How to distinguish between good and bad laminate flooring?

Because laminate flooring is affordable and offers excellent value for money, market demand is very strong. With high demand and lucrative profits, many manufacturers and retailers have begun to exploit loopholes, failing to implement standardized and rigorous production processes. So how can consumers distinguish between good and bad laminate flooring when purchasing? Pay close attention to these key indicators!

thickness

Laminate flooring comes in different thicknesses, with 8mm and 12mm being the most common. 12mm flooring has a lower density than 8mm flooring and is less impact-resistant, but it feels more comfortable underfoot. From an environmental perspective, 8mm flooring has an advantage over 12mm flooring because it uses less adhesive per unit area, resulting in higher environmental performance.

Specification

Depending on different preferences, laminate flooring also varies in specifications. There are standard, wide, and narrow planks. Standard planks are 191-195mm wide and approximately 1200mm-1300mm long; wide planks are approximately 295mm wide and 1200mm long; narrow planks are approximately 100mm wide and 900-1000mm long. Planks that closely resemble solid wood flooring are often called imitation solid wood flooring.

The standard specifications are adopted by most members of the European Flooring Manufacturers Association. my country's imported, most advanced laminate flooring processing lines also use these standard specifications. The vast majority of products from large-scale laminate flooring manufacturers using imported processing lines still adhere to these standard specifications.

Wide planks are a unique invention by Chinese companies to meet consumer demand. Because they are wider, they appear more spacious and offer a wider variety of patterns and colors, allowing for greater flexibility and fewer gaps between planks. However, they can result in greater color variation and have less resistance to ultraviolet rays.

Narrow planks are also a specialty of my country. They resemble solid wood flooring, have the same specifications, are much cheaper, and are more stable than solid wood flooring. The V-groove design makes them indistinguishable from the real thing. With a thickness of 12mm, they are very popular in the market.

Environmental friendly

Laminate flooring is the cheapest of all flooring types, but its environmental performance is also the most worrying. This is indeed the case. The third layer of laminate flooring is the core layer, fiberboard, which is made by crushing logs, adding glue, preservatives, and additives, and then pressing them under high temperature and pressure. Therefore, it is highly susceptible to formaldehyde contamination.

Formaldehyde emission is a crucial indicator affecting environmental protection standards. Currently, the environmental protection standards for wood flooring on the market are mainly divided into E0 and E1 grades. E0 is the international standard, with formaldehyde concentrations lower than E1, making it an environmentally friendly product. Moganshan Flooring's new laminate flooring launched in 2020, the Chunhua Qiushi II generation, uses brand-new environmentally friendly materials, boasts ultra-low formaldehyde emissions, and exceeds environmental standards, making the new E0 grade even more environmentally friendly.

Consumers should note that there are many more factors to consider when purchasing laminate flooring than just those mentioned above. Choosing a reputable brand is crucial, as they possess stringent production processes, rigorous testing standards, comprehensive quality certifications, and attentive customer service. Quality living demands meticulous attention to detail!