate and Engineered Wood Flooring 58

NALFA Certified Products 62The Importance of Certification 62

Inherently Green! 54

Installation and Maintenance 66Installation Q & A 66

Getting Ready to Install 67

How to Clean and Maintain Your Laminate Floor 68

Laminate Buyer’s Guide 70Taniya Nyack — Fashion Meets Function 70

Laminate Flooring: Style, Perfromance, Maintenance, and Price 74

You CAN Do It Yourself! 76

NALFA Certified Inspectors and Installers 77

Steve Patterson — Elevate Your Space 80

Cover: Quick-Step, Reclaimé Collection, Mocha Oak Planks

Here, Historic Oak in Ash from Mannington

LaminateLiving on

nalfa.com ❚ 1

2 ❚ Living on Laminate

If you’re working on a flooring project and making a

list of the things you want in a floor, consider laminate

flooring. The laminate flooring of today is not the lami-

nate of yesterday. With quality standards put into effect

by the North American Laminate Flooring Association

(NALFA) and the beautiful designs available, the cater-

gory has flourished into one of the most popular flooring

choices in the market. This can also be attributed to the

product itself. It’s just that good. Take that list of needs in

a floor and start checking off the boxes.

From a design standpoint, you can attain just about

any style, with inspiration from art, nature, fashion and

culture — you can find the rare patterns along with lam-

inate flooring types that mimic traditional flooring. Laminate comes in a

multitude of widths, lengths and thicknesses. It’s extremely durable and easy

to clean and maintain. And in a time when the environment is at the forefront

of consumers’ minds, it’s a choice that you can live with. Laminate flooring is

made from recycled papers and has a low VOC level. It’s also easy to install

over just about any surface, and it works in every room in the house. What’s

more to love? See, all those boxes are checked!

Quality laminate flooring has become so popular, in fact, that we’ve cre-

ated this guide to laminate flooring with generous photography showcasing

the limitless design options, product information from the most prominent

laminate flooring manufacturers in the country and even design tips from

celebrity designers like Kathy Ireland, Taniya Nyack, Erinn Valencich, Mark

Brunetz and more!

We hope you find this book extremely informative and like the product

itself — inspiring. We also hope that when choosing your next flooring

product, you’ll choose a quality laminate flooring. ❚

Happy living,

E.C. “Bill” Dearing

President of the North American Laminate Flooring Association

E. C. “BILL” DEARING,

NALFA PRESIDENT

WelcomeCREDITSLiving on Laminate © 2014

PUBLISHERMargo Rodgers Locust

Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC

PUBLICATION DESIGNRon Toelke

Toelke Associates

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSTeiya Eubanks, Amy Mace

KMT Creative Group, Inc. Chattanooga, TN

Florence Michelson, Design Consultant

Jeanette ChasworthASID, Color Expert

EDITORMarsha Howland

NALFA gratefully acknowledges the support of its members and the laminate industry in the production of this publication.

“Living On Laminate” is a joint initiative of The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) and Fabulous Floors Magazine.

Copyright NALFA © 2014

All Rights Reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in anyway, electronic or mechanical, without written consent from the North American Laminate Flooring Association, NALFA, at 1747 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20006. Contact Teiya Eubanks with questions at 423.316.1566 or [email protected].

FABULOUS FLOORS MAGAZINE is published quarterly, by Fabulous Floors Magazine LLC, PO Box 2166 Dalton, GA 30722, a Georgia LLC. Editorial and Advertising offices located in Dalton, GA Contact: 678.761.5002

Fabulous Floors logo is a trademark of Fabulous Floors Magazine, LLC. Fabulous Floors Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photos, images or artwork.

Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and timeliness of infor-mation, Fabulous Floors Magazine and NALFA cannot be held responsible for dis-crepancies, discontinuance of product nor color reproduction.

nalfa.com ❚ 3

demand the NALFA Certification Seal.

M e M b e r s

C l a r i o n

C o l u m b i a

K r o n o t ex

M a n n i n g t o n

M o h a w k

P e r g o

Q u i c k - S t e p

S h a w

TO R LYS

A s s o c i At e

M e M b e r s

D M X

F l a k e b o a r d

M P G l o b a l

P a k - L i t e

P r e g i s

S e a l e d A i r

S E L I T

For quality and peace of mind,

Your family will test your

floor every day. So buy

a laminate floor that’s

already been tested to

meet 10 key performance

standards for durability,

color, stain resistance,

and more. Just look for

the NALFA Certification

Seal, and purchase a floor

you’ll love to live on.


D I S C O V E R I N G L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G

Reclaimé in Malted Tawny Oak Planks from Quick-Step

When was the last time you looked at laminate?

Brace yourself…

The days of “good” laminate are just about over.

Good is not good enough anymore!

Technology and manufacturing know-how are

delivering laminate flooring products at every price

point and in just about any look imaginable.

What’s interesting from a design standpoint — and

one thing you likely do not know — is that laminate is

not a cheap alternative; no, laminate has evolved into

a flooring category or type all its own.

And today’s laminate from name-brand manufac-

turers is quite lovely, from wood to stone to graphic

What Is Laminate Flooring?

designs, and from long and wide planks with beveled

edges to the look and feel of European handcrafted

hardwoods.

Explore the thicknesses of laminate and products

like underlayments which have changed the perfor-

mance characteristics of laminate to include the virtual

elimination of the sound of heels clicking as you walk

on laminate.

That happened…? Yes! There are many new tech-

niques emerging that create an incredible image on

the top or fashion layer of laminate.

Sound like the laminate you thought you knew? ❚

nalfa.com ❚ 5

WHAT EXACTLY IS LAMINATE FLOORING?

Laminate flooring is comprised of a hybrid of materials fused together through a

unique lamination process.

A. A transparent, protective wear layer is highly resistant to dogs, cats, chairs,

and even high heels.

B. The decorative layer provides a high-definition, highly detailed image.

Today’s laminate flooring manufacturers have the technology and capability

to realistically simulate everything from hardwood to marble to stone.

C. A high-density fiberboard core (or HDF) offers impact resistance, stability

and long-lasting durability.

D. A layer comprised of melamine resin offers additional structural stability and

moisture resistance.

E. Underlayment (which may or may not be built into the laminate floor prod-

uct) is a requirement for any installation. It’s helpful in absorbing some of

the minor imperfections in the sub-floor, reducing some noise when walk-

ing on the floor, and softening some of the impact. Some underlayments also

offer a moisture barrier on one side, which is a good idea for bathroom and

wet-area installations.



What’s Your Style?

For years, laminate flooring has been used for its durability, ease of maintenance and

beauty. Today the abundance of colors and textures coordinates with an array of design

styles. What is your personal style? Do you have one? Is it casual? Modern? Traditional?

Country? Eclectic? Does it have an Asian flair? Let’s explore some style options together.

A deep red color or mahogany floor in a traditional study or living room is a wonder-

ful foreground for leathers and woven fabric furniture. Replace neutral “beige/brown” with

a gray pallette. Imagine a living room, dining room and hall in a shade of gray wood. This

works in both traditional and modern homes!

Width of planks connotes style: Narrow 3" to 4" planks are classic and formal; wide 8"

planks are country, colonial and relaxed. Envision a wide-plank floor in a country kitchen

or a fireplace-warmed family room. Conversely, a sleek new floor of 3" to 4" planks, in very

light or very dark wood with little figurative grain, is striking in a traditional or highly styled

contemporary/modern living room or kitchen.

Innovative distressed wood includes light wire scraping, reproduction bark, barn wood

and reused wood floors with nail holes, saw marks and knots. For an eclectic feel, use it in

a family room with repurposed furnishings complementing the furniture’s unique character.

A lightly distressed laminate floor would be welcome in a study, family room or game room.

The addition of tile-style laminate allows replicating stone, slate, ceramic and concrete on

your fabulous floors! The slate is realistic and marked like actual stone without grout or rough-

ness. Its uniqueness might be found in a country or sleek modern kitchen. The stone look can

replicate marble or granite, in a shiny or distressed finish. A shiny marble look is very dressy

and would be wonderful in a traditional living room or a sleek contemporary space.

FLORENCE MICHELSON

Designer, space planner and consultant,

Florence Michelson’s

design career began in

California in 1957. She

has enjoyed working with a varied spaces,

including private homes, offices,

restaurants, yachts and movie

sets. Florence saw a need in the industry for contemporary lamps, lighting

and accessories and in 1979

opened a designer’s

showroom “To the Trade” filling that void. Now retired at 86, she has put a crown on her

career by joining the team at

Fabulous Floors Magazine,

where she is a regularly featured columnist offering her expertise on style and design.

Flo@fabulous floorsmag.com

Vintage Painted in Ice House from Shaw Amazone Cambridge Oak from Kronotex USA

nalfa.com ❚ 7

Imagine a random group of stones resembling

a country floor with rounded edges. These are very

effective in an entry hall, den or colonial kitchen.

Consider a mosaic style laminate which replicates

small tiles. One thing to remember about mosaics is

they usually depict a picture, a flower or an animal.

Mosaic patterns should be used in smaller venues such

as an entry hall or in four corners of a dining room

or wonderfully well as trim. Mosaic tile style is tra-

ditional and more formal and can be mixed with the

look of high-styled modern.

Let’s not forget the industrial, contemporary look

of a concrete floor when choosing laminate. Yes, you

can get that look too!

With Laminate Flooring… The possibilities are

endless.

So…What’s YOUR style? With laminate you are

only limited by your own ingenuity! ❚

Sweden is where it all began:

Perstorp, AB, is a company that has long been

dedicated to the production of decorative lam-

inate to be used in countertops, windowsills

and wall panels and many other applications.

After much research, the company created

a flooring division, and Pergo made its mar-

ket entry in the Nordic countries in 1977 and

debuted in North America in 1993. Laminate

flooring was immediately embraced by our

flooring consumers as a fantastic new prod-

uct: one that would not stain or fade, was

easily cleaned and featured a quick installa-

tion process that had far less down time and

the associated mess.

Major flooring manufacturers took notice

immediately, and the brands of today began

almost at once. Over the years, North Ameri-

can Laminate Flooring producers consistently

improved the flooring, and now laminate

flooring is recognized as much for its beauty as

it is for its revolutionary technical properties.

Laminate flooring is also known for cre-

ating floors that are environmentally friendly

and recognized as such world-wide.

Laminate flooring uses recycled pieces

and renewable wood products, such as pine

and spruce. And the environmental advantage

continues even at the end of a product’s life,

when the material is burned at waste incinera-

tion plants.

Now that is truly flooring for now and the

future! ❚



The Power of Color

Your laminate floor is an integral part of your design and the foundation of the feeling that

you want to create in your home. One of the unique things about laminate is just how many

options there are to choose from: wood tones, stone and tile — the list goes on. Because of the

nature of the flooring, there are very creative colors, textures and patterns. Laminate is a great

way to incorporate the look of some rare or exotic woods, as well. There are so many options

out there, it’s very easy to be overwhelmed... but it doesn’t have to be a struggle.

Your floor is the cornerstone of your home’s color palette and should work with all the

colors of the rooms where it’s used. Typically, people are more likely to have the same floor-

ing throughout a home, as it provides some continuity.

Your floor should not be the same color as your furniture, but should provide contrast. Many

of today’s laminates have several different tones to provide interest and depth and blend with

more different types of décor. The floor should enhance the colors of the rest of your furniture.

When you are creating your home color palette, you are telling a story, as each color means some-

thing different. Your floor should enhance all the other colors in your home. Ideally, you should

create the color palette all at once, but blending it as you go can be interesting, too.

❚ Grayed woods are very popular right now. Many manufacturers have a wide variety of grays

with undertones of blue, green or brown. These colors create a sense of calm and stability.

Grays provide a sense of strength and steadfastness. We find comfort and peace in the rock-

solid strength of gray.

❚ Deep, dark wood tones can also be bold and beautiful in the right setting. Often they are

used in more formal areas, and can be beautiful in modern rooms with clean sparse lines.

It creates a dramatic statement and a sense of elegance.

❚ Light floors can make a room look bigger. They create a room that is light, bright and airy.

This often creates a very relaxed and casual atmosphere. One caveat is that it may show

wear more in high-traffic areas, but it’s worth it if you want this light and bright feeling.

You will most likely have other light, bright and fun colors in your palette with this floor.

JEANETTE CHASWORTH

Jeanette Chasworth,

a.k.a. “The Color Whisperer,” is a color expert

and interior designer based

in Southern California. She’s a frequent guest

speaker on various radio programs and

is currently unveiling a new

line of earth- conscious paint called Nature’s

Palette. For more color tips and guidance with

laminate, please visit: thecolor

whisperer.com.

What’s Color Got to Do With It? Jeanette Chasworth, ASID, who is an interior designer, color expert,

author and speaker, wrote a book to help you take the fear out of selecting paint colors in your home —

What’s Color Got to Do With It? Paint Color Ideas to Create Balance and Harmony in Your Home. To order

your copy, go to www.fabulousfloorsmagazine.com.

nalfa.com ❚ 9

❚ Midtone woods are the most common choices

because of the flexibility and neutrality to work

with many different styles of furniture and colors.

They can incorporate styles from the casualness of

country, Craftsman simplicity, Victorian elegance or

modern restraint. These colors feel safe, comforting

and traditional. There is great comfort in tradition.

Just as gray gives a sense of stability, there is comfort

in having something that reminds you of a better

time, even if it is romanticized. It makes you feel safe

and “at home.”

Laminate isn’t just restricted to wood colors, but also

has many stone and tile colors, and you can play with

patterns as well as color. Be creative with the patterns

for something really unique.

Color is an intrinsic part of your home, and the

flooring is one of your most important decisions. It

is the foundation of your color scheme, and just like

foundation makeup, color should enhance all the

other colors that work with it. Your home décor tells

your story and should make you feel good. Select sev-

eral colors and bring them home to try to make sure

that you get the right flooring for you. This is a deci-

sion that will last many years; make sure it’s right.

Don’t be afraid to ask a professional designer for help

if it’s overwhelming. Your floor is a big investment

and a little help will reap many rewards. ❚

Left: Light floors can make a room look bigger — Quick-Step’s Rustique Collection, Bleached Rustic Oak Planks.

Right: Gray colors create a sense of calm and stability — Armstrong Laminate’s Coastal Living in Patina

Left: Midtones are popular because of their flexibility and neutrality — Mannington’s Weathered Ridge in Fire. Right: Deep,

dark wood tones can be bold and beautiful in the right setting — Mohawk’s Jasmine in Wild Sable Mesquite


D I S C O V E R I N G L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G | M O H A W K

GenuEdge Technology Brings Superior Realism to Laminate Flooring

Mohawk laminate flooring continues to set the

new standard in unmatched design, pulling

in the natural characteristics and textures found in

today’s most popular hardwoods. Capturing the beau-

tiful look of hardwood floors goes beyond just the top

surface. The edge and end treatments on laminate

flooring complete the overall desired look of hard-

wood floors, creating an incredible visual. The new

standard in realism and maintainability, GenuEdge

Technology truly captures the essence of hardwood

by allowing the gorgeous paper designs to actually roll

over the edge of the laminate planks. Combined with

the best registered embossed designs in the industry,

Mohawk laminate flooring gives your home the natu-

ral look of authentic wood floors.

