www.mega-floor.com

Everything you need to know about laminate flooring

Laminate comes from “lamina”, which is Latin for “layer”. This is a product made of several layers where the surfaces are glued to each other. A laminate floor is 90% wood. The robust, trans-parent surface is usually made of resin, the decor pattern of

printed paper. The core element is the high density core board made of pressed wood fibre (High Density Fiberboard, HDF). Underneath the board there is an additional paper layer, which prevents deformation.

What is a laminate floor?

3

Product

1

2

3

4

Structure of a laminate floor

1

2

3

4

Strong, highly abrasion- resistant surface

Decor pattern

HDF swell barrier plus core board, made of natural wood fibre

Balancer

Its strengths

Which properties characterise a laminate floor?

5

A laminate floor is attractive, resistant, and practical. It is not only quick and easy to install, maintain, and clean. It is also less expensive than real wood, it lasts longer than carpet, and is more flexible than parquet for interior design. Given that the floor is guaranteed against fading, even under direct or continuous exposure to sunlight, furniture can be moved around as often as desired, without exposing unsightly dark areas. It is even suitable for use with under floor heating. Laminate flooring reflects living trends, every collec-tion is adapted to the movement of the times. Today's variate print patterns and surfaces look so real that the panels can barely be distinguished from solid wood boards. For the good of nature: No trees are cut for manufacturing laminate flooring. Leftovers from the timber industry are recycled instead.

Solid wood parquet consists of wooden planks. It is permanently installed. After installation, the surface must be treated. Service life is long, but costs are high.

Veneer parquet is a thin, surface-treated wood layer on a core board. It is cheaper than solid wood, and installation is easier. However, it cannot be sanded.

Vinyl floors, also called design floors are often chosen due to wear resistance and low installa-tion height.

Other floor coverings

Laminate floors are lightfast.Laminate flooring shows resis-tance to UV rays and performs well compared to parquet, carpet, PVC, and linoleum.

Good to know

6

Quality & costs

The deeper the texture, the higher the anti-slip effect: A textured surface structure ensures slip resistance.

Good to know

What causes the price differences for laminate?

7

The materials and processing of all products determines the price and quality. The thickness and quality grade of the HDF core. board play a central role with laminate flooring. Other factors include unusual formats, trendy decors, authentic looks,or an innovative installation system. In addition, the produc-

tion location and expertise of the manufacturer can also influence costs. All EGGER laminate flooring is Made in Germany, and manufactured with high quality, low-emission core boards. Thanks to pioneering technology, the surface structure takes on the print pattern with great precision.

6

8 11 QUALITY MADE IN GERMANY

QUALITYMADE IN GERMANY

Whether in a bedroom, doctor's practice, hallway, or café – laminate flooring can be used almost anywhere. Standardised use classes help with the selection of the right covering. They are based on the degree of stress and the type of use. With classifications of 31 to 33,

all Megafloor flooring is suitable for use in commercial areas, and therefore automatically for private areas. The only exceptions are wet rooms, such as bathrooms and saunas, where they should not be used. However, kitchens within the home are not a problem.

Which laminate flooringis suitable for what?

Application areas

9

SyMbol DESCRIPTIoN EXAMPlES oF USE

RESIDENTIALmoderate

part-time usebedrooms, guest rooms

normal part-time useliving rooms, dining rooms, interior hallways

highintensive, increased use

entrance halls, kitchens, entire living areas

COMMERCIALmoderate

part-time usehotel rooms, conference rooms, small offices

normal normal useoffices, waiting rooms, boutiques

highintensive, increased use

large surface offices, department stores, multi-purpose halls

Classes of use

Classifications in both (residential) and (commercial) make it easier for the consumer to decide which product is suitable for which area of use.

Higher use classes also cover all those requirements which must be met by a floor which is assigned to a lower class.

Good to know

The perfect system

What else do I need?

A system that fits

11

If you want to install a laminate floor on a mineral subsoil, you start with a vapour barrier. The next step is the right underlay mat. It should not be thinner than two millimetres, and must correspond to the situation, such as an existing floor heating system. The adequate floor is installed on this mat. Highly developed connection systems

such as JUST clic! and UNI fit! simplify installation for experi-enced handymen; the boards are simply pressed into each other lengthways. The skirting boards finish it off. They are available in the colour of the laminates or in white, to be painted the colour of the wall. A cleaner suitable for laminate floors is recommended for maintenance.

Footfall sound

Audible echoes

PE film

Floor

Laminate flooring

Underlay

Nature & health

PEFCRenewable raw materials save re-sources, in particular if the wood comes from sustainably mana-ged forests. The core boards are made of sawing by-products such as wood shavings and chips.

Blauer Engel (Blue Angel)A laminate floor does not contain PVC or softener, the binders used

are ecologically safe. It can be fully recycled once the time comes to dispose of it.

EPD The entire lifecycle assessment can also be read in the inde-pendent environmental product declarations (EPDs). EPDs are based on international standards.

Is a laminate floor environmentally friendly?

Consumption* DESIGN FlooR(lVT)

CERAMIC TIlES

lAMINATE-FlooR

Non-renewable energy sources

210 165 106

Freshwater in litres 60 75 25

The lifecycle assessment of laminate floors

* Energy and water consumption for the production of 1 m²

A laminate floor has very low emissions, and therefore guarantees healthy ambient air.People with allergies also be-nefit from the hygienic cleaning process.

Good to know

13

Interior design

The colour and structure of the floor can strongly influence the look of a room, or even change it.

Brightness levelBright wood tones reflect the light. They make the room seem wider and more open, while dark tones make the room seem more compact. This effect can be

strengthened or weakened with a feature colour on one or more of the walls.

GrainRustic floors with strong colour clashes can make the room seem more lively, while a uniform de-cor pattern can calm the room.

Which decorhas which effect?

15

Direction of installation Transversely laid flooring boards make a surface seem wider, while longitudinally laid boards can make the room seem longer.Floors with two or four way bevels further strengthen this effect. In general, installation in the direction of the light is recommended.

Visual dividersA laminate floor can act as a room divider through the com-bination of two different decors. This illusion divides large, open spaces into individual living

spaces, such as dining rooms and lounge areas with sofas and a coffee table.

Colour recommendationsIf you've found your dream floor, you must answer an important question: Does the laminate floo-ring match the wall and seating arrangements of your room? The answer can be found online. The virtual room planner Megafloor 3D Studio makes it possible to freely combine floors, furniture, and wall colours. Of course, for free, and without a lengthy registration.

The room planner, 3D Studio, can be found at www.mega-floor.com:How does the same room work with different floors?

Megafloor 3D Studio

EGGER Retail Products GmbH & Co. KG, Im Kissen 19, D-59929 Brilont +49 2961 770-0, f +49 2961 770-62919, info-bri@egger.com

Check list

Have you decided on laminate flooring?you still need to consider the followingwhen planning your installation:

Laminate flooring

Saw, hand square, hammer, wall spacer, crowbar, tapping block, tape measure, pencil, tape

Installation tools

Underlay mat

Linear metre

Doorstop

No. of pieces

m² + 10% cut-off

Vapour barrier

Linear metre

Acrylic joint filler

No. of pieces

Linear metre

Skirtings

Laminate floor cleaner

Heater rosettes

No. of pieces

Internal, external corners, connectors for skirtings No. of pieces

No. of pieces

Fastening for skirtings Clips, nails, adhesive, ...

Transition, adjustment, and end profiles

No. of pieces

No. of pieces

EN_1065269_01/2015, Subject to technical modifications and amendments.