E03A - MATERIAL GUIDES - HISTORY
Preface:
This study guide provides a brief and simple overview of the history of "laminate" flooring as a floor covering material. Much of this information is quoted from or based on that provided by the North American Laminate flooring Association (NALFA).
1 • THE HISTORY OF LAMINATE FLOORING
Unlike North America, in Europe it is common practice or customary for homeowners to take their kitchen counter units, appliances, and other household "fixtures", including their finished flooring with them when they move to a new housing unit. The development of laminate flooring in Sweden in the early eighties as a lower cost alternate to solid hardwood flooring was an innovative use of high-pressure melamine laminate in providing another "moveable" finish product for the homeowner.
Plastic laminate has been a decorative surfacing product widely used on millwork and wall panels and on counter and tabletops over many years but never as a flooring material due to the abusive wear that floors are subject to. The use of laminates as a floor covering material however required that this abusive wear factor be addressed. The technical challenge to create a reinforced laminate to meet this requirement has resulted in the production of "floor" laminates that are at least twenty times stronger than other decorative surfacing laminates. In conjunction with this process the development of appropriate core and backing materials for this thin flooring surface material also progressed.
Similar to plastic laminate, laminate flooring is manufactured with a clear wear layer, a decorative paper or décor layer which determines the design or appearance of the material (in laminate flooring this décor layer is usually a photograph of wood plank flooring of various species in various stains (colours), although other décor appearances are now available such as ceramic and slate tile, stone, bamboo, etc.), and several layers of paper impregnated with special resins that are all pressed together under pressure to form a highly wear resistant composite "laminate" material. The finished laminate is then glued onto a "wood" core or carrier with an impervious backing layer and cut into sections with extremely exact dimensions.
To aid in installation, a different fastening system was required. This led to the development of laminate floor panels with tongue and groove joints that are either mechanically locked or glued together (with glue also used to moisture proof joints and/or resist heavy loads and traffic dependent on the manufacturer requirements). The strength of this bond normally permits heavy objects, such as refrigerators or bookcases to be placed directly on the flooring without fracturing the joints. When properly done this fastening results in a "connected" floor system with relatively tight joints that are impervious to damp mopping but not to spills and wash water.
From the beginning, laminate flooring was designed to be laid or "floated" over an existing floor without being glued to the surface. This process of installation is called a floating floor. In most cases, (with the exception of carpet), the older floor is not removed thus encapsulating the original floor. Because of this, such installations usually save time and installation costs. And unlike solid hardwood and resilient flooring that requires installation by skilled professionals, this type of flooring can be installed (and removed) by a homeowner with a modicum of skill.
Solid and engineered hardwood flooring was and still is normally sold in long strips of approximately eight feet although mixed lengths were and are now available. Laminate flooring on the other hand was initially produced and packaged in 1200 mm (48") long lengths with eight planks to a carton with carton contents equalling approximately twenty square feet (two square meters) resulting in a new "half length" flooring material in fairly lightweight cartons that is easier to transport by car or carry (especially in building elevators). Today laminate flooring is available in mixed lengths from 300 mm (12") to 1230 mm (80") and mixed widths from 100 mm (4") to 300 mm (12").
Because of these revolutionary factors design, durability, and ease of installation (and removal for reuse), a large do-it yourself market was created in Sweden that still exists today. In fact, over ninety percent of laminate flooring in Sweden is still self-installed! Following this early success in Scandinavia, other northern European countries, primarily Germany and the Benelux countries began to market laminate flooring. Distribution then spread quickly throughout the rest of Europe and continues today.
In North America
Laminate flooring crossed the Atlantic in the early nineties and was quickly introduced to the market place. The same attributes of design, durability, and ease of installation assured the popularity of this flooring in North America surpassing even European export expectations of its success. Consumers soon found they could have a durable wear and stain resistance product with great aesthetic appeal. First used in kitchens, laminate flooring is now used in virtually every room in Canadian and American households with some use in commercial areas.
In addition to imported European laminate flooring, there are now Canadian and US manufacturers producing laminate flooring for use in residential and commercial areas.
Success
Both the professional installer and the do-it-yourself customer have quickly embraced laminate flooring and the floating floor method of installation due to the minimum amount of time required for installation as well as the simplicity of installation (and removal) compared to that of a glued-down (to the sub-floor) resilient floor or a nailed down hardwood floor, and the fact that it can be installed in above grade, on grade, and below grade locations.
Another factor to be considered is that laminate floor also contains insignificant quantities of elements that affect indoor air quality and it can be destroyed with no danger to the atmosphere and environment (landfill) if disposed of when removed.