GenuEdge™ is a life–saver in the cleanup depart-

ment as well. Homeowners everywhere appreciate

laminate flooring for how quickly and effectively

it can be cleaned. The unique overlay design of

GenuEdge prevents the build-up of dust and dirt

between planks. Not only do your floors look amaz-

ing, they are now easier to maintain.

Chances are you have recently walked on or noticed a beautiful laminate floor without ever knowing it.

To keep your laminate flooring looking newly

installed, even in high-traffic areas, laminate floors

with GenuEdge technology have the added durabil-

ity of ScratchGuard™ Advanced Finish Protection.

Designed with your active home in mind, Scratch-

Guard preserves your shining exterior by infusing

aluminum crystals into the top layer of the laminate

planks as an actual part of the finish. ScratchGuard

gives you unparalleled surface defense against abra-

sion, providing increased resistance to micro-scratches

and outperforming other leading laminate brands in

MAR (Micro Abrasion Resistance) Tests.

Dulling and tiny scratches from everyday dirt and

dust are no threat to your beautiful laminate floors.

Together, GenuEdge and ScratchGuard create spec-

tacular-looking laminate flooring and ensure the finish

will remain spectacular for years to come

GenuEdge™ is so realistic and so close to hard-

wood, you can’t tell the difference! ❚

www.mohawkflooring.com 1-800-2MOHAWK (800-266-4295)

Jasmine in Natural Amendoim from Mohawk

nalfa.com ❚ 11

GenuEdge Technology. The actual look of Hardwood with durability of Laminate

Mohawk’s new GenuEdge™ Technology features the most realistic hardwood looks ever seen in laminate flooring. This superior visual effect is achieved through an

innovative process that allows the paper to roll over the edges of the laminate plank, just like with real hardwood. This innovative process combined with gorgeous paper

designs and Mohawk’s quality, direct pressure laminate technique makes these laminates the closest thing to real hardwood you will find!

• True Hardwood Edge

• Superior Realism

• Easy Maintenance

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D I S C O V E R I N G L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G | S C H A T T D E C O R

Creating the Look of LaminatePrinted décor paper made by Schattdecor stands for dependability and trust all over the

world. Use of our décors helps conserve the valuable natural resource of timber. Plus our

low-pollution production methods make an active contribution to environmental protection.

Research, development and forward-looking innovation activities are the basis of our high-

performance products and customer-oriented services.

Thanks to our worldwide operations, we are firmly anchored in regional markets and

cultures and speak the language of our customers. We also play an active role in the com-

munities in which our plants are located. We are the makers of perfect décors — décors that

create the stunning looks of laminate flooring.

nalfa.com ❚ 13

Schattdecor

Schattdecor was founded by Walter Schatt in 1985. Headquartered in Thansau, Upper

Bavaria, in Germany, today it is the world’s leading producer of printed décor papers used in

the manufacture of laminate flooring.

The company has production sites in Germany, Poland, Italy, Russia, China, Brazil,

Turkey, and the United States — in Maryland Heights, near St. Louis, Missouri.

Concern for the environment is reflected by use of environmentally friendly materi-

als such as water-based inks, organic pigments, and FSC-certified base papers, and through

waste separation, wastewater treatment, and conscientious energy use.

Schattdecor’s specialists monitor worldwide trends, and the company’s collection car-

ries a wide variety of designs all available in trend-worthy colors. Domestic manufacturing,

popular successful designs, design development and marketing, superior quality and a digital

coloring system — these are all part of the service that Schattdecor offers its customers under

the “Made by Schattdecor” label. ❚

Schattdecor Inc. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 [email protected] www.schattdecor.com

What is décor printing?

Décor printing is a process involved in the production of décor paper — paper printed to

resemble wood or other materials and then laminated to a rigid substrate for use as the surface

of worktops, cabinet fronts, furniture components, wall panels, windowsills and especially

laminate floors. Décor paper designs can be divided into the following three categories:

• wood reproductions

• reproductions and interpretations of stone, fabrics, tiling and metallic surfaces

• fantasy and abstract designs

Décor printing is a form of rotogravure printing. At Schattdecor this printing technique

involves use of a white or tinted base paper that facilitates further processing require-

ments, whereby tinted base paper is often used as an additional color component. For

environmental reasons, Schattdecor uses only water-based inks which incorporate organic

pigments free of heavy metals. The inks are extremely lightfast and are optimised to the

paper. Today, décors are no longer regarded as reproductions or imitations, but as high-

quality originals in their own right!



What’s Color Got To Do With It?

JEANETTE CHASWORTH People get excited about new color trends to see what to buy and what to wear, but the

trends are more than a suggestion for what is “hot,” they are also a reflection of what is

going on in our world around us, they tell a story of how we feel and what we think.

Flooring colors tend toward neutrals because of their permanence and the need to

“blend” with many rooms and styles. Paint, on the other hand, is more flexible. Colors

can change from room to room, and the relative ease of repainting means that color trends

change more rapidly. At any time, there is a much wider palette available, and more people

are willing to take a chance on a color.

The trend towards gray and lapidary neutrals continue to be popular. As our world has

become more chaotic and filled with change and we are bombarded with information, gray

reflects consistency, stability and safety. In a world that becomes more frenetic each day, the

quietness of gray helps us to relax and feel more serene.

Color trends in 2015 bring more earthy colors; olive greens and muted blues. Both are

calming and healing colors and create a wel-

coming home that relaxes you after fighting

work and traffic. The earthy colors are great

at making you feel part of the outdoors and

can be very soothing.

We are also seeing some brighter col-

ors like coral, violet, turquoise and amber.

These colors are a sign of optimism in our

lives, whether the economy, the world,

or just our own individual spirits. Color

trends change as they reflect the mood of

the population, but you can use these color

trends to create your own haven, and help

you create the mood you want to live in.

When you are looking at colors, choose the

color that makes you FEEL good and use

the power of color to create a home that

tells YOUR story. ❚

nature’s palettethe conscious side of color

nalfa.com ❚ 15

Now it’s easy to be green!Nature’s Palette Paint has been recycled from un-used or unwanted

paint and gets “a new life” in your home, office or special retreat.Nature’s Palette is available in 24 earth-friendly colors that reflect

nature and create an environment that is uniquely you.

nature’s palettethe conscious side of color

Available from The Color Whisperer | www.TheColorWhisperer.com


D I S C O V E R I N G L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G | Q U I C K - S T E P

“Reclaimed hardwood floors are extremely

popular, adding an attractive level of style

and artistry to a room,” said Erinn Valencich, celebrity

designer, style expert and recent contestant on NBC’s

hit new design reality show American Dream Builders.

“The roadblock most consumers run into is that

real reclaimed wood is scarce, so reclaimed hardwood

prices are high. An exciting solution is Quick-Step’s

Reclaimé Collection, which provides consumers with

the rich visuals and charm of vintage, reclaimed hard-

wood floors at an attractive price.”

The Rich Visuals and Charm of Vintage Reclaimed Hardwood Floors at an Attractive Price

Quick-Step’s Reclaimé Collection

Quick-Step, Reclaimé Collection, Heathered Oak Planks

“I have used Reclaimé in many of my clients’

homes,” said Valencich. “The level of realism, sophis-

ticated design and texture makes it difficult for a

consumer to tell the difference between a Reclaimé

plank and real reclaimed, vintage wood. My clients

love their Reclaimé floors!

“Three of the biggest trends in hardwood flooring

right now are time-worn visuals, strong character looks,

and wide/long planks. Reclaimé satisfies all of these

design preferences through a variety of rich décors on

extra-long, extra-wide planks for expansive style:

❚ the charm of wood gracefully weathered

by time and the elements;

❚ ‘skip-sawn’ textured surfaces reminiscent of

wood originally hand cut in a bygone era

❚ the delicacy of vintage wood that has been

white-washed by hand and

❚ the rustic elegance of planks featuring unique

wood splits”

“Reclaimé’s romantic reclaimed hardwood designs

are offered in a palette of designer colors from rich

chocolate to warm browns, natural tones, white wash

and muted as well as striking grays.”

“Quick-Step’s Reclaimé Collection is on pace with

the hottest design styles and trends in the home decorat-

ing market,” said Valencich. ❚

www.us.quick-step.com

nalfa.com ❚ 17

If lifestyle or budget considerations preclude the

investment of installing a hardwood or ceramic

tile floor, you can choose a laminate flooring option

that offers great visuals, incredible durability and easy

upkeep on a budget.

Laminate is a “picture” of real wood, stone, mar-

ble or any pattern on a core of wood chip composite

(medium- or high-density fiber board), finished with a

wear layer to protect the image layer. A manufacturer

takes many photos of $100 per-square-foot marble,

presses it into a laminate tile and makes the high-end

style affordable.

Laminate has so many benefits, it’s not surprising

that it has gained such a wide audience:

❚ Affordability

❚ A large variety of colors, patterns, textures

and sizes

❚ Durability

❚ Easy installation and maintenance

❚ Do-It-Yourself possibilities

❚ Allergen-free properties

Improvements in the technology of the printing

presses allow realistic textures to be embossed on the

laminate, opening design options to include hand-

It’s Not Faux Anything … It’s Laminate Flooring!

scraped, rustic, distressed and reclaimed. The sense of

texture helps laminates emulate natural, organic mate-

rials, giving the floor depth.

High-definition photography brings real-life imag-

ery to the surface of laminates. Higher-end laminates

have a number of pictures that make up a style. This

helps recreate the color, pattern and texture variability

that informs a natural product. By choosing a lami-

nate with multiple pictures per style, you’ll never have

the telltale pattern repeat, and only you will know: Is

it real, or is it laminate?

Good to Know: There is a term in the laminate

world called “AC” or abrasion class, followed by a

number. It is a good idea to ask your sales associate for

the rating of the products you are interested in.

❚ AC1 is suitable for light, infrequent traffic, such as

a bedroom

❚ AC2 is sufficient for general residential use

❚ AC3 is highly recommended if you have a busy

household with kids and dogs

❚ AC4 is a commercial rating for boutiques or busy

offices

❚ AC5 is the highest rating, also for commercial

applications, such as department stores or public

buildings ❚



Acclimation | Adaptation of the floor to its surroundings

Acoustical properties | How the floor absorbs and transfers sound

Adhesion | A chemical process that joins together two materials

Antistatic | Ability to limit the accumulation of static electricity

Backer | A material bonded to the back of the top layer of flooring

Balanced construction | When similar materials are bonded to both sides of a laminate panel

Bond | The joining together of two materials

Chemical resistance | The degree to which a material resists visual or physical degradation from exposure to various chemicals

Colorfastness | The ability of a material to retain its original color when exposed to elements such as light

Compact laminate | High pressure laminate that is 2 millimeters thick or more

Continuous press laminate (CPL) | A manufacturing process where the laminate is formed on a continuous double-belted press

Continuous laminate flooring A product created by permanently bonding a continuous press laminate to a core

Core | The center of a panel between the surface layer and backing

Crook | A specific type of warp where the panel that was once straight on the edge curves from end to end

Crowning | A specific type of warp where a panel assumes the shape of an inverted “U” along the length or width dimensions of the face

Cupping | A specific type of warp where a panel assumes the shape of a “U” along the length or width dimensions of the face

Décor layer | The decorative layer of laminate flooring

Deflection | The bending of a material between supports

Delaminating | Separation of the panel’s layer(s)

Density | Unit weight per volume of a panel expressed in lb/ft3 or kg/m3

Depression | A dent in the surface of a panel

Dimensional stability | The ability of a material to resist changes in measured dimensions. These changes are caused by environmental factors such as moisture or temperature.

Direct laminate flooring | A product where resin layers are permanently bonded to the core

Direct press laminate (DPL) A laminating process where the wear layer and décor surface are bonded directly to the substrate in a single step

Embossing | Giving a texture to the surface of the panel

Equilibrium moisture content The moisture content at which material neither gains nor loses moisture at a given relative humidity

Expansion gap | The space that must be left between fixed objects (such as walls and cabinets) and other material to allow for shifting

Fiberboard | A core material primarily composed of cellulose fibers and synthetic resins or other suitable bonding systems. The materials are usually designated as low, medium, or high density

Flame spread | Measurement of the flame propagation along the surface of a material

Floating floor | Installation method where the flooring panels are connected together but not attached to the subfloor

High density fiberboard (HDF) | A fiberboard with density greater than 800 kg/m3

High pressure laminate (HPL | A laminating process where materials are consolidated under heat and pressure exceeding 750 pounds per square inch

High pressure laminate flooring | A product created by permanently bonding high pressure decorative laminate to a core

Impact Resistance | Ability to resist fracture or damage from a falling object

What’s in a Word? The Language of Laminate

nalfa.com ❚ 19

Inlay | A decorative effect in flooring that combines elements of the same material but with different colors or patterns

Laminate | A product made by bonding together two or more layers of material

Laminate flooring | A rigid floor covering with a surface layer of fibrous material, infused with amino plastic thermosetting resins. The product is normally finished with a backing. Its performance values are set by the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA)/American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF) | A type of core material primarily composed of lignocellulose fibers combined with a synthetic resin or other bonding system; bonded together under heat and pressure

Melamine resin | A thermosetting resin used in the creation of laminate

Moisture content | The amount of water in the material, usually expressed as a percentage of the dry weight

Moisture meter | A tool used to measure moisture content

Overlay | A product of paper, plastic, film, metal foil or other material incorporated into the laminate flooring surface; provides wear resistance and protection

Panels | Finished sections of the laminate flooring, such as planks, tiles and squares

Particleboard | A core material primarily composed of cellulosic materials (usually wood), generally in the form of discrete pieces or particles

Pattern end matched | When the ends of the flooring panels, typically similar patterns, are matched end to end to create a continuous linear effect

Peaking | Areas of laminate flooring at adjoining panel seams that have risen above the intended horizontal plane of the flooring surface

Plank | A tile approximately five or six times longer than wide

Pressing | A manufacturing process where material layers are consolidated using pressure

Residual indentation | The difference between the initial and final thickness after performing the static load test

Resins | A polymeric material used for impregnating and bonding layers of laminate flooring

Seams | A line where panels are connected together

Stain resistance | When a material resists permanent discoloration from exposure to household items and/or industrial chemicals

Substrate | The core material of the laminate flooring

Sub-floor | A pre-existing supporting surface in a structure

Surface layer | The outermost layer of laminate flooring designed to be the visible side when installed; the wear layer

Tile | A panel of geometric shapes such as squares or rectangles

Thermo fusing | A process where resins are consolidated under heat and pressure to create a permanent bond

Thermosetting resins | Resins that cure by chemical reaction to form bonds. They do not melt when exposed to heat.

