laminate flooring FAQs

Q: What is Scotia? Why do I need it?

A: Scotia, sometimes referred to as quad or beading is a timber moulding trim used on the base of walls to cover the expansion gap required when installing any floating floor. National Tiles stocks more than 30 colours of Scotia to ensure a close match to your National Tiles Laminate Flooring.

Q: I don’t want to use Scotia, are there other options?

A: Yes, skirting boards can be used. In a new house it is best to install the flooring before the skirting is installed. In existing houses, the skirting boards will need to be removed, the flooring installed and then the skirting boards reinstalled with a small gap to the surface of the floor to allow the floor to move as it should . The skirting boards act in the same way as Scotia; covering the expansion gap required when installing any floating floor.

Q: Can National Tiles Laminate Flooring be siliconed instead of using scotia or skirting?

A: No, the floor is designed to be a floating floor and needs to contract and expand as one, silicone will pin the floor and not allow it to move as it should.

Q: Why do I need a 10-12mm expansion gap around my floor?

A: All floating floors expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, the 10-12mm gap stops the floor from expanding into the wall, causing the floor to raise in the middle and possibly fail.

Q: Is National Tiles Laminate Flooring suitable in wet areas?

A: No, National Tiles Laminate Flooring is water resistant, but it is not waterproof. Prolonged exposure to water may cause damage to the floor.

Q: Will my National Tiles Laminate Flooring scratch?

A: National Tiles Laminate Flooring is scratch resistant; each range has a different level of abrasion resistance. Chalet is rated AC4, Chalet is rated Light Commercial.

Q: Will high heels mark my National Tiles Laminate Flooring?

A: Yes, High heels can damage the laminate and will not be covered by the warranty

Q: What is the warranty on National Tiles Laminate Flooring and what does it cover?

A: National Tiles offers a 30 year Residential Warranty and a 8 Year Commercial Warranty on the Chalet range of National Tiles Laminate Flooring. Please refer to the warranty flyer for information on what is covered by the warranty.

Q: Can I send a refinish National Tiles Laminate Flooring?

A: No, National Tiles Laminate Flooring, like all laminate, is printed replica of timber flooring, sanding laminate may remove the printed surface and expose the HDF core. This will not only compromise the look of the product, it will also compromise the water resistance qualities of the floor.

Q: Can National Tiles Chalet Laminate flooring be cleaned with a steam mop.

A: Yes you can. If necessary, a suitable steam mop can be used on the National Tiles Chalet Laminate Flooring on a fortnightly basis. Overuse of steam mop on a continual basis is NOT RECOMMENDED.

Q: I have allergies, is National Tiles Laminate Flooring suitable?

A: Yes, National Tiles Laminate Flooring is easy to keep clean, will not add dust to the home and is rated VOC-E1.

Q: What is VOC-E1?

A: VOC stands for Volatile Organice Compound, VOCs are released by wood based materials, some VOCs are dangerous to human health. As such, the amount of VOCs released by a product is tested and rated, E1 represents a level of VOCs released that has been classed as safe

Q: I have seen cheaper laminates elsewhere, does National Tiles match prices?

A: Yes, National Tiles matches price on like for like product. National Tiles imports only high-quality laminate flooring, constructed with a HDF core. We offer a 30 year guarantee on our Chalet Laminate flooring.

Q: What is the difference between Laminate and Hybrid flooring?

A: The 2 products are completely different with few similarities, in short National Tiles Laminate is harder wearing and water resistant. National Tiles Hybrid is water proof and has a softer feel under foot.

Q: How much wastage do I need to allow?

A: National Tiles recommends 7% wastage. Some complicated installations with several small areas and multiple angles may require a higher wastage, or an installation with large open areas may require a lower wastage. It is also recommended to have one or two packs left over, just in case a board or section need to be repaired in the future.

Q: How long does National Tiles Laminate Flooring need to acclimatise for? Why does it need to acclimatise?

A: We recommend that National Tiles Laminate Flooring is left to acclimatise for 48 hours. The flooring is stored in a warehouse that is likely to have a different ambient temperature and humidity to your house. All timber products expand with higher temperatures and higher humidity levels, they conversely contract in lower temperatures and lower humidity levels. Leaving National Tiles Laminate Flooring in an environment that is similar to which it will be installed will stop the floor from excessively expanding or contracting after installation.

Q: What surfaces can National Tiles Laminate Flooring be installed over ?

A: National Tiles Laminate Flooring can be installed over any flat and solid floor. Floor preparation will be required if the sub floor is not solid and or flat.

Q: Can I install National Tiles Laminate Flooring over a heated slab?

A: Yes, National Tiles Laminate Flooring can be installed over hydronic in slab heating. Please refer to the installation guidelines on how to prepare your floor and use of underfloor heating after installation.

Q: How flat does the sub floor need to be to install National Tiles Laminate Flooring?

A: The subfloor must not have any variation greater than 3 millimetres over a 2 metre area. If the subfloor has any high or low points beyond this, they must be levelled prior to installation

Q: What is “sub floor prep”? Why do I need it?

A: Sub floor preparation (prep) is a generic term used to describe any sub floor levelling required for flooring installation. The sub floor is the substrate that the National Tiles Laminate Flooring will be installed over, this is normally concrete, tiles or yellow tongue particle board. The preparation normally completed is a self-levelling pour to fill low points, or a floor grind to remove high points.

Q: Does National Tiles Laminate Flooring require underlay?

A: Yes, the underlay provides several functions, firstly it reduces moisture rising from the subfloor into the Laminate Flooring. It reduces noise produced when walking on the floor. It also gives the floor a more natural feel when walked on.