Q.   Can I remove scratches from my floor

A.   The honest answer is no not really.  Try taking a cloth made dirty with some old cooking oil and wiping it over the floor.  Essentially you are trying to dirty the white scratch.  Chips can be repaired using a hot wax filler but scratches are generally there to stay.  You could also try a permanent marker of the same colour as your floor.

Q.   Why is some flooring so much cheaper than others.

A.   Price is dependant on what goes into the product,  Fiat Uno versus Golf versus Audi versus Mercedes, the same rule applies to laminates.  Core density is typically what makes some floors much cheaper than others. This means how much wood fibre goes into making up the core (main part) of the floor. Pick up a cheap floor versus an expensive one and you will feel a definate difference in weight. The result of a lighter floor or a less dense floor are several fold but most typically,  after the floor has been layed for 6 months or more and it has started to absorb surrounding moisture and grow,  the long edges and short joins of the planks start to push against each other.  In a soft floor the edges will start to peak slightly, you can feel this when you run your fingers over the edge.  This also happens when the floor is layed too long without expansion joints.  On a denser floor the edges will not lift and the floor edges will remain flat well into its lifespan.

Q.   How thick is your flooring

A.   This is one of the largest misconceptions when it comes to choosing a laminate floor product. The thickness of the flooring is NOT what determines the strength of the product.  Laminate flooring is made from wood fibre,  the quantity of this fibre when compressed will determine the density of the product for example 850kg per cubic metre. The amount of fibre in the core of the floor will determine the final thickness of the flooring, generally 7 – 10mm.  The denser the floor the more stable it is, the less susceptible to impact, moisture, expansion ect.  Laminate floor density ranges from 500 to over 1000kg/m3.

Q. Can you install laminate floor on top of tiles ?

A.  Yes ! Laminate can be laid directly on to most tiled floors.  Tiles must of course be firmly stuck down, and must be level.  Problems can occur at doorways or entrance ways where the new floor is higher than the floor in the adjoining area (for example passage to bathroom).  Several different doorway profiles are available for this purpose.  If the tiles are uneven,  levelling can be done using pavelite and a bonding liquid.

Q. Why does laminate floor sound “clucky” or hollow ?

A. This depends on two possible causes :  1. The sub floor was not levelled prior to installation, or 2. Standard airothene foam has been used as underlay.  90% of all our installations have either been installed with a silent system foam underlay or a floor that already has silent system foam factory fitted to the underside of the board.  (this is first prize)  Logically the closer your floor sits to the sub floor the better.  The hollow sound is as a result of your foot pressure pushing the air away as you walk.   Our advice is SPEND a little bit extra for silent system underaly or floor,  the walk is firmer quieter and overall more pleasant.

Q. How do I clean my laminate floor.

A. Please refer to Installation and care !

Q. What is the best floor on the market ?

A. Hard to answer ! as there are many options. Our products of choice are Pergo and Quick step.  There are many other brands equitable to these but we prefer to deal with companies whose service and integrity matches our own.   Generally you do get what you pay for.  In our experience if you are paying less than R200 per sq/m, you are buying a cheap product.

Q. How is laminate in the kitchen ?

A. Excellent if you choose the right product and grade.  Laminate is buy its nature softer underfoot than tile, it is also warmer.  Of course you must wipe spills as they happen.  Good quality floors do not stain at all and generally have excellent heat resistance for hot oils etc.  We recommend using a mat close to the sink if the floor is getting repeatedly wet !

Q. How is laminate on stairs ?

A. Beautiful !  see our Gallery pics for examples !  Installation quality is imperative,  get references from your potential supplier and take 10 minutes to call previous customers.  A staircase can be a major feature of the home or can be an eyesore if poorly installed.