LAMINATE FLOORING SPECIFICATIONS

Using laminate flooring is becoming more and more popular in Vietnam. This article provides basic information about the specifications as well as the tests on plank samples to achieve these parameters, the standards required for flooring and how to classify laminate flooring. Hopefully with the information below, you can have a better understanding and make the right decision for your project.

An example that you might find on a floor model:

SAMPLE SPECIFICATIONS

Standard: Class AC5, E1, Class 33

+ Surface: Real Wood Texture Surface. Aluminum Oxide (Melamine) coating is fireproof and scratch resistant.

+ Click2Click lock, 4 edges covered with waterproof candle wax

+ Dimensions: 12mm x 196mm x 1220mm

+ 1 box of 8 bars = 1,913m2

So, what is the AC5 level, what is the lock, what are the surface requirements for the flooring, let's find out through this article.

1. Flooring classification
2. Dimensions of floorings
3. Some index of floorings
4. Experiments to achieve technical indicators
5. Lock system

1.Flooring classification

To classify wooden flooring AC Abrasion Index and Usability Class are 2 factors that cannot be missed.

• AC: The Abrasion Criteria given by the European flooring association, for flooring, this index is usually at AC4 or AC5.

• Usage Class (Utility Class) also known as the Force Index (KL)

For high-grade flooring imported from Europe with a bearing capacity of 80kg/cm2, when installed at home, it is suitable for living room, bedroom, dining room, children's room, stairs.. and in public areas where there are quite a lot of people such as supermarkets, conference halls, hotels, offices, kindergartens, etc., the commonly used flooring has a class level of 32, a few have a class level 33.

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2. Dimensions of floorings

The normal dimension of laminate flooring these days is: 1.2m length, width from 12mm to 20mm, thickness of 7.5mm, 8mm, 10mm or 12mm, 14mm.

The length of natural wood flooring may be shorter than that, from 360mm or more.

Flooring Thickness: There are 2 common type of flooring in the market: 8mm and 12mm thickness.

• 8mm thickness: designed with anti-abrasion surface standard from AC2 - AC4. Because the thickness is not high, the bearing capacity is not as good as the 12mm floor type, so this type of board is mainly used in residential interior construction, low density of movement, flat surface.

If only serving the installation needs of residential houses, using 8mm floors with AC3 - AC4 index is suitable and cost-effective.

• 12mm thickness: normally, it will be designed with a high-abrasive surface from AC4, AC5 to serve installation in public locations in crowded residential areas or shops serving a lot of visitors. Not only good abrasion and scratch resistance, but also high thickness floors ensure good soundproofing and water resistance.

3. Some index of floorings

In addition to the AC index and Class as mentioned above, floorings also have other criteria such as: impact resistance, formaldehyde index, standards of fire resistance, anti-fouling, water resistance, heat resistance...

IC (Impact Resistance)

Is the parameter that shows whether the floor is deformed when a heavy object falls to the floor, denoted by IC.

IC bearing standards are divided into 2 levels: IC1 and IC2. The IC2 index usually applies to industrial wood planks. IC1 is for natural woods. With standard IC2 flooring can withstand 850 - 870 kg/m2.

Formaldehyde index

This index shows the formaldehyde emission that wooden floors will release into the surrounding environment. This is a very important factor that directly affects human health.

The index of this content is currently at:

• E2 formaldehyde release is less than 5.0mg/L, must allow for interior finishes treatment

• E1 is a safe level for the human body. E1 formaldehyde release is less than 1.5mg/L, this board can be directly used for indoor plate.

• E0 standard was produced in Japan, is the most stringent environmental standards, equivalent to Europe’s highest standard E (1 / 2)

Fire Resistant B (Burn Resistant)

This standard complies with the European standard BS EN13501. It is recommended that floors should have standards B1 to ensure good resistance to fire spread. Floors with a rating of B2 or higher have poor fire resistance and are easier to catch fire.