Underlayment | A material used between the laminate flooring and the subfloor

Warp | A curve in the material

Wear resistance | Ability of the laminate flooring surface to resist wear through its décor layer

Wear Layer | Surface layer

Floating floor — Installation method where the flooring panels are connected together but not attached to the subfloor


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G A N D Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E

I was first introduced to laminate flooring during my days as co-host

on Style Network’s Clean House. It was a perfect solution for these

quick-turnaround makeovers: easy and fast to install, simple with little

effort for the homeowners to maintain; with the array of colors and

styles, the design possibilities seemed limitless.

The floating floor installation is far more forgivable than other

installation methods. Because the laminate boards attach to each other

and rest on top of the sub-floor, a slightly imperfect sub-floor wouldn’t

hold up production with repairs. And regardless of the construction of

the existing floor, whether it was wood, concrete, tile or vinyl, laminate

could most often be installed right over it.

Today, manufacturing gives laminates a similar surface treatment as

to hardwoods, such as hand-scraped, distressed looks and even knots

and nail holes — all of which make for a more realistic look. This

textural and precise replication is also found in laminate tiles, with

a range of options from glossy, polished marble to matte, and aged

slate. Plus, countless options for shape, width, length and edge detail-

ing makes working with laminate just as creative as any other element

of the room.

In fact, I was recently working with a family living in a small ranch

in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. We replaced worn vinyl tiles in

the kitchen and 30 year old carpet throughout the house with wide,

walnut stained laminate planks. Immediately, the laminate created con-

tinuity throughout the main rooms and the detail in the beveled edges

made for a natural yet rich look. Needless to say, it’s perfect for a fam-

ily of five, and they love it!

Flooring creates immediate impact, so it often serves as the starting

point when it comes to product selection. Today’s laminate is an ideal

solution for clients looking to obtain a certain look when hardwood is

impractical, such as high-moisture or high-traffic areas or if you’re under

the gun with a 48-hour makeover on TV. With optimum durability and

unlimited design versatility, today’s laminate is the way to go. ❚

A Style Shift Underfoot: Today’s Laminate Flooring

MARK BRUNETZ

An accomplished interior designer and TV personality, Mark Brunetz is a public face in the landscape of contemporary

American design. Mixing elements both old and new, Mark creates

streamlined, rich and architectural spaces; seamlessly connecting every home to its inhabitants. Maintaining a small studio that only takes a few

projects at a time, Mark is currently at work on a select range of residences in the U.S. He also serves as the national

spokesperson for the International Design Guild’s Designer Program. For more information, please visit

www.MarkBrunetz.com.

nalfa.com ❚ 21

You walk on it. You dance on it. You work and

play on it. Yes, the flooring in your home is at the

heart of everything. You live on it!

You want a floor that is durable, something that

reflects YOU and your personal style… and something

that is affordable.

In an economy where “smart spending” has become

the rallying call, laminate floors have answered.

Laminate flooring is quite possibly the best all-

encompassing package for your decorating dollar

and perfect for busy families who want low-mainte-

nance flooring.

Protected by a tough external layer and resin

coating, a laminate floor is much stronger, and more

scratch-resistant, impact-resistant and longer lasting,

than any hardwood, vinyl or carpet. It’s virtually resis-

tant to dogs, cats, kids and even high heels.

Now that you’re ready to decorate or redecorate

your home or business… Have you considered the

environment?

Laminate flooring is made from wood and wood

by-products, and does not involve the harvesting of

rare or endangered trees.

Long-lasting, attractive and affordable, laminate is

easy to install and available in an endless array of col-

ors, patterns, textures and styles — the perfect option

for anyone in search of consistent, beautiful quality.

Affordable quality

Not only is laminate flooring generally less expensive

than other hard-surface floors to start with, but when

its durability and longevity are considered, it becomes

a particularly economical choice.

Living on Laminate Flooring“Customers who are looking for affordability and

top-notch performance are discovering that with lam-

inate, you get both,” said Bill Dearing, president of

the North American Laminate Flooring Association

(NALFA). “Whether you want a premium product or

a mid-range option, there are countless choices with

laminate.”

Tailor-made style

While many laminate floors simulate the authentic

look of hardwood or stone, the possibilities for new

styles and colors are limitless. A variety of color tones

and patterns enable you to match the floor with the

exact mood and style of your room, whether it’s rich

and elegant or cool and contemporary. We think you’ll

be pleasantly surprised by the availability, realism and

quality of today’s laminate floor styles.

With laminate, the journey begins with tradition,

proceeds with innovation, and ends in undeniable

beauty. ❚

Ritz Collection in Magic Valley Ash from Shaw


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G A N D Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E | M O H A W K

Image Is Everything. Our design experts follow and study the ever-changing fashion,

design and color trends. Striking features such as wider single planks, bolder col-

ors, authentic textures and never-before-seen species currently play a growing role in

Mohawk laminate’s hottest looks that surprise even the most discerning design eye. Incor-

porating trendy color tones like gray and technological techniques such as scraping and

embossing are creating looks that are picture-perfect renderings of authentic hardwood.

Character flooring is definitely the hottest trend in hard surface flooring. Two of Mohawk’s

Today’s Laminate Flooring Has Everyone Doing A Double Take

Laminate is experiencing a Renaissance thanks to innovative technology and savvy styling harnessed by manufacturers like Mohawk, the world’s largest producer of floor coverings. Its new generation of laminate flooring precisely captures the look of authentic hardwood, and consumers can’t help but do a double take.

Right: Jasmine

in Caramel

Bamboo

from Mohawk

Opposite:

Jasmine

in Natural

Amendoim from

Mohawk

nalfa.com ❚ 23

most popular on-trend collections that capture the natural look of today’s most sought-

after hardwood are Barrington and Kincade.

Barrington is a single-plank, rustic textured product that emulates the exact look of time-

worn hardwood. The beautiful naturalistic features of Barrington include deep graining, saw

marks and a heavier rustic texture which add a lot of contrast and enhance the overall dra-

matic visual. Barrington’s color palette consists of rustic grays and taupes representing the

looks of driftwood and truly brings out the beauty of natural wood.

Kincade features an “oil-rubbed finish” and captures all of the inspiring beauty found in

today’s hottest furniture lines. Kincade is a single-plank collection featuring a much lighter

textured scrape providing a softer, elegant visual. Kincade’s color palette consists of the most

sought-after colors found in today’s hottest exotic species.

In addition to color and texture, board width also affects how a floor will look. The

popularity of wider widths continues. The wider width floors add visual drama and unique

distinction. The Barrington and

Kincade collections are available

in 4 7⁄8" width.

Mohawk Laminate Flooring

offers a wide selection of rich colors

and authentic hardwood designs

in several different grades and

“embossed–in–register” designs in

which the surface texture exactly

matches the image texture for the

highly realistic look and feel of a

real hardwood floor. ❚

Mohawk Laminate Flooring offers a wide selection of rich colors and authentic hardwood designs in several different grades and “embossed–in–register” designs

www.mohawkflooring.com 1-800-2MOHAWK (800-266-4295)



Laminate Flooring and Your DécorLaminate makes the improbable possible. And it has everything to do with imagination

and ingenuity.

You can have the truly classic looks you’ve always desired — oak, cherry, maple and hick-

ory and elegant exotics like cypress, bamboo and tigerwood. Even species too rare and too

fragile to cut for flooring are available in laminate — and you can have them at an affordable

price. Burlwood. Spalted maple. Wide-plank apple wood. Original forest teak.

If you have not experienced the new laminate, do yourself a favor. Go to your flooring

retailer and ask to see some of the new pickings, which will include the latest in locking sys-

tems for a virtually seamless floor; moisture, mildew and bacteria resistance; and the absolute

latest in sound reduction systems.

And the detailing is remarkable. High-gloss or soft-oil finishes, beveled edges, tight joints,

hand-scraped looks, distinct graining, knots, even mineral banding and other distinguishing

character marks. New details like dyed ends and sides create a seamless, visually perfect floor.

Historic Oak in Ash from Mannington Claremont Slate from Pergo

nalfa.com ❚ 25

While you’re at it, ask to look at some of the prod-

ucts that turn your laminate floor into an example

of craftsmanship… trim. There is a host of trims and

accessories to match or coordinate with your laminate

for the kind of detail you want in your home.

Any of these areas of growth can make laminate

an attractive choice for your home, but when taken

together it’s obvious why interior designers are mak-

ing laminate an option for high-styling homes.

❚ Coastal white wash — Who doesn’t love a vacation

from real life for a few days, a chance to escape to

a peaceful seaside? Laminate products that resem-

ble bleached pine or whitewashed oak are airy and

beautiful, offering a sense of beach-inspired tran-

quility on the most hectic days.

❚ Uptown gloss — There are some rooms in the

house that call for a sense of occasion, living and

dining spaces that were created to celebrate life’s

significant events and the calendar’s most festive

holidays. With luxurious, high-gloss laminate that

looks like glowing hardwood, every day can feel

like Thanksgiving.

❚ Rustic warmth — The more modern our world

gets, the greater our desire to return to our roots,

to a time where hard work and late nights could

create something truly beautiful. Laminate floors

in dark wood tones with hand-scraped finishes can

transform your floor into that of an early Ameri-

can cabin or even an old Manhattan townhouse,

lending a homey, Old World vibe to the most

modern homes.

❚ French bleed edges — Calling to mind the dining

rooms of Provence or perhaps even Thomas Jeffer-

son, French bleed laminate planks are elegant and

effortless. One of the most versatile trends on the

market, these wood-inspired planks—dark on the

edges and light in the center — would look perfect

in a formal dining room or casual living space.

Laminate textures

are anything but flat

Thanks to the latest technologies, laminate flooring

can not only look, but also feel like real wood and

stone. Different textures and designs can instantly add

warmth to your floor. Some trends to consider are:

Chelsea Park in Bronzed Jatoba from Bruce Laminate Terrawood in Kinabalu Teak from Torlys



❚ Weathered wood — Laminate that has been saw cut, scraped or

treated with deep ticking has a seasoned quality to lend character to

your living area or bathroom. Look for earth-inspired pieces that are

natural and realistic.

❚ Modern graphic — Geometric textures added to wood, ceramic or

even plastic-inspired materials give a modern edge to more utilitarian

spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. Wood colors can be mixed and

matched to create bold patterns, while various sizes of tile can create

stripes and borders.

❚ Natural stone and polished porcelain — The soft shades of slate, stone

and ceramic tile offer eye-catching alternatives to wood. High-gloss

Palermo stone, sandy Peruvian slate, and weathered terra cotta call

to mind visions of Italian piazzas and Irish castles — a touch of his-

tory for your modern home. Easy to clean and extremely durable,

stone-inspired laminate is perfect for high-traffic areas that must look

fantastic at all times. ❚

Barrington in Bourbon Hickory from Mohawk

Common

laminate finishes

Bamboo

Maple

Slate

Cherry

Oak

Stone

Hickory

Pine

nalfa.com ❚ 27

Visualize Your

Laminate Flooring

Step 1: Get the look

Begin by turning everything you do into research.

Trips you take, homes you visit, photos you see

in books and magazines — these can all inspire

the floor that you will put in your own personal

space.

Decide if you want to go earthy, modern,

subdued or bright and vibrant. Do you prefer

a surface that looks like wood and stone or a

clean print?

Step 2: Pick your price

Quality laminate is available at almost every

price, offering wonderful options for the bud-

get shopper as well as the person who wants to

spend more for higher-end products.

Do your research at local home improvement

stores or online, and consult experts such as dec-

orators or flooring installers. They can give you

realistic quotes on material price and the cost of

various installations.

Step 3: Put the plan in action

Pick a few days when you can focus on just

the installation of your new floor. Move furni-

ture and other belongings into another room

or storage space, and then turn it over to the

installation crew.

HGTV is a great resource if you’re look-

ing for a step-by-step plan. Visit http://www.

diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-lami-

nate-flooring/index.html for more information. ❚ At Top: The Reserve Collection in Hickory Auburn Spice

from Bruce Laminate. Above: Illusions in Flaxen Maple

from Armstrong


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G A N D Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E | QUICK - STEP

Quick-Step: Beauty, Performance, and Value

Erinn Valencich

is a celebrity

designer,

style expert

and recent

contestant on

NBC’s hit new

design reality

show American

Dream Builders.

www.us.quick-step.com

Stylish and Durable

“I believe that beautiful rooms are meant to be lived in. Of course your home should be

stylish. But if you can’t enjoy living in it, what’s the point? Quick-Step offers the richest,

most sophisticated premium looks in tandem with durability and very low maintenance.

Quick-Step floors are extremely resistant to dents, stains, fading, wear, dulling, water and

scratching — so children’s toys, household traffic, everyday spills and mishaps are no

match for beautiful, stylish Quick-Step flooring.”

Extreme Realism

“The level of realism, natural texture and detailed hardwood design inherent in Quick-Step

flooring makes it hard to tell the difference between Quick-Step and a plank of real hard-

wood. Quick-Step floors make it easy and affordable to bring a high level of style into your

home, at a price that fits nicely into most decorating budgets.”

Install In A Day — Enjoy For Years To Come

“Quick-Step floors are also easy to install, because they feature the patented Uniclic glue-

less installation locking system. Installation is fast and easy. You can literally install a room

in a day and enjoy it for years to come!”

Long Live Style

“I believe in creating spaces that are fun, elegant and livable. That’s why I like Quick-Step. I

know that Quick-Step floors will also stand up to busy lives, and stay looking great. No other

flooring offers the beauty, performance and price/value of Quick-Step — making this modern

flooring option a great choice for beautiful, livable flooring.” ❚

Beautiful...

“As a professional interior designer, Quick-Step flooring the gives me design freedom I demand — including a stunning variety of colors, styles and beautiful hardwood decors,” said Erinn Valencich, Los Angeles-based interior designer, style expert and recent contestant on NBC’s new hit design reality show American Dream Builders. “Quick-Step is a fashion-driven product line that is on pace with the hottest trends in home decorating.”ERINN

VALENCICH

nalfa.com ❚ 29

Reclaimé Collection, White Wash Oak Planks from Quick-Step

Quick-Step, Modello Collection,

Smoky Rustic Oak Planks

Quick-Step, Dominion Collection,

Malaysian Merbau Planks


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G A N D Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E | QUICK - STEP

What Is Style My Floor?

Style My Floor is a free digital app for use on hand-

held iPhones, iPads and Androids. The Style My

Floor app lets you realistically see on your hand-held

device, in real time, what a particular Quick-Step

floor would look like installed in any specific room

of your home. Using augmented reality technology,

Style My Floor displays a virtual Quick-Step floor

over your room’s existing floor when viewed on the

device’s screen. This allows you to accurately envi-

sion what your room will look like with the new

Quick-Step floor installed, before ever setting foot

inside a flooring store or making a purchase.

With Quick-Step’s FREE “Style My Floor” App, Selecting The Perfect Floor Has Never Been Easier!

Quick-Step, the style, design and innovation leader in laminate flooring, has successfully developed and launched a revolutionary new digital shopping tool for consumers — “Style My Floor.” This is one of the very best “visualization” tools in the flooring industry today, making shopping for a new floor easy and fun. And it's free!

