FEB 2010 - Insider Tips: Questions to ask when purchasing laminate flooring.

There are literally 1000's of different laminate flooring options on sale in Australia today, so which is going to be the right choice for you? The following is a list of things you need that could assist you in determining which style and quality of laminate is going to be your best option.

Is the product suitable for my application?

Obvoiusly different rooms will have different levels and type of use. Laminates carry wear class ratings for domestic and commercial applications and these can offer a good indication of a products capabilities. Typically, good quality laminates have a 23/32 wear class rating. What does this mean? Well the 23 refers to a product that carries the highest wear class rating for domestic applications, and the 32 means that the product also carries a general commercial wear class. So this type of product will be more than suitable for most households with regards to traffic and wear. These products can also be used for light/moderate commercial areas, such as retail stores, hair dressing salons, boutiques etc. All Witex products carry this rating as a minimum, ensuring that our products are highly suitable for the above applications.

Where is the product made?

The two main manufacturing sources for laminate flooring are Europe and China. Manufacturers in Europe are typically members of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring or EPLF. This is your guarantee of quality and will be clearly labelled on each pack of product. All members of the EPLF carry certification that their products meet the strictest European Standards for quality and important factors such as formaldehyde emissions. Products from EPLF certified manufacturers typically cost a bit more, but this is because they have been rigorously tested to ensure you are buying the best quality laminate flooring. Needless to say, Witex is and EPLF certified manufacturer.

 How is the product installed?

Laminates have been in Australia for about 20 years now, and the number of quality installers has risen accordingly. However, question the credentials of any installer to ensure that your investment looks the best that it can. Ask to see if there are any jobs nearby that you can have a look at, or any existing customers that you can speak to. If you are planning to do it yourself (DIY) then there are some factors that you need to consider. Ask for a copy of the installation instructions and familiarise yourself with them. Different brands of laminate flooring use different licensed locking systems in order to lock their products together. Some are alot harder than others to install for this reason. Witex's Loctec system is made under license from Unilin, and is one of the most respected products proffesionally in Australia and the world due to its ease of installation and the strength of the finished floor. 

What is the warranty?

Many things influence the price of laminate flooring, quality, where it is made, type of locking system used etc. It is important to realise that like most things in life, with laminate flooring you definitely do get what you pay for. Warranty is an important factor in this as this is your peace of mind with regards to your purchase. Witex guarantees its witloc quality products for 15 years domestically and 5 years for light commercial applications. All other Witex products carry a 20 year domestic wear warranty and a 5 year general commercial warranty. Products with AQUA-PROTECT also have a 20 year wear warranty in domestic wet areas, such as bathrooms, laundries and toilets.

For full warranty terms and conditions please contact us at Floating Floors P/L.

Hopefully this will be useful to you in determining which products will be suitable for your application.

29.01.10 

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