FAQ’s

Laminate

 

What Is Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring has four layers: overlay, decorative paper, HDF and balance. The overlay is the clear top layer that protects the floor from stains and fading. The decorative paper is the color, pattern, texture portion of the laminate floor. HDF is the pressed high-density fiberboard that keeps the laminate stable and flat. The balancer creates a barrier with the sub-floor and protects the floor from moisture and warping. This layered construction helps deliver durable and long-wearing laminate flooring.

 

How Can I Get the Shine of My Laminate Flooring to Increase?
The shine cannot be modified as it is a manufactured characteristic. Therefore, you must never wax or polish a laminate flooring.

 

Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed on Wall?
Yes, laminate flooring can be installed on walls. Please see our laminate flooring installation guide for details.

 

Why do I need underlayment for laminate flooring installation?
Underlayment for laminate flooring is a must. Since laminate is a floating floor, it must be evenly distributed across your subfloor. Underlayment is what allows the floor to float, gives it stability, support, noise reduction, and supports the locking systems in between planks to assure the sturdiest flooring project.

 

Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed Over Carpet?
No, all carpet and padding should be removed completely prior to installation.

 

RIGID VINYL

 

What is Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring?
Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring is an engineered vinyl floor that has an enhanced rigid core construction for dimensional stability. Rigid Vinyl flooring is typically comprised of 4 layers: wear layer, vinyl top coat, decorative print and rigid core. There are several types of rigid core flooring, the most popular are WPC and SPC. Rigid Vinyl flooring is 100% waterproof

 

What Is WPC/SPC Flooring?
WPC refers to “wood plastic composite”. The WPC core is made by combining wood pulp, plasticizers and foaming agents to create a sturdy, waterproof core that is stable, yet comfortable under foot.

 

Since WPC/SPC is Waterproof, can it be installed Outside?
No. WPC/SPC flooring will not be harmed by water when exposed to it from spills and normal cleaning. However, use of the flooring outside exposes it to other elements which will damage the flooring and is not covered by your warranty.

 

Can WPC/SPC be installed over Radiant Heat?
Yes, but you should consult your supplier and choose the compatible product. Also, temperature must never exceed 79°F and changes in temperature settings must be gradual.

 

Can  WPC/SPC Flooring Be Installed Over Carpet?
No, all carpet and padding should be removed completely prior to installation.

 

General

 

What Is A Floating Floor?
A floating floor is a floor built with all its parts attached to each other but with none of these component parts fixed to the supporting floor.

 

What Does Embossed in Register Mean?
All A-Tech Flooring® laminate and rigid vinyl flooring are register embossed. It is a manufacturing method that creates a grain appearance consistent with the look of real hardwood grain. This process aligns the embossing on the plank with the printed woodgrain design and intensifies the depth, texture and appearance of the floor.

 

What Is V-Groove and U-Groove?
The join between two panels lying side by side is around 1 mm deep and is termed the V groove. It is created by the flattened edges of the panels where we also talk of 45 degree fibres. When you fit the panels together, a join is created which is V-shaped in cross-section which is how it gets its name.
Beveled Pressed U groove flooring is processed into a U form by special equipment before the process of hot pressing. This procedure is mainly to stress the obvious U form. The additional procedure makes u groove flooring more natural and more like real wood flooring.

 

Why Do I Need A Moisture Barrier with A Concrete Subfloor?
Concrete floors are capable of storing a large quantity of water in the form of humidity. Concrete floors are typically found in the basement and the soil adjacent to the concrete can bring humidity into the floor. It is critical to avoid all direct contact between your flooring and the concrete floor to avoid any moisture getting into the planks.

 

How Long Should the Flooring Acclimate Prior To Installation?
The recommended time for acclimation is 48 to 72 hours. The reason for this acclimation time is to allow the flooring to acclimate to the room temperature. Be sure that while this process is taking place, you have the room temperature set between 59°F to 68°F with a relative humidity of 50%-60%.

 

What is the required expansion space for A-Tech Flooring® floors?
The required expansion space for all A-Tech Flooring®  floors is 3/8″ for all vertical interruptions, be they the walls, moldings, pillars, HVAC vents, flooring receptacles, masonry, toilet flanges, pipes, etc.

 

 Why is formaldehyde used in A-Tech Flooring® floors?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance in all wood, formed by elements found in our environment like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. While formaldehyde is naturally occurring, high levels can be harmful to humans. At A-Tech Flooring®, we follow rigorous safety guidelines to make sure our floors are safe. The quality of our products meet the strictest safety guidelines.

 

Can A-Tech Flooring® floors withstand scratches from the nails of our pets?
A-Tech Flooring® is scratch resistant but not scratch proof. We recommend keeping your pet’s nails trimmed.