How Does It Work?

It’s easy and fun! In the same way that you would

hold up your iPad (or iPhone or Android) to take a

picture of your living room, Style My Floor allows

you to view your living room on the iPad screen.

But, instead of your room’s current floor, your eyes

will see the Quick-Step floor of your choice appear

on the screen as the floor of your living room! With

simply a keystroke or swipe you can try out as many

different Quick-Step floors as you want to — in real

time. Quick-Step’s entire line can be viewed with

Style My Floor. Selecting the right floor has never

been easier!

What Else Does It Do?

Enabling a 360-degree view, the Style My Floor app shows exceptional

details of each Quick-Step product. In addition, you can take pho-

tos, share images, find a flooring retailer and order up to five product

samples of Quick-Step flooring free through the app. All with a simple

keystroke or swipe on a handheld iPhone, iPad or Android in the relaxed

comfort of your home.

Experience Style My FloorFor more information or to personally experience Quick-Step’s new Style My Floor free app, go to https://us.quickstep.

com/StyleMyFloor/. ❚

Style My Floor is a FREE app. Compatible devices include Apple (iPhone 5,

5S, 5c / iPad Air / iPad 3) and Android (4.0 or above for optimal experience).

You can see in the above picture that her room has carpet in real life, but her eyes see a Quick-Step hardwood plank

design as the room’s floor when viewed on her iPad using Style My Floor.

www.nalfa.com ❚ 31

www. us.quick-step.com


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G R O O M B Y R O O M

Laminate Flooring Room by RoomFor centuries, the most beautiful floors in the world have begun with the patterns, colors

and textures of nature. The skilled hands of artisans have shaped and refined them into

beveled stone, tightly mortared tile and softly oiled or highly lacquered wooden surfaces.

New technologies and visionary designs now offer these traditional wood, stone and

tile looks in laminate flooring, beautifully realistic, affordable, durable and environmen-

tally friendly.

The power of laminate to restyle an individual room or an entire home is a triumph of

advanced technology and artistic imagination.

Ancestry

in Moscato

Wire Brushed

from Shaw

nalfa.com ❚ 33

Designers today are celebrating individuality. The exciting news is that laminate is

especially customizable. It can be installed in numerous patterns — including herringbone,

basket-weave or diagonal. Trim pieces can complement a floor design. A medallion can add

a dramatic focal point, mixing with other design materials. Contrasting borders can define

spaces or accentuate any room or hallway. Entire laminate staircase systems, from tradi-

tional to avant-garde, invite you to customize and integrate floor designs.

Because design should begin and end with creativity and personal vision, feel free to start

with the words, “Just imagine…. ”

Laminate will take care of the rest. >>

Quick-Step

Eligna Collection

Tropical Koa

Planks


Go ahead. Walk all over us. You may be surprised

by what you see — and feel.

Armstrong Laminate Flooring looks like the real

thing. Distinctive grain. Authentic textures. Realistic

looks. Durable and affordable, yet uncompromising

on quality, these floors can be installed anywhere in

the home — that’s the real beauty of Armstrong lami-

nate floors.

“People are renovating, not purely for resale

value, but for their own comfort and pleasure,” says

Armstrong Principal Designer Sara Babinski. “There is

a deep desire to have home be a sanctuary — a refuge

and reflection of personal tastes and values. Our con-

sumers want things to last. Our new laminate floors

are timeless and extraordinary at the same time.”

Chic: Armstrong laminate floors capture the authen-

ticity and colors of real wood species, natural stones

and ceramics. Beyond woods and stones, our laminate

also can mimic unexpected materials like aged metals

and precast cement.

Touchable Texture: Designers have known it for

years, but the texture trend is catching fire with home-

owners and we have a feeling it’s here to stay. We are

taking cues from natural materials; raw wood, rough

stone. We are using new technologies to create these

incredibly genuine looks.

Our laminate wood looks feature everything

from domestic woods and exotics to reclaimed, dis-

tressed and hand-scraped looks, offering a texture

L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G R O O M B Y R O O M | A R M S T R O N G

Picture-Perfect Floors: Armstrong Laminate

Want something new? Something fresh? Something elegant and well-made? Then You Want Today’s Laminate Flooring

and grain consistent with the design. One of today’s

most desired looks is reclaimed hardwood. The look

of reclaimed wood flooring takes us places... From a

cozy cabin or refurbished warehouse loft to a country

cottage. Now it can take you home — in a beautiful

new collection called Architectural Remnants. These

floors — which have won numerous awards for design

and innovation — capture the distinctive look and

texture of reclaimed wood, at an affordable price.

Edgy: Armstrong laminate floors also offer on-trend;

exciting designs that capture hard-to-get or expen-

sive materials like aged metal, cement and weathered

wood. Our Coastal Living Patina Collection features

wood, rustic metal and cement visuals that appear to

be weathered by wind, sun and sea to add an unex-

pected element of design into your home.

Smart: Incredible, beautiful, realistic looks, yes; but

Armstrong laminate is also durable, affordable and child-

friendly and can be installed anywhere in the home.

Laminate flooring is incredibly durable, and with our

VisionGuard® wear layer you will be protected against

scratches, surface spills, stains, fading, scrapes and wear-

through. It is the perfect choice for active households.

It is also easy to install with our patented lock and fold

installation method and can be installed in any room

of your home. So if you want the latest looks in fash-

ion and design, but are on a practical budget, rethink

the possibilities of laminate flooring from Armstrong.

nalfa.com ❚ 35

Left: New England Long Plank in Boston Tea; above:

Architectural Remnants, skip planed in Blackened Natural,

both from Armstrong Laminate.

Armstrong has been providing beautiful, long-lasting

flooring for more than a century. Our name is known

and trusted the world over for consistent quality, inno-

vative designs and incredibly satisfied customers. Visit

your local Armstrong retailer to see our spectacular lam-

inate collections for yourself. www.armstrong.com ❚

www.armstrong.com

Grand Illusions in Melbourne Acacia from Armstrong Laminate



Storage, Utility, and Laundry rooms

Utility rooms and laundry rooms tend to take the brunt of our daily living. Laminate is ver-

satile. It can go just about anywhere in your home and installs easily above and below grade.

Today’s laminate is the result of ingenious technological breakthroughs. It is impact, fade,

stain, wear and moisture resistant, antibacterial, antimold, antistatic and sound insulating.

Armed with the latest technology (and mindful of the budget), laminate flooring explores the

terrain of the imagination.

Left: Amazone in

Brazilian Cherry

from Kronotex

USA. Below:

Georgetown in

Canadian Maple

Planks and

Bellevue Tiles in

warm white both

from Mohawk.

nalfa.com ❚ 37

Entryways

You only get one chance to make a first impression! What’s the composition of this room to

be? Do you want to create height, depth or spaciousness? Accent architectural details? Do you

want drama? Now that you know the basics, let’s start with entrances and hallways. Here you

make a warm first impression as people enter your home, and a lasting one as they leave. >>

Right: Mohawk

Jasmine

Bamboo

Laminate.

Below:

Architectural

Remnants

in Antique

Structure/

Historic Element

in Milk Paint

White from

Armstrong

Laminate

Spalted Maple

from the

Revolutions

Plank Collection

by Mannington.

Traditional Clicette Collection, Carolina Acacia Blonde

from Columbia


Kitchens

No matter what you do, it seems that everyone sooner or later winds up in the kitchen. Warm. Active. Vibrant.

It’s more the heart of your home than the crossroads. For that reason, and maybe because it is where so much

nurturing goes on, that we invest ourselves and our creative spirit here.

Like many things that go into your favorite recipes, laminate provides a world of ingredients that make this

home YOUR home. Let laminate cook up your favorite look! >>

Above: Elmhurst in Alabaster from Mannington.

Right: Barrington in Nutmeg Chestnut from Mohawk

Manhattan

Hickory Plank

from TorlysArchitectural Remnants Global Reclaim Worldly Hue from

Armstrong Laminate


nalfa.com ❚ 39

Durability and Coloration

Most of us in the design industry are impressed with the hassle-free main-

tenance of laminate flooring. Heavy traffic? No problem. Too much sun?

Laminate flooring is fade resistant and will rarely discolor. Family and

pets running in and out? Bring it on. Laminate is scratch and moisture

resistant and unbelievably easy to care for. It is never necessary to wax,

polish, seal or sand in order to maintain its longevity and beauty. It is

absolutely durable.

Laminate faux wood flooring is very popular, comes in endless col-

ors, and is absolutely gorgeous. It is giving real wood flooring a run for

its money. Concerned about termites? Guess what, termites do not find

laminate flooring tasty. And because laminate flooring is so durable, you

may enjoy your floor for years and years.

A Fashion Option

Laminate flooring is definitely a market expansion that is serving fami-

lies in new ways. I hope you consider laminate flooring for your next

design project!

I’ll be honest, I didn’t always think of laminate flooring as a fashion-

able option when designing my favorite rooms, but it’s come a long way!

Laminate flooring is one of the hottest flooring trends right now. It is

designed with fashion in mind, it offers comfort and luxury, and it’s not

going to break your budget.

The choices of designs, styles and textures of laminate are very

generous. These choices offer options to design a room that fits your

personality and budget, and all with a luxury look. ❚

TIP! Invest in the purchase of 10 percent in additional laminate, so that if in the future you need to replace, you’ll already have the extra laminate!

TIP! Choose beautiful area rugs to bring added softness and fashion flare into your home.

Kathy Ireland is CEO and chief designer of kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®),

a design and marketing firm.

Forbes Magazine describes kiWW® as a “2 billion dollar business model.”

License Global Magazine names kiWW® the 31st most powerfully licensed

brand, globally. kiWW® offers designs in fashion, weddings, home, flooring, office and more...

Kathy Ireland — Designing with Laminate Flooring

KATHY IRELAND



Gathering Spaces and Living Areas

Where is it written that family gathering spaces and living rooms have to be carpet or wood?

For more than two decades, laminate flooring has been a popular flooring choice for many reasons… dura-

bility, certainly, plus self-confidence — and let’s not forget design-ability.

Today’s laminate flooring options combined with one’s personal style mean no two floor décors are alike.

Design for the way you live! The result has to be not only personal, but unique. >>

Grand Illusions in Cabrueva from Armstrong

Quick-Step, Reclaimé Collection, Old Town Oak Planks Urban Distressed Metal from Pergo

nalfa.com ❚ 41

Lexington Café Walnut Plank from Torlys Jasmine in Natural Amendoim from Mohawk

Ledyard Applewood from the American Concepts Stone Harbor Collection by Kronotex USA


High traffic, high heels, pets, work boots and

dropped china are no match for a quality lami-

nate floor. The ultra-durability comes from the finish

and the way laminate flooring is made.

Looks and Texture

Sophisticated technology allows Bruce to create vir-

tually any type of look for your floor. While wood,

stone and tile are standard, the newest laminate

floors offer exciting visuals in expensive or hard-to-

get materials like reclaimed wood, exotic wood, aged

metals, precast cement and custom hardwood looks.

Advanced embossing techniques add textures to the

surface of laminate flooring, to make it look and feel

more realistic.

Easy Care

Laminate is one of the easiest floors to clean and main-

tain. Unlike hardwood or stone, it doesn’t require

special care. That’s one of the reasons busy homeown-

ers like laminate — it suits their lifestyle. Just vacuum,

mop and go.

Everything You Want

With laminate, you get stylish designs, easy mainte-

nance and excellent wear and stain resistance. It’s

the flooring that gives you everything you want at an

affordable price.

Installation

Laminate floors are easy to install — even if you’re

a beginner DIYer. All you need are basic handyman

skills and DIY tools like a carpenter’s square, tapping

block and pull bar.

Laminate planks are made with tongue-and-

groove edges that snap together using patented

Lock&Fold® Installation Technology. Lock&Fold is

the fastest and easiest installation system available.

Perfect for DIY installations, it requires no glue or

nails — simply lock and fold. For more information,

visit www.bruce.com. ❚

LAMINATE FLOORING ROOM BY ROOM | B R U C E L A M I N A T E

Enhance Rooms with the Look of Luxurious Hardwoods, Stones or Tiles for Less Money with Bruce Laminate Flooring“Come on in. Make yourself at home” might be the tagline for Bruce® Laminate Flooring. It’s a comfortable floor that’s designed to stand up to the demands of a busy family.

Bruce Reserve Premium in Rough Cut Khaki

nalfa.com ❚ 43

Above left: Bruce Achitectural Salvage Ship Sand Distressed Natural. above right:Chelsea Park in Mineral Forest from

Bruce Laminate

www.bruce.com

Maple Select from the Reserve Collection by Bruce Laminate



Veresque in Cargo Oak from Quick-StepWilmington in Sumner Hickory from Kronotex USA

New England Long Plank in Boston Tea from Armstrong

Laminate

Adirondack in Dusty Canyon from Mannington

Dining Areas

Both fashionable and functional, laminate flooring is perfect for any dining area or eat-in kitchen. Whether they’re

used for everyday family meals, formal dining or special occasions, dining areas get a tremendous amount of traf-

fic. Laminate flooring offers a vast array of styles, formal or informal, to suit your taste. A good thing to remember

is that dining chairs are moved frequently and chair feet can damage or scratch your floor. Use protectors on the

feet of your chairs, or add a little more elegance by adding an area run under your table.

nalfa.com ❚ 45

Bedrooms and Nurseries

Dream A Little Dream… Install a laminate floor in the bedroom? Of course! From the mas-

ter suite to the nursery, many homeowners are choosing laminate for the bedroom because

they’re looking for an alternative to carpet or because they prefer the look of hardwood or

ceramic tile for a fraction of the price. In addition, it’s an excellent flooring option if you

have kids and pets. >>

Yorkshire Walnut from the Exotics Collection from Armstrong

Laminate

Quick-Step Eligna Collection White Brushed Pine planksSawmill Hickory Natural from Mannington

Jasmine in Wild Sable Mesquite from Mohawk


LAMINATE FLOORING ROOM BY ROOM | FLOORING AMERICA

An Out-of-the-Box Solution for Choosing High-Fashion Laminate Flooring

From traditional classics and rustic, hand-scraped

wood looks to gorgeous natural stone designs,

laminate floors are pleasing a variety of audiences

from style-conscious urban dwellers to kid-friendly,

pet-friendly families. But with so many styles and

brands available, how do you choose the floor that’s

right for you? Flooring America offers a solution for

smarter decision-making that’s truly out of the box.

While you’ll find a few laminate choices lined up in

boxes on the shelves of most home centers, the locally

owned, independent retailers of Flooring America

have taken a more shopper-friendly approach. Its

newest laminate selling system displays larger, easily

viewed samples. With a wide variety of styles, looks

and finishes from best-selling major brands and exclu-

sive collections, shoppers find it easier — and more fun

— to explore selections for their new room. Compar-

isons and product information are also conveniently

accessible. Options from Good-Better-Best and ease-

of-care benefits to Flooring America’s industry-leading

warranties and affordable pricing information are also

easily viewable. This allows everyone from the most

discerning interior designer to the first-time home-

Laminate floors have come a long way. Growing in popularity due to their tremendous fashion-forward styling with ease of care, these floors feature some of the most stunning visuals available today.

buyer to make smarter choices based on household,

lifestyle and budget requirements.

