Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is a top pick for property renovators and owners in the UK who want a contemporary, long-lasting, and affordable option compared to pricier hardwood or stone flooring.

Modern design innovations now mean that laminate flooring reproduces the look of wood and stone, making high-end finishes more approachable without the high prices.

One of the standout attractions of laminate flooring is that sections interlock easily, making it the go-to material for DIYers.

The wide range of laminate flooring products from trusted suppliers like Finsa means that quality can be yours at a cheaper price point. In the UK, searching ‘laminate flooring near me’ yields many results, making it a straightforward process to get the right product for you.

Let’s unpack this material and how it can transform your floors.

What Is Laminate Flooring Made Of?

Laminate flooring is a manufactured product that is intended to look like wood or stone. It is made up of the following:

A transparent wear-protection top layer that lets you see the plank.
The printed layer that copies the intended design.
A high-density fibreboard (HDF) core to give it structure and moisture resistance.
A bottom layer of melamine resin to protect from capillary action moisture.

Cheap laminate flooring now enjoys a top spot among flooring products, due to the following reasons:

Affordable pricing without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.
The click-into-place system for easy laying.
Lowered maintenance costs compared to other flooring options.
A durable but light and scratch-resistant construction, with some variants sporting antimicrobial features for enhanced hygiene.

Preparing The Floor for Laminates

If you are prepared for the job and understand the best practices, laminate flooring becomes a much simpler and timely process.

Let’s break it down:

Start by cleaning the floor, removing the trim if any, and any baseboards you may have installed. Leave the room to dry fully before continuing.
Check that each square meter of floor doesn’t have a deviation or bumps more than 2mm high. Remove or make flush with the floor any nails or screws that stick out and use a liqud leveler to smooth out any low places.
For two full days before installation, store the laminates (outside the box) in the room you intend to have them in so they expand or contract to fit the target environment, making them easier to lay accurately.
Ensure the underlay is flat and no edges overlap as you put it down and add moisture resistant silicone or waterproofing in bathrooms, basements, sinks, kitchens, etc., as you go.
Take out the baseboards or trim for unobstructed access to the edges of the floor.

Installation of Laminate Floors

What tools will you need to get started? Let’s list them:

An easy-to-use saw (jig, hand, or circular) and an undercut jamb saw.
A sharp and sturdy utility knife.
A hammer (for those pesky nails or screws) and rubber mallet (for the laminates).
Tape measure.
A pencil and T-square ruler.
Wood spacers (you can make these yourself).

Now that you have all that, it’s installation time!

Put down your first row of planks on the longest wall with about 10mm of space off the wall to allow for safe expansion and contraction during the floor’s lifecycle.
If you need to cut the final piece to fit, measure the space first and transpose it on the plank for precision. Keep the cut-off to start the next row so it staggers the joints for a more aesthetic look.
Fit the next row of planks into the first row at a 15-20° angle and ensure they fit onto each other before pushing them down to interlock the edges. Use the rubber mallet to nudge them in as you go.
The last row of planks may need cutting, which you can do by measuring (don’t forget the expansion space) the space before laying them into place. Use a T-square for the length cuts to maintain precision.
Finish the job with moulding around the edges to hide the expansion gap.

Special Considerations for Moisture-Prone Areas

Finfloor provides guidelines on how to install laminate flooring in high-moisture areas. Here are the best practices to keep in mind:

Use waterproofing or sealant where moisture is common.
Use specialised planks with sealed edges and water protection.
If unsure of installation, ask a professional for help.
Do not let spills sit on the laminates for long.

Join in and enjoy the benefits of high-quality laminate flooring UK homes and commercial spaces rely on.

Thickness Variations In Laminates

Finfloor boasts a diverse library of patterns to offer project managers design flexibility while keeping costs down.

8mm Laminate Flooring

Finfloor’s 8mm variants are lighter, cheaper, and DIY-friendly. Areas with moderate traffic (think studies, bedrooms, sitting rooms, etc.) benefit most from this plank.

12mm Laminate Flooring

Where you have the most traffic, you need thicker material for durability and soundproofing. The thickness of this material also produces more realistic designs, as they are etched in deeper.

Laminate Plank Sizes

Standard plank (Finfloor Original: 1331mm x 194mm x 8mm) – Balanced and classic look for contemporary interiors.

Narrow plank (Finfloor Style: 1310mm x 132mm x 8mm) – Sleek and space-enhancing, great for smaller or modern rooms.

Wide plank (Finfloor Supreme: 1310mm x 240mm x 8mm) – Adds a spacious feel to open-plan rooms and areas.

12mm plank (Finfloor 12: 1331mm x 194mm x 12mm) – Blends standard size with enhanced strength for better acoustics.

Types of Finishes for Laminate Flooring

Finsa’s catalogue is packed with a look for every room that you can source with a simple ‘laminate flooring near me Finsa’ search. They include:

Tile Effect– Looks like ceramic or stone and stands out in kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways.
Wood Impression– Add warmth and a touch of elegance to your sitting rooms and bedrooms.
Tibet– A rustic oak aesthetic, perfect for libraries, cottages, and rustic-themed spaces.
Vintage Matt– Aged finish for vintage-style appearances or high-end boutiques.
Dover– Stone-textured; works well in kitchens, hallways, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc.
Dry Touch– Matte and minimalist; perfect for Scandinavian-style interiors.
Rustic Pore– Deep grain texture; a great fit for commercial spaces and minimalist interiors.
Saw-Cut– Raw, unfinished look; also great for commercial or minimalist interior designs.
Nature– The look of wood in nature; best for relaxing spaces that benefit from a grounded feel.

Where Laminate Flooring Is Most Commonly Used

Bedrooms and Living Rooms

Laminate flooring works well in living areas, with its scratch resistance and simple care instructions. Households with kids or pets do not have to worry about wear, except for scratches or gouges. DIY-friendly installation and cheaper pricing make it perfect for home renovations.

Bathrooms and Moisture-Prone Areas

Waterproofed sealed-edge planks are best for this use-case. It looks like stone or tiles and can handle moisture. The result is a sleek, low-maintenance alternative to vinyl or ceramic.

Commercial spaces

When buying laminate flooring UK for commercial spaces, regulations come into play. Pick the planks with a rating of Class 33 and AC6. They are built for spaces with higher-than-average foot traffic and are built to resist wear and impact.

Underfloor Heating Considerations

Laminate flooring works well with both electric and hydronic underfloor heating systems. For safe, effective use:

Pick low thermal resistance laminates for good heat transfer.
Don’t forget the expansion gaps during installation to allow for heat and humidity fluctuations.
Keep surface temperatures below 27° to prevent heat damage (for example, warping).
Buy underlays designed for underfloor heating installations for longevity.

Repairing Scratches and Other Damage on Laminate Flooring

Cheap laminate flooring maintenance follows best practices that account for its construction. Here is what you have to keep in mind:

Sweep and vacuum to prevent dirt from forming layers and avoid using water when cleaning. Wipe with a damp cloth/towel instead.
Spills seep into the edges and should be cleaned immediately.
Never use wax, polish, or other harsh cleaners on the laminate, and keep your furniture on pads as they can gouge or scratch the floor when pushed.

If you need to fix scratches, you can use a colour-matched wax pencil as filler and delicately buff it.

Breakage or other severe damages are an easy fix too. Pull the affected plank and put in a new one.