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Karma Flooring

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs


There are several things to consider before you begin to install laminate flooring. Careful preparation before beginning will make installing your laminate flooring a quick and easy process.

Ensure that your subfloor is flat, dry, and smooth.

Always use a rubber underlay with moisture barrier under your laminate floor for extra comfort and stability.

Read the laminate flooring manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully because if it not installed to manufacturer standards, the warranty may not be covered.

Allow your laminate flooring to acclimatize to the room where it will be installed for as long as possible (min. 48 hours). Make sure the boxes are laid flat.

Inspect each laminate flooring panel carefully for defects or damage before installing it.

Installing Laminate Flooring –  ‘How-To’ Guide

A  step by step guide for installing our laminate flooring is provided in each box.

All laminate flooring products from Karma Flooring have an AC5 rating (suitable for all residential applications in addition to heavy commercial applications such as hotel rooms and small offices).

Avoid sharp or pointed objects with concentrated weight such as high heels on your laminate flooring.

Use protective felt pads under furniture and lift (don’t drag furniture over the floor). Our laminated flooring has the highest scratch resistance of AC5, so if you use common sense, you will get years of enjoyment from your laminate flooring.

No, all carpet and padding should be removed completely prior to installation.

All Laminate floors sold by Karma Flooring are premium quality products at factory direct prices. The laminate flooring self-locking tongue-and-groove click system have exceptional joint integrity and are designed for easy, glue-free installation. All edges are protected against an ingress of moisture by an environment-friendly wax finish. All laminate floors from Karma Flooring meet stringent standards for resistance to moisture, wear, fading, and staining. After installation, the floor can be walked on immediately.

You can save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by buying from us. If you do your research on price, quality and features included, you’ll soon realise what your best choice will be.

High density fibreboard, HDF, is a high-density, moisture-resistant fiber panel. It is made of wood residues (sawdust, shavings and wood chips) from wood processing factories. This ligneous material is ground into a pulp to which a resin is added. This pulp is then dried and pressed into panels.

Because laminate flooring is derived from wood, it is subject to expansion caused by room temperatures and humidity levels. An expansion gap is a necessary part of any successful installation because it allows space for the expansion of the floor as it responds to these external influences of temperature and humidity.

When it is exposed to warmer temperatures, or to increased humidity, laminate flooring planks expand outward. Leaving out the essential element of an outside gap can cause the buckling of the individual laminate flooring planks as the planks push outward against walls or other obstacles. It is recommended to leave a 10mm gap between the edge of floorboard and wall for any expansion due to varying humidity.

In an average installation, approximately 5% -7% of the total area to be covered will be offcuts. This does vary according the layout of the rooms.

To decide where to begin the layout of your floor, consider incoming light. It is usually best to install laminate flooring with the planks running parallel to light coming in windows or glass doors. For any installation, the starting wall should be as long and straight as possible.

A floating floor is a floor built with all its parts attached to each other but with none of these component parts fixed to the supporting floor. Virtually all laminate flooring is installed as floating floors.

Laminate flooring is an extremely versatile flooring product. It can be installed over wood or concrete subfloors. It is not recommended that laminate flooring be installed in wet locations such as bathrooms, washrooms, saunas, enclosed porches or verandas, or anywhere that may require wet-mopping. Extended exposure to moisture of this type may cause the core of your laminate flooring to warp or swell.

Concrete floors below ground are capable of storing a vast amount of water. It is crucial to avoid all direct contact between the laminate flooring and the concrete floor because the soil beneath the concrete can transmit humidity into the floor. Installing a moisture barrier over all concrete surfaces is mandatory for a successful installation and for the ongoing health of a laminate floor.

Karma flooring uses only the UNILIN V-Groove single click system. Made with patented German technology, our floorboards have a 1 click locking system which will provide you years of trouble-free flooring.

Importantly, our products carry the L2C label which guarantees consistency in the locking system and is only distributed to manufacturers who abide by strict guidelines in the use of the Unilin patented click system.

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Engineered timber flooring is usually made up of plywood at the bottom while hardwood is used at the top. Laminate flooring, on the other hand makes use of synthetic materials which are made with a mixture of fibreboard. These floors look similar but have got a number of differences. Engineered timber flooring and laminate flooring provide great durability with resistance to moisture and other environmental conditions making both of them perfect for use in homes and commercial applications.

Laminate flooring has a lifetime which ranges between 15 years to 30 years. Engineered flooring, on the other hand, has the appearance of wood which has been used to make its top layer, but the bottom layer is HDF, MDF or a low-grade wood. Installation of laminate flooring is quite simple and easy to handle. However, engineered flooring takes more time and effort for installation which mostly requires professional assistance, whilst laminate flooring can be installed either by a professional or DIY’er.

Laminate flooring has a high scratch resistant (depending on AC rating), and is perfect for busy households with children and pets.

AC hardness ratings are a standardized measure adopted by The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (ELPF). The AC measure rates abrasion resistance, impact resistance, resistance to staining and cigarette burns, and thickness swelling along edges. If a laminate flooring cannot meet the requirements for each of these ratings, approval for a given AC rating will be denied.

AC1 is suitable for lighter, more infrequent traffic, e.g. a bedroom.

AC2 is suitable for general residential use in living rooms and dining rooms.

AC3 can be applied to more varied locations, such as small offices and other light commercial location.

AC4 can be installed in higher traffic commercial areas such as boutiques, busier offices, and restaurant.

AC5 is more durable still and can withstand the traffic of heavier commercial areas such as department stores and public buildings.

Laminate flooring is a versatile, durable, attractive floor with the appearance of a real timber floor. Although laminate flooring looks like wood flooring, there is actually no solid wood used in its construction. Laminate flooring is made up of several materials bonded together under high pressure.

Most laminate flooring consists of a moisture resistant layer under a layer of HDF (high density fibreboard). This is topped with a high resolution photographic image of natural wood. It is then finished with an extremely hard, clear coating made from a special resin-coated protection layer.

Laminate flooring is perfect for anyone wanting a durable floor for a fraction of the price and quick installation time compared to a solid timber floor. The construction also makes laminate flooring more environment-friendly as it uses less wood compared to solid timber.

Laminate flooring is a beautiful, low maintenance, long-lasting floor. There are several simple steps that you can take to keep your laminate flooring clean and to ensure that you get many years of service from it.

A damp cloth or mop can be used without damaging the laminate flooring panels, but do not use excessive water. Dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. Do not use soap-based detergents, or abrasive cleaners. There is no need to wax or polish your laminated flooring.

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Google Rating
4.9
Based on 80 reviews
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