As with the evolving technology that has dra-

matically improved the look, wear and durability

of laminate floors, Flooring America is also using

technology to create a more enjoyable shopping expe-

rience with its new My Floor Guide in-store app. With

a tap on an iPad, the sales associate can provide real-

time pricing options and estimates, as well as visuals

for project inspiration and more.

Of course, while some do-it-yourselfers will

choose laminate floors due to the promise of ease of

installation, Flooring America’s expert installers make

installation even easier — and guarantee the results

and customer satisfaction.

With its wide selection, consumer-friendly approach

and out-of-the-box shopping solutions for laminate as

well as other floors, Flooring America is proving that

it’s working harder to become the most recommended

flooring stores in North America. As evidenced by the

thousands of positive customer reviews it’s received,

Flooring America is Where Friends Send Friends™. ❚

nalfa.com ❚ 47

Finally, the solution to the age-old question:

How do I choose the laminate floor that’s right for me?

1-800-4-FLOORS I www.flooringamerica.com

When it comes to laminate, choices today are plentiful. So we’ve made decision-making easier. Our consumer-friendly shopping solutions allow you to easily navigate choices by comparing:

We’re working harder to become the most recommended flooring store. And that’s why our locally owned retail locations are always the best choice for all your flooring needs.

• Good,Better,BestOptions• VarietyofNaturalWoodandStoneLooks• DurabilityandLow-CareBenefits• Stain-ResistantandScratch-ResistantFeatures• Industry-LeadingWarrantiesandMore



Playrooms

Bring on the kids! Laminate flooring is up to the challenge. It can withstand whatever your

little ones have up their sleeves. It’s also easy to clean — so paint, markers and crayons have

met their match.

Laminate

flooring is ideal

for childrens’

play areas

Above: Kincade in Honey Blonde from Mohawk. At right: Burlwood from the Revolutions Collection by Mannington

nalfa.com ❚ 49

BEAUTIFUL HOME INTERIORS BEGIN WITH FABULOUS FLOORS

FABULOUS FLOORS Magazine goes far beyond pretty pictures and product descriptions.

Our readers — mostly women — want home fashion and decorating ideas,

ideas and answers found only in the pages FABULOUS FLOORS Magazine.

FABULOUS FLOORS magazine is sold at newsstands, bookstores, retail chain stores and

selected specialty outlets in North America. Check out our regular special promotions at Barnes

& Noble, Books-A-Million, Hastings and other specialty chain outlets and design centers

WE’VE GONE DIGITAL!

FABULOUS FLOORS MAGAZINE is now available in digital format for your tablets

and mobile devices. More than a page-turn PDF, Fabulous Floors Digital editions at

MAGZTER.COM give the reader an interactive experience. Or get your copy at ISSUU.COM.

We hope you enjoy “Living on Laminate” It’s everything you want to know

about Laminate Flooring — and more!

Special Publications Coming in 2015Design and Resource Guide for Resilient Flooring • Come Home to Carpet

f loors™

FABULOUS

www.fabulousfloorsmag.com • Subscribe Online


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G R O O M B Y R O O M | T O R L Y S

Smart Laminate

TORLYS Smart Laminates are stunning floors for any

space. Beautifully designed in wood looks that are

virtually indistinguishable from hardwood, these lami-

nate floors provide the utmost in flexibility — creating

a statement for any room in your home and designed

for easy living. TORLYS smart laminate flooring cre-

ate stunning floors with exceptionally hard-wearing

surfaces — laminate floors that are easy to care for

and will look amazing for decades.

Created to Fit Your Life

TORLYS offers seven distinctive laminate flooring col-

lections, each created to fit your design taste, lifestyle

and budget. All on trend in the latest species, colors

and dimensions.

Why Smart Laminate? Performance!

• A transparent overlay of extremely wear-resistant

melamine resin and aluminum oxide that is war-

ranted for up to 35 years.

• Patented Uniclic® Joint resists ugly gapping. No

other joint outperforms TORLYS Uniclic® Joint.

• TORLYS Smart Core is ultra dense and engineered

to be extremely dent resistant.

• Move It and Re-use It — every TORLYS laminate

floor can be disassembled and re-used in another

room or home.

• Scratch-resistant finish

• Real wood-like textures featuring natural designs

• TORLYS Smart Core

• Backing provides a moisture barrier and added

stability

Starts Beautiful, Stays Beautiful

The result is a beautiful laminate floor created with

minimal environmental impact. TORLYS Smart Lam-

inate floors are easy to install and maintain, and

designed for long-lasting beauty.

Protection

BulldogTM Easy Plank Replacer — A Laminate Floor’s

Best Friend. TORLYS BulldogTM Easy Plank Replacer

allows you to:

• Replace a damaged plank, not your entire floor —

just ask your TORLYS retailer to replace damaged

or dented planks with the TORLYS BulldogTM Easy

Plank Replacer. No glue. No nails. No staining.

• Fix major mishaps quickly and easily.

• Renew your floor without sanding or refinishing.

• Contact your TORLYS retailer for details.

• Minor Fix-Ups — TORLYS offers touch-up kits for

minor scratches on your laminate floor. ❚

TORLYS Smart Laminate Designed for Easy Living… Peace of Mind Assured.

DISCOVER THE RIGHT CHOICEYou will not only find a great laminate floor, you will also discover why it can be the right choice. Our laminate floors are backed by the TORLYS Peace of Mind Assurance Program. For today and tomorrow.

For more information please visit www.TORLYS.com

nalfa.com ❚ 51

Designer tastes. Real-life strength.TORLYS offers you exceptionally beautiful and durable laminate flooring in the latest styles and designer colours. TORLYS scours the world for on-trend styles and then marries the look with cutting-edge technology for superior performance – an ultra-dense smart core, smart finish and Uniclic® joint technology. TORLYS is the only Canadian company certified by the North American Laminate Flooring Association – your one-and-only choice for laminate flooring.

torlys.com

A Laminate Collection from the Only Canadian Member of NALFA

Imagine the possibilities.Believe in the durability.


Today’s laminate flooring offers great durability

— an attribute that is especially important for

homeowners who don’t have a lot of time to spend

on maintenance. Honestly, who wouldn’t love a floor

that can stand up to everything a busy household can

dish out, yet look as good as new, year after year?

So if almost all laminate floors have inherent

durability and performance, what’s the differentia-

tor? Style, of course! And when it comes to style, no

laminate collection has as many beautiful options as

Mannington’s Restoration Collection. The Restora-

tion Collection marries the beauty of yesterday with

the technology of today for unique and ultra-realistic

looks not found anywhere else.

Mannington’s in-house design team creates

unique, detailed wood looks and colorations that

perfectly coordinate with today’s home fashion

trends, including popular colors of furniture and

cabinetry. The variety of styles and colors in the Res-

toration Collection offers something for everyone.

For example:

L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G R O O M B Y R O O M | M A N N I N G T O N

Right: Restoration

Collection Black

Forest Fumed

from Mannington

Far Right:

Restoration

Collection

Riverside in

Natural from

Mannington

The Unique Beauty of Mannington Laminate Flooring

French Oak is a subtle and elegant twist on a

European oak floor, right down to its wide plank

hardwood format.

Riverside is also a wide plank and has a natural,

organic look that features a new finish designed to

emulate the look and feel of a hand-oiled floor.

Chateau has a weathered antique maple look, which

is enhanced by a contemporary, high-clarity visual

with a smooth surface.

Sawmill Hickory has a subtle hand-scraped texture

and authentic character and color.

Each Restoration pattern is 12mm thick, for a

solid sound and feel underfoot, and all are Made in

the USA at Mannington’s High Point, NC, manufac-

turing facility. Learn more at www.Mannington.com,

or find inspiration on our Pinterest boards http://pin-

terest.com/manningtonfloor. ❚

www.mannington.com

nalfa.com ❚ 53

Left: Restoration

Collection

French Oak in

Nutmeg

Below:

Restoration

Collection

Sawmill Hickory

in Gunstock


P R E M I U M M A T E R I A L S

Laminate flooring continues to push the limits in quality and design. Laminate flooring is

available at many price points. When purchasing a laminate floor, remember that quality

and price go hand in hand. With so many options in the market, it’s good to know the brands

you can count on for a beautiful, premium laminate floor.

But what about what lies beneath your beautiful laminate floor? Quality underlayments

and other premium materials are designed to protect your flooring investment and keep your

floor looking good for years to come, just like the day it was installed.

Many laminate flooring and premium underlayment products have undergone rigorous

testing to earn the NALFA Certification Seal.

Underlayments provide the following features that keep working hard, long after the

floor has been installed.

❚ Sound Absorption Reduces noise levels within and below a room. Helps eliminate hollow

sounds and noisy floors.

❚ Moisture Protection Full moisture barrier with extra-thick pad protects floors from

moisture and vapor damage. May be installed over all types of sub-flooring and concrete.

❚ Lasting Support Protects the structural stability of your floor and prevents it from

sagging and buckling.

❚ Mold and Mildew Resistant Closed-cell technology and vapor barrier prevent the

growth of mold and mildew.

Make sure you ask your flooring retailer about premium materials and underlayments, or

manufacturer’s recommended premium materials for your laminate purchase. ❚

The Brawn Beneath The Beauty

nalfa.com ❚ 55

.


P R E M I U M M A T E R I A L S | M P G L O B A L

Radiant floor heating installed under a laminate floor is a great way to add coziness and

comfort to rooms in your home. Radiant floor heating can be used as either primary

heat or as supplementary heat. Distributing even, gentle warmth, radiant heat is dust, aller-

gen and draft-free. It is also decorator-friendly — it does not call for any air registers or wall

or baseboard radiators which could interfere with placement of furniture, window treat-

ments or doorways.

All radiant heating systems transfer heat in the same manner, from warmer to cooler

objects. Radiant heat is a great “perk” in a playroom, kitchen, den, children’s bedroom, sun-

room or any other space in a home where toddlers and young kids play on the floor. It is

also a wonderful amenity under hard-surface floors, which can be very cool under bare feet.

There are two types of radiant heat systems used in homes — hydronic, which is water

based and has many components, and electric, which has fewer components and is easier

to install.

With hydronic radiant heat, water is heated by a boiler and pumped through plastic or

composite tubing installed under the finished floor. This is a popular choice in homes where

hydronic heating is used to heat the entire house.

Radiant heat

nalfa.com ❚ 57

Electric radiant heat uses three components — the heating panels

(a film or a mat containing the heating elements), a floor sensor that is

generally installed in the floor, and a GFCI thermostat installed on the

wall that enables easy individual room control. It is a popular option

choice for supplemental heat for retrofits, new additions, or rooms at

the end of heating zones which are often just a bit too chilly even with

the thermostat turned up. Both low voltage and line voltage systems

are available.

Manufacturers offer a variety of electric radiant heating products

for installation under new hard surface flooring. One popular type fea-

tures radiant heat elements embedded in underlayment that incorporates

sound control and other attributes. Another type is radiant heat film that

(typically) installs between underlayment and the finished floor.

For example, MP Global Products’ Perfectly Warm™ Radiant Heat

Film for Floating Floor is designed specifically to generate gentle heat

under laminate and other floating floor materials, including laminate

and engineered wood. The roll-out line voltage system, which uses an

ultra-efficient wireless filament configuration, features gradual, evenly

consistent supplemental warmth from low wattage resistance heating of

ultra-thin, flexible radiant heat film. Perfectly Warm™ Radiant Heat Film

for Floating Floor uses just 6 watts per square foot and conforms to war-

ranty requirements of many floating floors.

Sporting an ultra-thin design (just .016" thick) and zero carbon foot-

print, Perfectly Warm™ Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floor is also

perfect for floating tile systems such as SnapStone, Avaire and Eclipse

brands. It is available in four convenient rollout pad sizes that will accom-

modate almost any layout. Each mat has wires pre-attached for ease of

installation, with only the final connection to the electronic program-

mable thermostat required to be done by a licensed electrician. Perfectly

Warm™ Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floor can be installed over Quiet-

Walk fiber acoustic underlayment for optimized performance of your new

laminate floor. (www.quietwalk.com, 888-WARM PAD) ❚

There are two types of radiant heat systems used in homes — hydronic, which is water based and has many components, and electric, which has fewer components and is easier to install.

Perfectly Warm™ Radiant Heat Film

for Floating Floors is ideally suited for

floating flooring materials like laminiate,

engineered wood, hardwoods, Luxury

Vinyl Flooring and floating tile. Perfectly

Warm™ Radiant Heat Film for Floating

Floors will save you time and money

while easily enhancing the floating

floor products you choose to combine

function and practical beauty in any

living space in your home.

MP Global ProductsNorfolk, NE 68702 (888) 379-9695www.mpglobalproducts.com


Laminate floors replicate the appealing and distinctive aesthetics of real wood, slate,

weathered stone or metal at reduced cost and with quicker installation and less mainte-

nance. But beauty, alone, is not the whole story. For best performance of your new laminate

floor, make sure your installation includes quality underlayment.

Underlayment can go a long way to boosting the performance of the finished floor.

Installed between the wood or concrete subfloor and the laminate or engineered wood planks,

underlayment smoothes out little imperfections on the subfloor so the flooring planks lie flat.

Underlayment also makes walking on the floor more comfortable and reduces leg fatigue.

Most important, if designed to address acoustics, it can reduce the sounds of impact noise

within the room and the transmission of voices, TV, stereo and radio to the room below.

Any underlayment you select should be at least one millimeter thick and have compres-

sion resistance firm enough to support your new floor.

Because laminate is a floating floor (not nailed down or glued down to the subfloor),

underlayment can eliminate the click-click-click of footsteps that would otherwise occur in

the void between the laminate flooring and the subfloor. The padding fills the

space and absorbs the sound, enabling the floor, when walked upon, to sound

more like real wood.

Underlayment can also contribute to the overall R-value (insulating

value) of the flooring installation and help keep the room warmer in

cold weather and cooler in warm weather.

Depending upon where it is used, underlayment should

carry a water vapor transmission rating that matches

NALFA recommendations. The vapor barrier provides

protection against moisture migrating up from the

subfloor to the laminate.

Green-minded homeowners will appreciate

that there are a number of underlayments on the

market made from recycled materials and/or made

without any VOCs. When installing eco-friendly floor-

P R E M I U M M A T E R I A L S | M P G L O B A L

Underlayment for Laminate and Engineered Wood Flooring

nalfa.com ❚ 59

ing materials, look for third-party certification that substantiates

“green” claims.

For example, QuietWalk® from MP Global Products is a patented

premium rollout acoustic underlayment, designed especially for instal-

lation under laminate flooring, that is certified made from 94 percent

pre-consumer recycled textile content. It has just the right compression

resistance to optimize performance of your new laminate floor — firm

enough to support the floor yet flexible enough to smooth out little sub-

floor imperfections.

