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Questions about our different type of products?
Have a look at the most frequently asked questions about BerryAlloc®.
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Laminate
FAQ
General information
What is a laminate made of?
A laminate floor consists of:
1. An overlay that determines the strength and resistance of your floor
2. A decor paper for the design
3. A high-density fibreboard (HDF) core
4. A counterbalance to stabilise and protect the HDF core
5. The hydro+ water-repellent coating*
(*) Only available for our Ocean+ collections
General
Why would I choose a laminate floor?
With so many different flooring choices available, it can be a struggle to figure out which floor suits your lifestyle best. Why laminate then? This type of floor brings you many advantages. It’s an affordable and easy-maintenance alternative for other hardwood flooring options – with equally beautiful wood looks and the added bonus of being extremely scratch resistant. And these good looks won’t fade, since laminate floors are completely UV resistant. It’s also 100% water resistant, giving you the opportunity to recreate a wonderfully natural theme throughout your entire home. Plus, DIYers will be happy to hear that the installation is simple and straightforward. A stress-free solution for a happy home!
Installation
In which rooms can I install a laminate floor?
We’ve got floors for all kinds of rooms! The wear class, which you’ll find on the packaging and in the technical guide, indicates the durability of your floor and the areas for which it’s best suited. This classification always combines residential and commercial use together (ex: 23/32). All our laminate floors for residential use are class 23, which means they are suitable for all areas inside your home: bedrooms, home offices, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, (entry) hallways, and kitchens… you name it!
As for commercial use, our laminate floors fall into two classes. Our Ocean 12 V4 and Ocean 12 XL are categorised as class 33 and are suitable for heavy commercial use, for areas such as large offices, shopping malls, and classrooms. All our other collections are class 32 and are suitable for general commercial use. They can be installed in areas such as waiting areas, hotel lobbies and rooms, stores, conference rooms, and offices.
Need a water-resistant floor for a specific room? Our Ocean+ collection is 100% water-resistant with the right hydro+ accessories.
Installation
Can I install my new laminate floor on top of my old existing one?
This depends on the floor that’s already present. It cannot be installed on top of a carpeted floor, as this is too soft and can cause damage to the locking system. It can be installed on top of a tiled floor, a hard vinyl floor, or a wooden floor, but only if this floor is completely level and flat. However, using an underlay will help level out minimal height differences and can help reduce noise.
Not sure what to do? It’s always better to remove your old floor and create a new, flat base. The quality of your subfloor plays a very important role in the overall installation result.
Visit our support page for more information.
Installation
Can I install laminate on top of underfloor heating/cooling?
Yes, you can! Both waterborne and electrical systems are compatible with a laminate floor. You’ll find a detailed installation manual for underfloor heating/cooling on
our support page.
Installation
What steps should I follow when installing my new laminate floor?
Once you’ve acquired your new BerryAlloc floor, the following steps will help you achieve a successful installation:
Prior to installation
- Carefully read the installation instructions prior to installation
- Let your floor acclimatise to the room for at least 48 hours before starting installation
- Check if your subfloor is dry, level, and clean
- Place the right underlay (for a floating installation and only for collections without attached pad)
During installation
- Your floor should be installed at a room temperature of 18-25°C and a relative humidity of 40-60%
- Install your floor according to the installation instructions
- Use our hydro+ kit for a 100% water-resistant installation when placing an Ocean+ laminate floor
- Install the profiles
After installation
- Install the skirtings
- Use our Laminate Cleaner to lean your new floor to remove all traces of dust and debris from the installation
Installation
Why does my laminate floor first need to acclimatise to the room before installation?
As mentioned, a laminate floor will expand or shrink depending on room climate conditions. Temperature and humidity can differ between the storage place and installation area. If the planks are installed immediately upon arrival, they still need to adapt to the room. The expansion or shrinking that follows can cause an uneven floor that can damage the locking system. Avoid these issues by giving the planks a suitable amount of time (at least 48 hours) to acclimatise to the room. They will have performed the necessary expansion behaviour by then, with a successful installation as a result.
Installation
Why do I need to use an underlay with my laminate floor?
An underlay is a vital part of your installation and can greatly improve the success of your installation.
A suitable laminate underlay provides the following elements:
- A steady base by levelling out minor irregularities in the subfloor. This protects the locking system and helps prevent creaking
- Reduces walking sound and sound transmission to a lower-level room
- Extra protection against daily wear and tear (walking, falling objects, furniture…)
- Includes a moisture barrier to protect your floor from seasonal humidity changes in your subfloor
Always make sure to use an underlay that is suitable for laminate flooring. We strongly advise you to use a BerryAlloc underlay, as these are manufactured to best support our floors.
Keep in mind that you do not need to use an underlay when installing our Ocean 8 PA floors, as this collection already includes an integrated underlay.
For more information, visit our accessories page.
Installation
Why should I install laminate as a floating floor?
Laminate consists of at least 80% organic wood materials. This means it expands and shrinks depending on room climate conditions. A ‘floating’ installation is not attached to the subfloor (not glued) and allows the floor to move according to the necessary expansion behaviour. To allow this behaviour, you’ll need to leave an expansion gap of at least 8 – 10 mm between your floor and all fixed constructions during installation. This is also the reason why you cannot install a laminate floor underneath fixed constructions, such as kitchen cabinets or built-in closets.
Installation
How do I install a laminate floor?
The installation method depends on the locking system and the laying pattern (e.g. herringbone). You’ll find a step-by-step manual and installation video available for all laminate locking systems on our support page.
Installation
How should I install my Chateau floor: floating or glued?
Chateau can be installed as a floating floor, or can be fully glued to the subfloor, depending on the floor pattern. However, we strongly recommend applying a fast-drying wood glue to both short sides of the planks for optimal floor stability. Make sure to thoroughly read the installation manual before installing your floor, which you can download on our support page.
Maintenance
How do I maintain my new BerryAlloc floor?
Keep your floor looking brand new with these simple tips
and tricks:
- Place a doormat at the entrance of your home to avoid bringing in dirt or moisture
- Add felt pads to your chair and table legs
- Use a clear plastic mat for under your office chair
- Clean any spilled liquids as soon as possible
You’ll find our Care & Maintenance manual available on our support page.