The final success ingredient (and an important one) is in the aesthetics of this type of flooring. In the beginning virtually all the laminate floors were replicated wood species simply because these patterns were desired by the public. As laminate flooring grew in popularity, other looks were introduced, including random length planks, hand scraped textures, as well as marble and stone decore layers. One of the interesting aspects of laminate flooring is that the designs are only limited by the imagination of the laminate / flooring producers. This has resulted in a flooring product now recognized by the design and decorating community for its aesthetic variety.
Benefits
The benefits of laminate flooring (which must be verified with individual manufacturers) are that:
Associations
The need of European producers of laminate flooring to "standardize" their products due to the European common market resulted in the formation of the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) in 1994 in Bonn, Germany. This organization represents the leading producers of laminate flooring in Europe and their suppliers.
The EPLF's member companies account for approximately 70% of the global market and approximately 85% of the European market. At present a total of 22 laminate producers from eleven European countries, 31 suppliers to the laminate flooring industry, and four testing institutes are members of the EPLF.
The EPLF is an international platform for the exchange of ideas and experience between producers of laminate flooring and their supplier industries. The focus of the Association's work revolves around research, development, the introduction of standards, representation at international trade fairs, evaluation of statistical data and active press office and public relations work.
In North America, Canadian and USA manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring formed the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) in 1997. Their primary purpose is to create voluntary product performance standards for laminate flooring in North America. This organization is now comprised of manufacturers, distributors, materials providers, and ancillary entities.
Standards
Standards for laminate flooring in Europe are being created by the CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation or The European Committee for Standardization) group and will have the force of law. Such standards will be know as European Norms or EN standards. The standard, EN 13329, Laminate Floor Coverings – Specifications, Requirements, and Test Methods, has been adopted by EPLF. For other pertinent EN laminate flooring standards refer to Part E02B - Reference Standards.
Standards for laminate flooring in North America are being developed by NALFA which maintains a relationship with CEN as well as the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). The standard, NALFA Standards Publication LF 01-2003, Laminate Flooring: Specifications and Test Methods represents the consensus efforts of NALFA and its membership. It remains to be seen whether these standards will be the same as or different from EN Standards. For a comparison of common standards refer to Part E03C - Material Guide.
This study guide provides a brief and simple overview of the history of "laminate" flooring as a floor covering material. Much of this information is quoted from or based on that provided by the North American Laminate flooring Association (NALFA).
1 • THE HISTORY OF LAMINATE FLOORING
Unlike North America, in Europe it is common practice or customary for homeowners to take their kitchen counter units, appliances, and other household "fixtures", including their finished flooring with them when they move to a new housing unit. The development of laminate flooring in Sweden in the early eighties as a lower cost alternate to solid hardwood flooring was an innovative use of high-pressure melamine laminate in providing another "moveable" finish product for the homeowner.
Plastic laminate has been a decorative surfacing product widely used on millwork and wall panels and on counter and tabletops over many years but never as a flooring material due to the abusive wear that floors are subject to. The use of laminates as a floor covering material however required that this abusive wear factor be addressed. The technical challenge to create a reinforced laminate to meet this requirement has resulted in the production of "floor" laminates that are at least twenty times stronger than other decorative surfacing laminates. In conjunction with this process the development of appropriate core and backing materials for this thin flooring surface material also progressed.
Similar to plastic laminate, laminate flooring is manufactured with a clear wear layer, a decorative paper or décor layer which determines the design or appearance of the material (in laminate flooring this décor layer is usually a photograph of wood plank flooring of various species in various stains (colours), although other décor appearances are now available such as ceramic and slate tile, stone, bamboo, etc.), and several layers of paper impregnated with special resins that are all pressed together under pressure to form a highly wear resistant composite "laminate" material. The finished laminate is then glued onto a "wood" core or carrier with an impervious backing layer and cut into sections with extremely exact dimensions.
To aid in installation, a different fastening system was required. This led to the development of laminate floor panels with tongue and groove joints that are either mechanically locked or glued together (with glue also used to moisture proof joints and/or resist heavy loads and traffic dependent on the manufacturer requirements). The strength of this bond normally permits heavy objects, such as refrigerators or bookcases to be placed directly on the flooring without fracturing the joints. When properly done this fastening results in a "connected" floor system with relatively tight joints that are impervious to damp mopping but not to spills and wash water.
From the beginning, laminate flooring was designed to be laid or "floated" over an existing floor without being glued to the surface. This process of installation is called a floating floor. In most cases, (with the exception of carpet), the older floor is not removed thus encapsulating the original floor. Because of this, such installations usually save time and installation costs. And unlike solid hardwood and resilient flooring that requires installation by skilled professionals, this type of flooring can be installed (and removed) by a homeowner with a modicum of skill.