QuietWalk quiets impact noise and footfall, dampens ambient sound in

the room in which it is installed, and inhibits voices, TV and other airborne

sounds from traveling to the room below. Plus, it is engineered to eliminate

clicking noise and make laminate floors sound more like real wood.

The underlayment also offers superior moisture protection and con-

trol, with a 3 mil vapor barrier that protects the laminate from moisture

coming up from below.

Other features include a generous insulating R-value of 0.5 and an

extremely environmentally friendly, odorless, VOC-free and hypoaller-

genic composition that will help maintain a healthy indoor environment.

www.quietwalk.com, 888-379-9695 ❚

MP Global’s revolutionary QuietWalk® laminate floor underlayment smoothes

out little subfloor imperfections while quieting impact sound and floor-to-ceiling

noise. Not only does it dampen ambient sound in the room it is installed in,

it also inhibits sound from traveling to the room below. The recycled fibers

that compromise QuietWalk® are randomly air laid, which offers the best cost-

effective foundation and premium sound control for laminate floating flooring in

the marketplace today

Installed between the wood or concrete subfloor and the laminate or engineered wood planks, underlayment smoothes out little imperfections on the subfloor so the flooring planks lie flat.

MP Global ProductsNorfolk, NE 68702 For more information, call (888) 379-9695.www.mpglobalproducts.com


P R E M I U M M A T E R I A L S | P A K - L I T E & S E L I T

Laminate Flooring — Underlayment Not Optional

Aquality underlayment provides cushioning under foot, joint stability, some leveling charac-

teristics and minor sub-floor imperfection corrections.

The major benefits of an acoustic grade underlayment is sound control in the room; as well

as sound abatement to lower rooms when needed.

But the most important benefit of a quality laminate flooring underlayment is providing

water vapor protection. It will act as an essential protective barrier between the cement subfloor

and your laminate floor. A laminate floor exposed to excessive water vapor molecules over time

can cause your floor to swell. This could cause buckling or warping. Buckling or warping are

almost always a result of moisture and/or water vapor damage.

When installing laminate floor-

ing over a concrete subfloor you need

to read the manufacturers installa-

tion instructions very carefully. Those

instructions will “call out” the maxi-

mum allowable moisture content of

the slab. Most often it is indicated

by pounds of moisture in the slab.

Pounds of moisture in the slab can

be measured using a calcium chloride

test kit. The manufacturer may even

specify that an RH reading be con-

ducted using a probe that measures

the relative humidity in the slab. A

good quality underlayment equals or

Laminate Flooring Underlayments from Pak-Lite

PLI is a Georgia, USA based manufacturer of custom designed and engineered products. The company was originally founded in 1972 as a custom packaging provider. Today we supply a variety of industries including flooring, automotive, sound and industrial customers with an emphasis on custom engineered OEM parts and private label hard surface underlayment programs.

Installing interlocking Floor Comfort® underlayment

nalfa.com ❚ 61

exceeds the protection offered by a 6 mm moisture

barrier, which is the industry standard in protection.

PLI supplies the major OEMs and Big Box com-

panies with a full range of underlayments to provide

a program to cover all levels of performance and all

price points.

PLI underlayment’s are third party certified by

NALFA and recommended for all laminate flooring

installations. ❚

The SELIT Group

The SELIT Group has been Europe’s largest

manufacturer of interior insulating materi-

als for more than 30 years. Our primary focus

is the production of insulating underlayment

for laminate flooring (both loose-laid and

pre-attached).

SELIT has worked closely with the North

American laminate producers to develop tailor-

made products to meet specific manufacturing

needs and the needs of their retail customers.

Material specifications of SELITAC foam:

❚ Available in thicknesses from 0.6 mm to 5 mm

❚ Different colors and imprints possible

❚ Outstanding acoustical properties

❚ High-compression strength with less creep

(important for the protection of click-systems)

❚ Self-leveling of uneven subsurface

❚ Resistant to humidity and aging

❚ A “Green Product”(100% recyclable)

❚ Meets NALFA-certified underlayment

requirements

❚ Excellent price/quality ratio

www.selit.com

www.pliusa.com 800-449-9460

SolidBlack acoustical underlayment from Pak-Lite is the

most technologically advanced flooring underlayment

available. SolidBlack is acoustically superior to most

underlayments and offers great protection from moisture,

mildew mold. Condo, Townhome and Homeowners

Association Approved.


N A L F A C E R T I F I E D P R O D U C T S

The Importance of Certification

BILL DEARING,

NALFA PRESIDENT

According to a Federal Reserve survey released in January, a recovering housing market

partially helped boost the U.S. economy from the middle of November through early

this year. The Fed said 12 of its regional banking districts reported “modest or moderate”

growth in the final weeks of 2012.

Home sales increased in nine districts, and home building expanded in all but one. The

number of building permit applications issued in November rose to a four-year high. This is

all good news for those in the housing industry. From builders and developers to installers

and inspectors, more work is sure to come down the pike in 2015 and beyond. The industry

is poised to play the role of job creator, thus boosting the national economy.

Many in this industry have spent the last few years barely getting by, so now that the mar-

ket is picking back up, the jobs are going to go fast. Those with the proper certifications will

be chosen first. Don’t get left out. You can’t afford to NOT be certified.

The laminate industry specifically has also seen promising growth. The momentum for

American-made products is continuing. Laminate manufacturers also are increasingly invest-

ing in new technologies such as digital printing — another sign that the industry is confident

in its future.

When looking to expand your workforce to keep up with increasing demand, you want

to be sure that you are maintaining quality and your clients will be kept happy. Hiring certi-

fied installers will help ensure quality control.

According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, overall

there are currently more than 53,000 active certified technicians, many with multiple certifi-

cations, plus more than 6,000 Certified Firms.

NALFA, the only trade association dedicated solely to laminate flooring and the author-

ity in North America, holds four Advanced Installer Certification classes and four Inspector

Certification classes yearly. Major manufacturers such as Columbia Flooring, Kronotex,

Mannington Mills, Mohawk, Pergo, Quick-Step, Shaw, and TORLYS are among its members.

Can you afford not to be certified? You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to do

business, and if you’ve invested in yourself and gone through proper trainings, you have

made yourself more marketable. Being certified opens up new doors for your career, pro-

vides other ways to increase your income, and can lead to other beneficial relationships

within the industry.

nalfa.com ❚ 63

When you’re in these courses, you learn not only

from a knowledgeable teacher, but also from each

other, building a network of fellow craftsmen. You can

profit from networking with some of the best flooring

installers and inspectors in the industry.

NALFA offers two certifications, one for installers

and one for inspectors. If you decide to get certi-

fied through NALFA, you may enjoy benefits such as

increased business exposure by having your name

and business listed as a Certified Laminate Floor-

ing Installer or Inspector on the NALFA website and

increased credibility and income potential as a Certi-

fied Laminate Flooring Installer or Inspector.

As in any industry, there are constant updates and

changes. An easy way to stay current is through cer-

tification classes offered through organizations like

NALFA. You will also benefit from direct and priv-

ileged access to the technical support services of

NALFA members and regular updates of all technical

innovations in the laminate flooring world.

For more information about certification options

and details, you can visit nalfa.com.❚

NALFA offers two certifications, one for installers and one for inspectors.

The Value of the Seal —

What Does NALFA

Certif ication Mean to You?

As an educated consumer, you’re reading this

because quality and added value are important.

That’s why it makes sense to only purchase

laminate flooring that bears the NALFA Certi-

fication Seal.

Certified Means Tested. All laminate floors

are not created equal. How do you know

what makes the cut? NALFA certified floor-

ing has passed 10 rigorous performance tests

that include everything from how well it resists

water, light and stains to whether it can be dam-

aged when a large object is dropped or a castor

chair comes in contact with the floor.

Certified Means Proven. NALFA uses indepen-

dent, third-party testing laboratories to ensure

that NALFA-certified laminate floors meet

demanding performance standards.

Certified Means Satisfied. The NALFA certifica-

tion seal means you are investing in high-quality

flooring and will have the peace of mind to

know you’ll enjoy it for years to come.


N A L F A C E R T I F I E D P R O D U C T S

It’s no secret that laminate flooring is inherently

green. It’s been touted for years, but what is so envi-

ronmentally friendly about laminate? Well, just about

everything. Laminate is a fascinating product because it

is environmentally friendly from start to finish — from

its composition to installation

to maintenance. It’s a quality,

durable product that is easy on

your conscience. Here’s why.

Laminate is made

from a high-recycled

content core that is

rapidly renewable.

The core material in laminate

flooring is comprised of fast-

growth and/or in many cases

recycled wood material. The

materials comprise upwards of

70 percent recycled materials, including pre-consumer

(post-industrial) wood waste. Reusing this waste keeps

it out of the landfill or from being burned and affect-

ing air quality. And some NALFA members also use

excess material as a heat or power source, thereby fur-

ther reducing the environmental impact.

Laminate is bio-based and recyclable

As outlined above, the majority of the composition

of laminate is wood fiber, a renewable and bio-based

raw material. Unlike other flooring types which rely

primarily on petro chemicals, laminate uses an almost

infinitely renewable resource. Add to this the fact that

when you replace a laminate floor, it can be recycled

Inherently Green!with other wood fiber-based products. Some manufac-

turers and consumers actually recycle laminate when

they move homes by taking their floor with them!

This is impossible with no other flooring type!

No rare or exotic

species are used in

production.

Laminate simply creates the

look of a natural resource —

such as wood or stone — as

opposed to actually using it.

Our members use state-of

-the-art graphics to reproduce

a wide range of looks from

exotic woods to rare or extinct

species, to more common types

like maple. Laminate flooring’s

appearance is actually a high-

definition photograph, so it can provide the desired

look without the sacrifice of a natural resource.

Laminate design is often created

with water-based, low-VOC ink.

Many of our manufacturing members use water-based,

low-VOC inks in the design of the laminate product.

These inks are safer for consumers and the environment.

No harmful glues are used for

installing laminate floors.

The locking systems used for installing laminate

flooring eliminate the introduction of VOCs from

installation glues and adhesives.

nalfa.com ❚ 65

Responsible packaging

Many of our manufacturing members use recycled

materials for the packaging of their laminate products.

No harsh chemicals are needed for

cleaning and maintaining laminate floors.

No harsh chemicals are needed for cleaning lami-

nate floors. Sweeping and light mopping will keep

the floors looking great. Also, the floors will not

need to be refinished, therefore reducing the VOCs

in finishes.

Laminate floors are long lasting, which

reduces the need for replacement.

Laminate floors are durable, and with the easy locking

system can be removed and reused in another part of

the home or even donated to your favorite charity. In

fact, several of our manufacturing members encour-

age residential re-use of their products.

Green Association recognition.

NALFA member products are recognized by many

Green associations such as FloorScore and Green-

Guard, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management

System, PEFC and Green Swan.

All NALFA Certified products are

CARB 2 compliant.

NALFA production meets requirements set forth by the

California Air Resources Board (CARB). And because it

is made of recycled components, laminate helps home

and business owners meet Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design (LEED) standards. ❚

Go Green with NALFA

Certif ied Flooring!

• Our Secret: When we say there is not a sin-

gle tree used for visual, we mean it. None. All

NALFA members use state-of-the-art graphics

to reproduce a wide range of looks from exotic

wood to maple and beech.

• Recyclable: In addition to using core mate-

rial comprised of fast-growth or recyclable

wood material, some NALFA members also

use excess material as a heat or power source,

thereby reducing environmental impact even

more.

• Green Association recognition: In addition

to Floorscore and GreenGuard, some of our

membership is also recognized by ISO 1400

for Environmental Management System, PEFC

and Green Swan.

• NALFA Certified laminate floors are engi-

neered to be long lasting. In fact, several

NALFA members encourage residential re-use

of their products. No other flooring surface

makes that environmental assistance offer.

• We back up what we say. Check out our web-

site nalfa.com and review our ANSI/NALFA

Standard LF012008. Our Environmental Stan-

dard is very much a part.

• Finally, all NALFA Certified products are

CARB 2 compliant.

In a related subject, NALFA Certified lami-

nate floors are very much involved in indoor

air quality. No glues are required, and there are

low VOC measurements. ❚


I N S T A L L A T I O N A N D M A I N T E N A N C E

Since laminate flooring is usually designed as a

floating floor system, when should it be glued to the

floor? What should installers know about working

with laminate flooring adhesives? (Is it similar

to installing engineered hardwood, or are there

important differences?)

Laminate should only be glued down when it is

installed on stairs or small landings. There are no

laminate adhesives because the rest of the floors are

floating and not adhered to subfloors.

How important is floor flatness and subfloor

preparation for laminate flooring installation?

All laminate manufacturers have limitations as far

as subfloor flatness is concerned. If the subfloor is

not flat, having either high spots or low spots, then

the appropriate actions need to be taken to rectify

the situation. If it is a concrete substrate, then an

approved flooring patch should be used to flatten the

floor. If it is a wood substrate with high areas, then

sanding may be required to bring the floor within the

manufacturer›s required specifications.

Can laminate planks expand and contract similar

to hardwood? Is there any way to prevent this or

minimize the effects?

All laminate floors will expand and contract

as a result of changes in environment, such as

temperature or humidity. There really is no way to

prevent this. Expansion and contraction are simply

Installation Q & Acharacteristic of this type of floor. It is important

to keep this in mind during installation and allow

adequate expansion space.

What tools are required to install transitions

for laminate flooring?

The tools required to install transitions are a cord-

less drill or Phillips screwdriver, a hacksaw to cut

the track, and a saw to cut the transitions to length.

The track for the transitions should be fastened to

the floor with screws. If installing the tracks on a

concrete substrate, drilling and inserting anchors into

the concrete may be required.

Is there anything an installer should keep in mind when

working with laminate flooring transitions? Do different

types of transitions require different installation

techniques? (T-molding, threshholds, reducers, etc.)

Laminate transitions should not be glued to or

nailed through the laminate floor. They should be

installed with the accompanying track and inserted as

instructed on the carton. All transitions are installed

basically the same way, with the track that is provided.

One thing to keep in mind is that the proper expan-

sion is required under the transition. The floor cannot

be cut tight to the transition track, which is the same

as cutting the laminate floor tight to the wall. ❚

For more information about installation, go to:

http://nalfa.com/why-laminate/ease-of-installation/

nalfa.com ❚ 67

Job site evaluation — outdoorsRain water management

1. Direct water away from the foundation.

2. Gutter and downspouts in place, clean and

in good working condition

3. Spill guards at the bottom of downspouts

4. Lawn sprinklers direct water away from

foundation.

5. Check that shrubbery and landscaping

direct away from foundation.

6. Cracked or broken driveways — direct

away from foundation.

Crawlspace

1. Must be at least 18" from the ground to

the bottom of the joist

2. If vented, no dead air space. Must have

cross ventilation.

