HELP CENTER
Product Questions
Top Questions For Laminate
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Laminate is generally great for use in most indoor residential spaces on any level of the home. For more information:
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Yes, however, there are a few things to consider in this type of application. For more information:
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All of Floor & Decor’s laminate products have some level of scratch resistance indicated by their AC Rating. Please refer to this rating to know each product's level of resistance.
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For accurate information regarding IIC & STC ratings, we will need to know both the flooring product and the underlayment selected for installation. For more information:
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Our laminate flooring products are all floating floors meaning no glue or nails are needed. For more information:
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Since laminate flooring does not have a standard wear layer, the wear resistance in laminate flooring is measured by an Abrasion Coefficient rating or AC rating, 1 being the least resistant and 5 being the most resistant to wear. For more information:
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Water resistant is not the same as waterproof. For more information:
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Both laminate and vinyl flooring are man-made products, available in a variety of colors and styles. For more information:
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Water resistant products like HydroShield or waterproof products like AquaGuard Performance are great for bathrooms. For more information:
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When installing on concrete or cement subfloors, a 6-mil poly moisture barrier is required. For more information:
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Some products are approved for sunroom installations. For more information:
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Yes, laminate can be installed over existing subfloors. For more information:
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Laminate flooring is made by covering a High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) with melamine impregnated paper. For more information:
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Yes, we offer samples of most flooring. They are $3.00 and this includes shipping within the continental United States. Click here to learn more about our samples.
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Laminate flooring is long-lasting and highly durable. For more information:
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AC stands for Abrasion Class and is a wear rating that has been standardized by the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring). The AC rating measures the abrasion resistance of the floor which determines how well the floor will withstand day-to-day wear. For more information:
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EIR stands for Embossed in Register and is a method used by manufacturers to create the appearance of wood grain similar to real hardwood. This process intensifies the texture, depth, and appearance of the floor.
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Yes, you can order most of our products online to be shipped to you. Shipping charges are based on the weight of the order and the distance from the warehouse to your home. Charges can be seen during the checkout process.
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Laminate floors are a type of floating floor. This means they are not connected to the subfloor. For more information:
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Acclimation times vary on the manufacturer. Please refer to your installation instructions and warranty information for more details.
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It is important that laminate flooring to be able to expand and contract freely. Therefore, laminate floors should be cut to fit around heavy objects such as a bathtub, vanity, kitchen counter island, etc. Please see the installation instructions and warranty for more details.
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Yes, laminate can be installed over most embedded radiant heat systems as long as proper precautions are taken and installation instructions are followed.
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Traditional laminate is not water-resistant. AquaGuard Performance laminate is a water proof floor that can be installed in all wet rooms in the house such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms. For More Information:
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Yes, we offer coordinating moldings and transition pieces for laminate. Click here to find moldings for your flooring.
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Laminate is highly durable, but in order to keep your floor looking as new as day one, there are protective measures you can take. For more information:
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In addition to protective measures, we recommend cleaning your floors regularly. For more information:
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AquaGuard laminate has an AC 5 wear rating, except for some high gloss styles which have an AC 4 wear rating. The higher the AC rating, the higher the durability. AquaGuard laminate is perfect for residential and commercial use. AquaGuard laminate with an AC5 rating is also ideal for heavy traffic commercial use.
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AquaGuard laminate is pet-friendly with planks that are extremely durable. AquaGuard also comes with an expanded Pet Warranty. Please see warranty for details.
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AquaGuard Laminate will resist moisture damage, from wet mopping and everyday household spills, up to 30 hours. See warranty for details.
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AquaGuard can be installed in heavy-wear residential and commercial areas. The flooring is perfect for full bathrooms, kitchens, basements, mudrooms and laundry rooms.
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Yes, AquaGuard laminate can be installed over existing tile floors. The grout lines would need to be filled with a self-leveling compound, so the overall floor is leveled to 3/16 of an inch over a 10-foot linear span.
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Yes, AquaGuard laminate can be installed over concrete and plywood subfloors. Please note that an underlayment is required at all times. A moisture barrier is required on installations over concrete subfloors.
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Yes, the subfloor must be clean and level to 5mm (3/16”) within a 10-foot span. Please see details in the installation instructions.
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It is recommended to seal areas around tubs and showers with silicone caulk. Floor & Decor recommends Dap clear silicone sealant.
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AquaGuard laminate has coordinating moldings, including quarter round, T-molding, overlapping reducer, and overlapping stair nose. Click here to find the coordinating moldings for your flooring.
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In addition to regular sweeping, AquaGuard laminate can be wet-mopped, jet-mopped, or residential steam mopped. Please refer to the maintenance and care section of the installation instructions for more details.
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The base molding is the board covering the bottom of the interior wall, in the joint where the wall and the floor meet. For more information:
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Yes, every Saturday we offer free in-store installation classes. Each specified time is in local time.
- Wood & Laminate: 10am
- Backsplashes: 11am
- Tile & Stone Install: 2pm
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Wall base moldings cover the bottom of the interior wall, in the joint where the wall and the floor meet. For more information:
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A combination of a very tight locking system and moisture resistant edge bevel coating give HydroShield its high level of water and moisture resistance for up to 24 hours.
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Yes, the subfloor must be clean and level to 5mm (3/16”) within a 10-foot span. Please see details in your installation instructions.
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Laminate flooring cannot be refinished, but routine care paired with the durability of the laminate flooring will keep it looking great for years to come.
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All laminate products require the use of underlayment. For more information:
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HydroShield has coordinating moldings, including quarter round, T-molding, overlapping reducer, and overlapping stair nose. Click here to view our moldings.
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For best results, dust mop regularly. If the floor becomes visibly dirty, use a laminate flooring mop combined with a laminate flooring cleaning solution. It’s best to mist the mop head rather than the flooring. Using this practice will also preserve your laminate flooring cleaning solution. If needed, the floor can also be wet mopped.
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The expansion gap around the perimeter of the room must be sealed with 100% flexible silicone sealant following the installation instructions in order to create a watertight seal. Foam backer rod helps to fill the empty space in the room perimeter expansion gap and reduces the amount of 100% flexible silicone sealant needed during installation. It also helps to ensure the silicone sealant stays towards the surface to properly span the gap between the top of the HydroShield floor and the wall. Refer to the installation instructions and warranty for additional details.
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HydroShield is a wood-based laminate floor that is water-resistant for up to 24 hours and is highly durable with an AC4 wear rating. HydroShield laminate is rated for residential and commercial use. Please see installation instructions for details. Click here to view our selection of HydroShield laminate.
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Moldings, including transition pieces and quarter rounds, are not water resistant. Sealing them is important to maintain the water resistance of the flooring where moldings are used. See installation instructions for more details.
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HydroShield is a wood-based water-resistant Laminate floor. The core is made of HDF (High Density Fiberboard) which is made from wood. As a result, it acts and performs like wood in many ways including expanding and contracting. For more information:
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Fixed objects are items like floor to ceiling columns in the middle of a family or living room, islands in a kitchen, or toilets in a bathroom. Since they don’t move, if you were not to include the required expansion gap around them, you would likely experience the same conditions mentioned in the previous question, such as buckling or creaking.
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Yes, you can install HydroShield over concrete and plywood subfloors. Please note that an underlayment is required at all times and an additional moisture barrier is required on concrete subfloors. Click here to view our selection of underlayment.
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HydroShield can be installed in residential and commercial areas, and is warrantied for installation in full bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and basements. The flooring can be installed on all grade levels of your home. Please see the installation instructions and warranty for further installation details.
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