Solid and engineered hardwood flooring was and still is normally sold in long strips of approximately eight feet although mixed lengths were and are now available. Laminate flooring on the other hand was initially produced and packaged in 1200 mm (48") long lengths with eight planks to a carton with carton contents equalling approximately twenty square feet (two square meters) resulting in a new "half length" flooring material in fairly lightweight cartons that is easier to transport by car or carry (especially in building elevators). Today laminate flooring is available in mixed lengths from 300 mm (12") to 1230 mm (80") and mixed widths from 100 mm (4") to 300 mm (12").
Because of these revolutionary factors design, durability, and ease of installation (and removal for reuse), a large do-it yourself market was created in Sweden that still exists today. In fact, over ninety percent of laminate flooring in Sweden is still self-installed! Following this early success in Scandinavia, other northern European countries, primarily Germany and the Benelux countries began to market laminate flooring. Distribution then spread quickly throughout the rest of Europe and continues today.
In North America
Laminate flooring crossed the Atlantic in the early nineties and was quickly introduced to the market place. The same attributes of design, durability, and ease of installation assured the popularity of this flooring in North America surpassing even European export expectations of its success. Consumers soon found they could have a durable wear and stain resistance product with great aesthetic appeal. First used in kitchens, laminate flooring is now used in virtually every room in Canadian and American households with some use in commercial areas.
In addition to imported European laminate flooring, there are now Canadian and US manufacturers producing laminate flooring for use in residential and commercial areas.
Success
Both the professional installer and the do-it-yourself customer have quickly embraced laminate flooring and the floating floor method of installation due to the minimum amount of time required for installation as well as the simplicity of installation (and removal) compared to that of a glued-down (to the sub-floor) resilient floor or a nailed down hardwood floor, and the fact that it can be installed in above grade, on grade, and below grade locations.
Another factor to be considered is that laminate floor also contains insignificant quantities of elements that affect indoor air quality and it can be destroyed with no danger to the atmosphere and environment (landfill) if disposed of when removed.
The final success ingredient (and an important one) is in the aesthetics of this type of flooring. In the beginning virtually all the laminate floors were replicated wood species simply because these patterns were desired by the public. As laminate flooring grew in popularity, other looks were introduced, including random length planks, hand scraped textures, as well as marble and stone decore layers. One of the interesting aspects of laminate flooring is that the designs are only limited by the imagination of the laminate / flooring producers. This has resulted in a flooring product now recognized by the design and decorating community for its aesthetic variety.
Benefits
The benefits of laminate flooring (which must be verified with individual manufacturers) are that:
- floors are easy to clean with generally only vacuuming or dry mopping needed and periodic cleaning using cleaners and procedures approved by the manufacturer.
- there is no need for waxing or stripping of old wax build-up.
- dye lots are non-existent (this ensures an exact match in tone and colour even if additional matching flooring is purchased and installed a year later)
- flooring will not fade from sun or ultraviolet rays.
- wear patterns are greatly reduced or eliminated due to the harder finish and with proper maintenance.
- resistance to indentation from heavy objects or shoes is far greater than wood or vinyl floors.
Associations
The need of European producers of laminate flooring to "standardize" their products due to the European common market resulted in the formation of the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) in 1994 in Bonn, Germany. This organization represents the leading producers of laminate flooring in Europe and their suppliers.
The EPLF's member companies account for approximately 70% of the global market and approximately 85% of the European market. At present a total of 22 laminate producers from eleven European countries, 31 suppliers to the laminate flooring industry, and four testing institutes are members of the EPLF.
The EPLF is an international platform for the exchange of ideas and experience between producers of laminate flooring and their supplier industries. The focus of the Association's work revolves around research, development, the introduction of standards, representation at international trade fairs, evaluation of statistical data and active press office and public relations work.
In North America, Canadian and USA manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring formed the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) in 1997. Their primary purpose is to create voluntary product performance standards for laminate flooring in North America. This organization is now comprised of manufacturers, distributors, materials providers, and ancillary entities.
Standards
Standards for laminate flooring in Europe are being created by the CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation or The European Committee for Standardization) group and will have the force of law. Such standards will be know as European Norms or EN standards. The standard, EN 13329, Laminate Floor Coverings – Specifications, Requirements, and Test Methods, has been adopted by EPLF. For other pertinent EN laminate flooring standards refer to Part E02B - Reference Standards.
Standards for laminate flooring in North America are being developed by NALFA which maintains a relationship with CEN as well as the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). The standard, NALFA Standards Publication LF 01-2003, Laminate Flooring: Specifications and Test Methods represents the consensus efforts of NALFA and its membership. It remains to be seen whether these standards will be the same as or different from EN Standards. For a comparison of common standards refer to Part E03C - Material Guide.