3. Ground covered with 6 mil poly

Job site evaluation — indoorsConcrete slab

1. Must be dry

2. Cover with 6 mil poly. (Use either a 2-in-1

product or separate foam and poly.)

3. Always remove organic material before

covering with poly.

Flatness for wood underfloor

1. Floor must be flat to within 3/16" in 10 feet.

Grind down high spots or fill low spots.

2. HVAC up and running. Stable

environment.

3. Check for moisture. Wood floor must be

less than 14%. Concrete under 5LB MVER

(moisture vapor emission rate).

Getting Ready to InstallHow much floor? Laminate calculatorAdd 10% to square feet for waste and mis-cuts,

15% if on a diagonal.

Installation tips• Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If tapping

block is required, use the one designed for that

floor. Some floors cannot be tapped.

• Cut laminate with a carbide tip saw blade.

• Examine each board carefully before installing.

• Use t-molding at all door openings less than 4 feet

• Check that the overall connected size of the

installation is acceptable. Maximum floor size

1200 square feet or 30' × 40'. Each manufacturer

is different.

• Check for special instructions in wet areas, baths,

laundry rooms, etc. — fill expansion space with

silicone. ❚


I N S T A L L A T I O N A N D M A I N T E N A N C E

❚ Use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they

happen. Never allow liquids to stand on your floor.

❚ For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lip-

stick, ink, or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover

on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a

damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.

❚ Sweep, dust or vacuum the floor regularly with the

hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to pre-

vent accumulation of dirt and grit that can scratch

or dull the floor finish.

How to Clean and Maintain Your Laminate Floor

❚ For optimum results, we recommend periodically

cleaning the floor with manufacturer’s cleaning

products made specifically for your brand of lami-

nate floor care.

❚ Do not wash or wet mop the floor with soap,

water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid clean-

ing material. This could cause swelling, warping,

delamination, and joint-line separation, plus void

the warranty.

Laminate flooring is naturally durable; learn how to take care of laminate flooring and keep it looking great while standing up to the toughest household conditions. Follow these routine maintenance guidelines to clean your laminate flooring.

nalfa.com ❚ 69

❚ Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong

ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.

❚ Do not use any type of buffing or polishing

machine on your laminate floors.

❚ For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum,

harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape

with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be care-

ful not to scratch the flooring surface.

❚ Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

❚ A more frequent dust-mopping or vacuuming

schedule may be required in very sandy areas such

as a beach home.

Protect your laminate flooring

to keep it looking like

new

❚ Entry mats will help col-

lect the dirt, sand, grit, and

other substances such as oil,

asphalt, or driveway sealer

that might otherwise be

tracked onto your floor.

❚ To prevent slippage of area

rugs, use an approved vinyl

rug underlayment.

❚ Use floor protectors and

wide-load bearing leg bases/

rollers to minimize the chance of indentations and

scratches from heavy objects. As a rule, the heavier

the object, the wider the floor protector.

Maintain a normal indoor relative

humidity level between 35% and 65%

throughout the year to minimize the

natural expansion and contraction of

the wood.

❚ Heating season (Dry): A humidifier is recom-

mended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low

humidity levels. Wood stove and electric heat tend

to create very dry conditions.

❚ Non-Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner,

dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heat-

ing will help to maintain humidity levels during

summer months.

❚ Avoid excessive exposure

to water during periods of

inclement weather.

❚ Keep your pets nails

trimmed to prevent them

from scratching your floor.

❚ Never try to slide heavy

objects across the floor.

❚ A protective mat should be

used for furniture or chairs

with casters. ❚


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G B U Y E R ’ S G U I D E

1. What makes laminate the flooring of choice for high-traffic

residential areas?

The great thing about laminate flooring is that it offers a wide range of styles that are not

only beautiful, but durable as well. The layered design of laminate makes it a long-lasting

choice for high-traffic areas of a home and its unique construction provides a host of benefits.

The sturdy, moisture-resistant backing allows laminate to be installed in almost any room

of a home, even in basements or bathrooms. The middle layer or core is made from high-

density, resin-infused fiberboard that provides strength and impact resistance. The image layer or

photo perfectly replicates just about any hard-surface floor (stone, wood, concrete or even artistic

designs), and makes a great complement to any decorating style. And the durable, slip-resistant,

top wear layer stands up to kids and pets and whatever else a busy household can dish out!

Laminate is generally more affordable than hardwood flooring, easier to install than tile

and durable enough to stand up to years of heavy foot traffic. These qualities have helped

make laminate a homeowner favorite for years. Plus, some laminates are warrantied for 25

years or more, guaranteeing they will last!

2. Is it suitable for commercial applications? Why?

Laminate flooring is resistant to dirt and liquids, making it a practical, durable and cost-

efficient option for commercial applications. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that

when exposed to sunlight on a daily basis there is little or no concern for fading or yellowing

over time, making it a great fit for public areas with plenty of windows. And did you know

that laminate also resists mold and bacteria, making for a more comfortable environment for

those with asthma and allergies?

When using laminate for commercial applications, I recommend reviewing the product’s

AC (abrasion class) Rating. This universal grading system rates laminate from one to five on

how durable it is and how much traffic it can be expected to withstand. Ratings of AC4 and

AC5 are considered commercial grade and, while higher in price, they tend to last longer and

have better warranties.

Fashion Meets Function

TANIYA NYACK

Laminate flooring is resistant to dirt and liquids, making it a practical, durable and cost-efficient option for commercial applications.

Taniya Nayak is a host and

interior designer on HGTV and

a featured designer on

Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible.

A native of India now Boston

based, Taniya is known for

designing many of New

England’s hottest restaurants

and lounges. You may also recognize her

from appearances on Good Morning America, The Talk and The Rachael

Ray Show.

nalfa.com ❚ 71

3. How does laminate stand up over

time to scratches and indentations

compared to other types of hard-

surface flooring?

Laminate flooring is a great choice for high-traffic

areas because it has a heavy-duty top layer saturated

with melamine resin that not only protects against

scratches, scuffs and dents, but will keep the flooring

from showing normal wear and tear longer than tra-

ditional wood flooring finishes.

Enhancing laminate’s indentation and chip resis-

tance is the super-strong core that withstands dents

better than most wood floors; it won’t crack like tile

if something heavy is dropped on it. But what most

people love about laminate is that it’s easy to care for

and never needs to be waxed, resealed or refinished to

stay looking great!

4. So, what’s the downside

to laminate flooring?

There aren’t many, and it depends on how you look at

it. One issue that some people consider with laminate

flooring is that, unlike hardwood, it can’t be refinished.

Once the top layer becomes worn or damaged, the floor

will need to be replaced. Given the strength and dura-

bility of laminate, it is unlikely to need replacement or

refinishing for many years. Should a couple of boards or

tiles become damaged during the life of the floor, these

can easily be cut out and replaced. So a tip I always give

my clients is to order an extra box of boards and store

them in case a replacement is ever needed.

And should you need to replace the entire floor,

the good news is that it tends to be rather affordable,

so it won’t break the bank when the times come to

replace it.

Like most everything in life, you get what you pay

for, so finding a quality laminate with a rating suitable

for the level of use expected will take you a long way

in loving your laminate floor!

5. What laminate characteristics

do you look for in high-demand

applications?

For high-demand applications I would advise my

clients to purchase a commercially rated laminate or

one with an AC Rating of 3 or higher from a repu-

table manufacturer that offers a solid warranty. Also,

look at the connection of the boards and how tightly

they snap together and how level they sit when con-

nected — a seamless, tight fit will last longer and

stay locked over time. The design of the floor can

also help mask minor wear and scratches in high-

demand applications. Some laminate manufacturers

use techniques similar to hand-scraping and brush-

ing of hardwood to add surface details and effects

that make the floor more realistic looking and for-

giving in high-traffic areas.

Last, it’s always a good idea to look for a third-party

endorsement or certification, such as NALFA-certified

laminate for added peace of mind.

And here’s a tip to avoid misjudging quality: The

thickness of the floor is not necessarily an indicator of

quality. It may seem like a 12mm laminate is the better

choice than an 8mm, but without quality construction

and the appropriate wear-layer rating, you’re just pay-

ing for more fiberboard. ❚

The great thing about laminate flooring is that it offers a wide range of styles that are not only beautiful, but durable as well.


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G B U Y E R ’ S G U I D E | K R O N O T E X

Because there is such a wide range of price points

to choose from within the laminate category, you

may think that all laminate is made the same way, and

that the higher price tag on some laminates is merely

to cover the brand name. We caution shoppers to

beware, and to realize that it is usually best to stick

with the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” This

doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, but don’t

fall for the lowest prices, either.

With laminate, price is much

more than an indicator of style or

innovation; it’s an indicator of how

and where a product is made. The

how and the where can have serious

implications for flooring that will be

installed in your home. Many retail-

ers sell unknown brands of laminate

flooring from unidentified manu-

facturers for less than half the price

of well-known, established brands.

These “generic” or unidentified ori-

gin floors are often imported from

foreign factories with lower quality control or safety

standards and less regulated manufacturing processes,

which means they can use cheaper or highly toxic

materials in their planks. These materials could lead

Why Should You Investigate the Lowest-Priced Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is one of the most economical flooring options available today, giving homeowners a beautiful wood look with amazing durability and virtually carefree maintenance.

to dangerous levels of indoor air pollution once the

flooring is installed in a home.

The best practice is to choose laminate flooring

manufactured in the United States. With a little bit

of research, you can purchase high-quality flooring at

a reasonable — but not rock-bottom — price. You

can find a list of products that have undergone rigor-

ous tests for quality by the North American Laminate

Flooring Association (NALFA) at

nalfa.com/find-a-product/nalfa-cer-

tified-products/. U.S. manufactured

product will provide the durability

you need as well as the fashion-

able designs, colors and finishes

you want. Plus, you will have access

to American customer service rep-

resentatives who can support you

throughout the buying and installa-

tion process.

Don’t let the temptation to save

a few dollars lead you to disappoint-

ment or compromise safety in your

home. When shopping for laminate flooring, choose a

U.S. manufacturer with a history of quality and value,

and you’ll make a smart investment that pays off for

years to come. ❚

www.kronotexusa.com 866-334-9923

nalfa.com ❚ 73

866-334-9923 I [email protected]©2014 KronotexUSA, LLC. All rights reserved.

• American made

• American style and quality

• American durability

• America’s healthier floor

• American sustainability

TM

Introducing somethingrevolutionary in laminate flooring.

Redecorating? Try a laminate floor that’s American

made and made for Americans. With the quality

and safety not always found in imports. And it’s a

healthier floor for your home and the planet. All at

a fair and reasonable price.

MG81_AmCon_ad_FF_m101714.indd 1 10/17/14 1:35 PM


L A M I N A T E F L O O R I N G B U Y E R ’ S G U I D E | FLOORING AMERICA

Ever since it burst onto the flooring scene in 1994,

laminate has taken the design world by storm and

proven to be a great choice for active families. It offers

the same appeal as the most beautiful, upscale hard-

surface floors without the high price tag and rigorous

maintenance requirements. This unbeatable combina-

tion makes laminate one of the most popular floors in

homes across the country.

Is laminate the right floor for you? See why we

love it and why it might be perfect for your home.

Choose Your Own

Decorating Adventure

Laminate is incredibly versatile. It’s available in planks

or tiles, featuring the look of authentic high-end wood

or gorgeous natural stone. Whether you want classic

elegance, vintage, hand-scraped rustic looks, or some-

thing sleek, glossy and contemporary, laminate has

you covered.

Here, There, Anywhere

Because of its exceptional durability, you can update

any space in your home with laminate. It’s resistance

to scratches, stains and wear and tear is perfect for

high-traffic areas like living rooms and entryways.

Laminate Flooring: Style, Performance, Maintenance and Price

Size Up Your Options

Consider how the type of laminate you choose will

impact your room. Wide planks have a classic look

and appeal, while narrow planks effectively make a

small room feel larger. Light finishes will brighten

dark rooms, while darker floors can make your space

feel more intimate.

Low-Maintenance From Day One

Laminate floors can be installed quickly and easily.

They can be placed on top of many existing floors

and don’t require adhesives — the planks or tiles just

snap right into place. Plus, its wear layer prevents

staining, and cleaning laminate can be as simple as

regular sweeping.

Shop With Confidence

From design advice and floor selection all the way

through installation, the team of experts at Flooring

America/Flooring Canada can help you every step of

the way. Plus, industry-leading warranties will give

you total confidence in your new laminate floor. ❚

1-800-4-FLOORS I www.flooringamerica.com

nalfa.com ❚ 75

Quality Flooring at Flooring America

Flooring America offers you an impressive selection of quality flooring to meet your practical and aesthetic

goals. We provide a spectrum of options for home flooring, featuring exclusive brands and styles that are suit-

able for every taste and budget.

Armstrong® Laminate Collection

Floorcraft™ Laminate Collection




Perfect for Weekend Warriors

One of the most attractive qualities of laminate floor-

ing is the ease of purchase and installation. Not only

are flooring sections smaller, designed to interlock,

and easier to work with, but laminate floors can also

be installed over most non-textile existing subfloors.

Moreover, the “floating floor” method of installation

means that no special glue or fasteners are needed,

saving considerable time and installation cost.

With advanced planning (i.e., reading the instal-

lation manual and watching our instructional videos),

the right tools and sufficient working time, your lami-

nate floor installation will go quickly and smoothly.