Water resistant index

Water resistance is the standard you should pay attention. This standard evaluates the expansion of wooden boards when soaked in water for a period of 24 hours, thereby assessing the degree of warping and swelling of the product in the water environment.

The high-grade floorings usually do not blister when soaked in water, the expansion is low. Product lines from Europe and Thailand swell about 10 - 12%, Chinese floors are usually damaged when immersed in water.

4. Experiments to achieve technical indicators

Endurance level (Class): European wood flooring has endurance level at 80kg/cm2, suitable for residential areas such as: living room, bedroom, dining room, children's room, stairs... Public areas such as: supermarket, conference hall, hotel, office, kindergarten. Types of flooring usually have a class 32, a few have a class 33.

Wear resistance (AC): Attach paper grinding (70-100g/m2) coated with Al2O3 aluminum oxide powder (180grit, grain size 63/100alpha) on the rotary table, rotation speed 58/62 rpm with the pressure of 5 ,4+0.2N. The floor board is impacted simultaneously at 4 sensitive points by 4 tables (axis of rotation). After 200 rounds, replace with new abrasive paper. The subcritical index in revolutions determines the wear strength class from AC1-AC5. For example for AC3 is 2000 revolutions, AC4 is 4000 revolutions. The types of laminate flooring in the Vietnamese market today are mainly with 3 levels of abrasion AC3, AC4 and AC5.

Impact Resistance (IC): this index shows the resistant to falling objects due to the special properties of the Melamine coating and the overall structure of the slab. A steel ball with a diameter of 5mm mounted on a force spring of 0-9kg with a length of 100mm will be used to shot at the Laminate flooring plate without leaving a mark on that floor. For example, IC2 has the impact force of 20N or the cylindrical iron ingot is 11.3mm in diameter and weighs 780g, dropped from a height of 1.2m without damaging the floor surface. Laminate flooring on the market today rarely publish this index on the package, the default index is usually IC2.

Anti-fouling ability: Most types of laminate flooring are easy to wipe off stains such as crayons, beer stains, green tea, and urine... with a damp cloth. In some cases, you can use more detergent for wooden floors. Remove stains such as nail polish, shoe polish, machine oils... with a damp cloth impregnated with a suitable solvent for stains.

Color fastness: The color is as the same as natural wood color, less fading under sunlight and ultraviolet rays. This is an important difference from varnished or plywood floors.

Heat resistance: Heat resistance helps wooden floors not warp, can be installed on underground heating systems. The heating system is mainly used in cold European countries.

Fire resistance (B): Very difficult to burn is determined as level B1. Leaving the burning cigarette on the floor until the cigarette burns out without leaving a mark is the way to test and decide this index.

5. Lock system

On each wooden plank, there will be lock bars on 4 sides. The locking jaws that help the two wooden slats connect closely together will also make installation or dismantling easier.

 Manufacturers have designed many types of locks. Here are some types of locks you can refer to.

- Zip'n'go lock is a type of locking technology from France

- Clic2Clic locking clamps are often found in industrial flooring products from command to some high-end types.

- Crystal-Click lock is a type of clam technology from Switzerland.

- Rclick lock is a key lock technology from Malaysia.

- The TAP & GO lock is often found on Thai laminate flooring: Vanachai, Thaixin, Thaistar, Thai Lux, ThaiViet laminate flooring.

In addition, it is recommend to pay attention on two types of locking hem edges: flat edge and V edge lock.

The flat edge log when paving the wood panel will create a seamlessness, almost no seams are visible. The entire floor is flat. Advantages: no grooves, convenient to clean, not afraid of soil, dust getting caught in the circuit, flat edges often appear on large wooden floors.

Type V edge log often appears on small laminate flooring. The V-edge forms clear wood veins, similar to the style of natural wood, with strong features, can change different paving styles to have different staggered circuit patterns.​

You can learn more about plywood flooring or you can contact us directly to receive specific advice on products.

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