You CAN Do It Yourself


Effortless Installation

The introduction of glueless laminate floors revolu-

tionized ease of installation in the industry. In the

“floating floor” method of installation, the laminate

floor is laid or “floated” over the existing subfloor

without being glued to the surface. This saves consid-

erable time and installation cost. Moreover, laminate

floors are easy to un-install and replace quickly and

easily when it’s time for a style update. ❚

Download NALFA’s Installation Guide

nalfa.com/why-laminate/ease-of-installation/

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CANADADarren Bote

AB Canada 780-880-1718

Kevin Broadhead AB Canada 403-274-9560

Jim Craig AB Canada 780-910-6741

Forrest Malcolm Doucette AB Canada 780-714-4336

Chris Hystead AB Canada 780-743-8211

Troy Larsen AB Canada 403-346-7088

Kerry Mann AB Canada 403-343-7711

Clayton Nielsen AB Canada 780-743-8211

Michael Nurse AB Canada 780-271-1821

Nima Anbarani BC Canada 604-468-9399

Bill Blake BC Canada 604-298-8453

Andrew Calder BC Canada 604-395-2018

Matt Deri BC Canada 250-756-9664

Randy Dunn BC Canada 250-590-5605

Peter Eckert BC Canada 250-744-2004

Moe Haghnegahdar BC Canada 604-676-2323

Perry Hildebrandt BC Canada 250-763-1234

Joseph Ho BC Canada 604-421-0684

Feegus Kelly BC Canada 604-298-8453

Sharlene LaCroix BC Canada 604-421-6684

Kristopher Lassman BC Canada 250-756-9664

Al Negahban BC Canada 604-676-2330

Reza Nikbin BC Canada 604-288-1524

Kjell Nymark BC Canada 778-285-7410

Ron Shukyn BC Canada 604-321-7991

Rocco Stracuzza BC Canada 604-421-0684

Darren Barrett ON Canada 905-475-9582

Matt Butkiewicz ON Canada 647-884-0071

Ryan Daurte ON Canada 905-696-2379

Tom Elliott ON Canada 416-551-9504

Robert Hanna ON Canada 613-226-3830

Drew Kern ON Canada 416-399-7944

John Kirec ON Canada 416-931-5929

John Labre ON Canada 519-570-3088

Roman Madeyak ON Canada 905-669-0779

Chris McRae ON Canada 905-731-4443

David Polvanov ON Canada 905-761-9009

Gord Robertson ON Canada 905-612-8772

Bojan Sehovac ON Canada 905-731-4443

James Senter ON Canada 905-669-0607

Carl Sonego ON Canada 905-673-3650 x3755

Andres Toro ON Canada 1-800-928-0470

Allan Tracey ON Canada 905-857-4500

Ron Peverill NS Canada 902-468-9634

Stephen Cascioli QC Canada 514-726-2012

Bob Keep SK Canada 306-668-4800

UNITED STATESBilly Simmons

AL 251-609-7906

James McKeand AR 501-922-9348

William Blakeslee AZ 855-582-9747

Vincent Ferranti AZ 623-386-1575

Karen Gross AZ 855-582-9747

Rick Sierchio AZ 602-329-1342

John A. Wabeke AZ 928-639-3817

Jim Betts CA 707-894-4657

William Bonds CA 805-968-2696

Timothy E. Chavey CA 916-967-0207

Ray Darrah CA 1-888-407-9660

David Dudley CA 559-732-6927

Dennis Freeman CA 559-392-1226

Chris Godfrey CA 949-348-1997

Laurie Hartman CA 858-774-3104

Herb Hill CA 805-582-2844

Zaim Islam CA 951-246-7343

Richard King CA 530-671-5737

Efren Llamas Jr. CA 909-331-9829

Libby Longstreth CA 209-869-599

Kenneth Miyamoto CA 310-541-8866

Irfan Murtaza CA 714-323-7171

David Newman CA 760-732-5810

NALFA Certified InspectorsWhen to hire an inspector

The relationship between a consumer and a NALFA certified inspector can work one of two ways. 1) When the

consumer notices a concern with the laminate floor, he or she can contact the retailer where the flooring was

purchased or the product manufacturer and ask for claim to be filed. The retailer or manufacturer will send an

inspector to the consumer residence or place of business to inspect the flooring. If the inspector is sent from the

retailer or manufacturer, he or she is not supposed to provide or report their findings to the consumer — only

to the company that commissioned him. 2) The consumer can hire an inspector directly, but this is not always

recommended and could void the manufacturer’s warranty. Please double check the warranty and contact the

manufacturer prior to hiring an inspector on your own. ❚


Gerald Peckham CA 714-719-5023

Allan Pollard CA 760-994-8869

Glenn Revere CA 619-698-5458

Kirk Russell CA 562-760-9028

Thomas Smith CA 951-922-8484

Joseph Szenyeri CA 714-448-2240

Roland Vierra CA 408-999-0922

Richard Kass CO 970-376-2740

Andrew Campbell FL 407-892-6555

Joey Galasso FL 352-222-9722

Martin W. Godell FL 772-215-7264

Ronald Gould FL 1-888-854-0946

Howard Grund-land FL 954-914-3960

Ron LaDue FL 904-338-4407

Eric Bunch GA 678-825-7514

Gregory Burns Sr. GA 706-302-2815

Mark Cordle GA 678-232-5501

John Dailey GA 630-918-7632

Paul Dooley GA 770-447-5123

Duke Martin GA 706-965-0829

Jeff Pope GA 770-664-1960

Richard Snow GA 706-509-9483

Charles B. Stephens GA 770-480-7296

Brian Vandagriff GA 706-965-0823

Jeff Whittington HI 808-488-9949

Rick Corbin IA 563-370-8214

Patrick Kenney IA 505-975-5766

Mike Martin IA 563-349-0688

Gary Biancalana IL 847-902-9118

Maria Coscia IL 1-888-854-0946

Joe Denman IL 309-824-1353

Sue Krisha IL 630-606-9827

Richard Levey IL 847-253-2932

Michael Urban IL 847-885-0120

James Zimmerman IL 815-514-9885

Bill Zoetvelt IL 708-205-0040

Dariusz Zukowski IL 773-775-8577

Joseph Nevins IN 317-910-2305

David Paal IN 317-538-1469

Dave Powell IN 317-442-4743

D. Kris Robbins KS 785-597-5110

Bret Whitehead KS 316-253-4154

Josh Wright KY 859-321-5664

Charles Brady LA 225-439-9616

Garieth Spear LA 225-935-0021

David Buss MA 781-585-4141

Kenneth Nguyen MA 781-380-0768

Mark Brown MD 410-465-6053

Kent Edel MD 443-324-5657

Richard Mabel ME 781-270-4819

Mark Reagan ME 978-476-1936

Marcel Bedard MI 616-292-7118

Anthony J. Hojnacki MI 231-856-9841

Ken Howard MI 248-246-8004

David Zack MI 810-229-4050

Curtis R. Durand MN 612-298-5928

John Paro MN 612-384-7215

Kate Prock MN 651-646-7069

Richard Olesen MO 573-446-1151

Aaron Foulkes MT 406-581-8737

Dallas Pottroff MT 406-375-0123

Tom Hammond NC 704-574-5893

Steven Johnston NC 336-403-4274

Barry Flath ND 701-775-3648

David Barkstedt NJ 845-246-4414

Leroy Gould NJ 240-476-1409

Brian Hayes NJ 732-785-7781

Linda Lockwood NJ 609-660-1717

Bruce Scott NJ 201-969-2252

Michael Ginty NY 914-964-0969

James D. Lewis NY 315-727-0579

Steven Rockfeld NY 516-807-1876

Joseph Villa NY 518-446-9164

Charles Wiedrich NY 585-314-7198

Marty Sures NV 702-804-1077

Don Alexander OH 330-323-7489

Greg Burns Jr. OH 614-406-4940

Tim Cole OH 419-722-8516

Peter Fahey OH 330-353-0180

Andrew Fronczek OH 1-888-400-8721

Robert Kardasz OH 513-752-8210

Kathleen Sobb OH 419-885-4110

Jessica Violand OH 330-877-0661

Samuel Zarcone OH 419-562-5939

Cliff Doctor PA 215-750-9244

Keith Cotton PA 215-369-1731

Anthony Palandro PA 610-742-0525

Michael Quinlan PA 610-942-0267

Joe Shimborsk PA 267-614-5784

Martha Yanover PA 717-873-8157

Wayne Brown SC 251-626-8991

Ricky Buner SC 843-397-5505

Eric Bunker SC 843-251-7454

Raymond Servaes SC 843-838-7167

Selva Lee Tucker SC 864-984-5070

Dale Collins TN 931-707-9324

Gaylon Bailey TX 817-481-0248

Wayne Cooper TX 915-630-3356

Rusty Davis TX 817-831-2500

Steve Hume TX 281-286-5197

Jerry Kuehn TX 713-722-2508

Claudia Lezell TX 281-850-4336

Richard Schumann TX 817-296-8150

Kermit Walker TX 903-521-8342

Dean Johnson UT 801-363-4563

Nick Vlahos UT 801-369-0891

Mark Bisese VA 540-330-4485

Timothy Fobbs VA 757-822-1910


nalfa.com ❚ 79

Jerry Harman VA 540-487-8294,

Wendy Harman VA 540-487-8294

Robert Middleton VA 757-566-7524

Norred Poindexter VA 757-547-0411

John St. Clair VA 540-774-5436

Levy Sacdalan VA 757-689-0710

Richard Reed VT 802-862-9998

Keith Cudmore WA 253-479-3900

Trista Hoxie WA 206-322-2200

Elton Ko WA 503-922-2704

Roy Leach WA 360-670-3508

Craig Pittman WA 425-316-3227

Thea Sand WA 206-322-2200

Gerard Guyette WI 920-251-5465

Paul Pleshek WI 920-731-0304

Ron Starkey WV 304-273-5425

The training received at the NALFA Installer Certification School means NALFA-

certified installers have the know-how to perform the highest-quality laminate floor-

ing installations. Every attendee leaves the program confident in his or her ability

to perform laminate installations to the highest possible standards. The curriculum

has been developed for attendees with at least two years of experience as a flooring

installer and covers installation topics from job site evaluation through the finishing

touches. You can depend on a NALFA-certified installer for an expert and trouble-

free installation. ❚

CANADAMarek Dziedzic

BC, Canada 604-377-7354

Stanislaw Waz BC, Canada 604-329-1947

UNITED STATESCesar Acosta

CA 209-469-9055

Efren Llamas, Jr. CA 909-331-9829

Jason Hartsoe CO 970-739-1877

Joey Galasso FL 352-222-9722

Ron LaDue FL 904-338-4407

Brad Young GA 404-386-2896

Milton Harmon GA 706-581-0737

Adrian Hulea IL 773-430-9720

Jake Bouquet IL 708-712-8426

River West Smith LA 225-439-1078

David Garden MI 586-826-9447

Marcel Bedard MI 616-292-7118

Bob Gillespie MT 816-847-7223

Leroy Gould NJ 240-476-1409

Albert Melendez NJ 908 821 7282

Joe Caprera NJ 609-354-8969

Jose Diaz NJ 856-577-5757

Richard Reckeweg NJ 856-491-0629

David Horan PA 717-991-3856

Wayne Hyer NC 910-454-8930

David Lininger PA 717-264-1107

Samuel Lininger PA 717-264-1107

Anthony Palandro PA 610-742-0525

Shawn Sugden PA 717.608.0960

Bryan Artioli TN 615-598-5311

Dale Collins TN 931-707-9324

Osiel Betancount TX 855-744-8448

Robert Middleton VA 800-366-4204 ex 7524

Wade Wyatt VA 804-306-7275

Jesus Baez WA 425-737-0987

Marcus Mason WA 425-742-4144

Shane May WA 425-742-4144

Ron Starkey WV 304-273-5425

NALFA-Certified Installers



Your home is a reflection of who you are. However, it can be a challenge to achieve the

look you want on your own. Whether you need help with the vision, sourcing the mate-

rials or bringing it all together, there is a professional that can help. There’s no one better

qualified to assist you in creating the space of your dreams than a registered interior designer.

An interior designer is more than a person with good taste — it’s a person who has made the

commitment to design as a career.

In addition to being creative and artistic, interior designers are knowledgeable and skilled

business people. Not only do we create the vision for our clients, we use practical skills and

knowledge of health, safety and more to develop design solutions.

There are many decisions that go into choosing an interior designer — the first is mak-

ing sure they are a registered interior designer. Registered designers have passed the National

Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination, have earned a college

degree in design, have a minimum of two years’ field experience, and participate in continu-

ing education to refine their skills.

Additional accreditation is also key. Look for designers who are members of the profes-

sional design organization called the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). This

group helps to shape its field and provides the support members need to stay current with

trends and best practices, codes, and issues impacting the health, safety and welfare of the

public. Choosing a designer with an ASID membership gives you insight into their profes-

sionalism, skills, experience and ability to assist you with designing your project.

The home design of your dreams is within reach. A registered interior designer will help

you to tell your visual story and understand your functional needs — and with an objective

eye that can save you both time and money. When looking for an interior designer, be sure

to ask about their qualifications and their continuing education. ❚

Steve Patterson is a registered interior designer with 35 years of experience in the interior design industry. After receiving his education in interior design at the University of North Texas, he practiced design in both Texas and Florida, specializing in commercial projects. He has worked for Shaw Contract and Bentley Prince Street Commercial Carpets and Spectra Contract Flooring. Today Steve works for J+J Flooring Group as a strategic account executive. He has combined all of his experience to pursue helping his customers, fellow interior designers and the good people he works with to solve problems with a perspective that only a registered interior designer can have. Steve volunteers his time to TAID, IIDA, ASID and Metrocon 15.

Elevate Your Space

STEVE PATTERSON

Steeped in Tradition, Grounded in LuxuryGary Inman, Allied ASID, NEWH

When your client is housed at a vaunted institution found-ed by Thomas Jefferson in a neoclassical building named in honor of the novelist William Faulkner, even design specifi-cations for a contemporary refresh require a nod to prove-nance. Commissioned to update spaces in the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia, Gary Inman, principal and director of hotel and home design at Glavé & Holmes Architecture in Richmond, Va., drew on his deep experience. The firm has developed a national reputation for historic restoration and creative interpretations of traditional design for several national trust properties. For the center, the design was defined by the flooring choice, a product steeped in tradition — wool.

Among the most ancient and beloved fibers in world, wool blends both technical excellence and a vast archive of designs dating from the fifth century B.C. Indigenous to nearly every culture, wool remains a staple of designers who admire its luxurious hand, resilience, tensile strength and, above all, its capacity for brilliant colorations. To date no synthetic fiber has surpassed wool for it range of possibilities. Whether consider-ing rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, from Persian hand-knotted to loomed and tufted varieties, there is a fit for all project types.

Inman’s team envisioned period appropriate designs for the Miller Center. For the forum room, a venue made famous by C-Span, they selected a wool axminster based on an early 19th century painting. The Middleditch reading room (pictured) features a traditional fretwork design in a bright contempo-rary hue.

Gary Inman, principal and director of hotel and home design at Glavé & Holmes Architecture in Richmond, Va., is an allied member of the American Society of Architects. A doctoral candidate in architectural history, he is a member of the Society of Architectural Historians. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of historical design solutions, over two decades of practice he has created enduring architectural spaces for clients, both residential and commercial.

Gary Inman, Allied ASID, NEWHPrincipal and Director, Hotel & Home DesignGlavé & Holmes Architecture 2101 East Main St.Richmond, VA 23223804-649-9303

Photo: Ansel Olson Photography

Because Space Matters.Achieve the highest quality and smartest solution with an ASID designer.Creative consultant and problem solver, an ASID interior designer asks the right questions, analyzes the answers, and creates a personalized solution that delivers long-term value and design quality - the first time.

Visit www.asid.org to find a qualified ASID designer for your next project.

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INSTITUTIONAL

Quick•Step® floors deliver on style and modern performance.

Celebrity Designer and Style Expert Erinn V chose

Quick•Step®’s Reclaimé™ collection to help warm

up this contemporary interior

by

us.quick-step.com

“Rustic floors were once relegated to farmhouses and cottages. Now you

see them in all kinds of interiors. I use them in many of my contemporary

designs — they add warmth and texture. But while laminates like the

Reclaimé™ collection look like vintage barn wood — they’re built using

technology for better performance.”

— Erinn Valencich, Celebrity Designer and Style Expert

As seen on NBC’s American Dream Builders

Design tipContrast smooth and textured surfaces to add interest.

Family-friendly DurabilityThe patented Uniclic® locking system helps prevent water damage and warping.

Living on Laminate

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Transcript of Living on Laminate