Laminate flooring has been a proven building product for many years. In addition, so-called multilayer coverings are becoming increasingly important, they are sometimes also referred to as design floor coverings. The regulations that came into force in August 2014, DIN EN 16511, describe them as "Panels for floating installation - Semi-rigid, multi-layer, modular floor coverings (MMF) with abrasion-resistant top layer". In addition to polymer surfaces with a deceptively real wood, metal, stone or individual look, they are also available with a carpet overlay and with top layers made of natural materials such as real wood, linoleum, pressed cork or leather.
Elastic and textile floor coverings in sheet form, parquet and plank floors made of solid wood and floors made of plant fibres such as aloe or coconut are not the subject of this bauwion knowledge page.
edge execution: In some laminate and multilayer floors, the sculptural effect of the individual planks is particularly emphasised by chamfered edges, which makes them look even more authentic in relation to the recreated original (e.g. wood or stone). In the case of blunt and densely jointed edges, on the other hand, the individual elements tend to appear together as a homogeneous surface.
Load class: With regard to their possible use, laminate and multilayer flooring is divided into different stress classes according to DIN EN ISO 10874 (formerly DIN EN 685), see also lexicon article ► Classes according to DIN EN ISO 10874. A distinction is made between private use (classes 21 - 23) and public/commercial use (classes 31 - 34). For laminate flooring, the load classes are also included in DIN EN 13329. During planning and execution, care must be taken to ensure that the load class of the product corresponds to the intended use, otherwise increased wear and tear is to be expected due to use and there are no warranty claims against the manufacturer.
Fire behaviour: Most laminate and multilayer flooring is classified as flame retardant according to the manufacturer's technical data sheets, according to DIN 4102 or DIN EN 13501. However, without testing, laminate flooring according to DIN EN 14041 Table 1 only corresponds to class Efl (normally flammable) according to DIN EN 13501 (when laid loosely on a wood material board of class D-s2, d0 or better or on any carrier board of at least class A2-s1, d0).
Slip resistance: Depending on the installation location and use, floor coverings often have requirements for tested and classified slip resistance. For more information, see Encyclopedia Articles ► Slip Resistance according to GUV-R 181.
Plinth formation: The plinth formation for laminate and multilayer floor coverings is usually carried out with commercially available wood or plastic profiles.
Suitability for chair castors: The suitability of the floor covering for chair castors, usually type W in accordance with DIN EN 12529 (castors with elastic tread for hard floor coverings), must be specified by the manufacturer, if necessary.
Suitability for damp rooms: The suitability of the floor covering for damp or wet rooms must be specified by the manufacturer, if necessary. Standard products are usually not suitable for this, but there are both laminate flooring and multilayer coverings that are approved by the manufacturer for installation in damp rooms, e.g. in domestic bathrooms.
Underfloor heating: In principle, it is possible to combine underfloor heating with laminate or multilayer flooring, but the respective product must be expressly approved by the manufacturer for installation on underfloor heating. Restrictions of the manufacturer may have to be observed, e.g. with regard to the maximum permissible surface temperature or the use of electric underfloor heating.
Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): Construction products for indoor use may only release very limited quantities of total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are hazardous to health. For more information, see Lexicon article ► VOC emission behaviour of construction products.
the substrate: Laminate and multilayer floors are not suitable as self-supporting floors on beamed ceilings, but require a full-surface and vibration-free load-bearing substrate. This must be free of coarse impurities, major unevenness or cracks. The executing company gem. VOB must also report concerns in the event of a subsoil that is too moist, an incorrect altitude or an unsuitable temperature of the subsoil, an unsuitable indoor climate or a lack of protrusion of the edge insulation strips. If it is necessary to smooth the substrate with a filler or levelling compound before laying the floor covering and more than 1 mm must be levelled or filled over the entire surface, which is almost always the case with construction site screeds as a substrate, this is a special service for which the executing company is entitled to a separate remuneration according to VOB C DIN 18365. The service should therefore be included in the tender specifications, as far as can be identified, at the time of the invitation to tender.
Requirements of the respective product for the flatness of the substrate must be taken into account. As a rule, these are even higher for (thin-layer) MMF floor coverings with a polymer base layer than for MMF floor coverings with a wood-based base layer and laminate floors.
Requirements for underlay materials under multi-layer modular floor coverings are compiled in the "Technical Data Sheet TM 1" of the ►MMFA (Association of Multilayer Modular Floor Coverings).
Readiness for covering: Laying work on a screed may only begin when it is fully ready for covering. More information on this on the bauwion knowledge page ►400 | Construction site screeds.
Installation: VOB C DIN 18365 provides for the covering of the substrate with a PE film, ≥ 0.2 mm thick, overlapping and loosely laid. However, the manufacturer's instructions must also be observed as to whether impact sound insulation and/or a vapour barrier may or must be underneath. The exact installation conditions differ from product to product due to the very different structures and materials. Some multilayer floor coverings may also require full-surface bonding to the substrate.
Movement joints: Movement joints made of layers below the pavement, e.g. from the screed or the shell, must be incorporated into the covering in the same width, see also Lexicon article Movement joints in floor construction. The joint is then covered either with elastic joint sealant or a corresponding profile. In principle, movement joints of 8 – 12 mm must be adhered to on laminate and multilayer floor coverings on rising components and to undermine larger areas (from approx. 8 x 12 m).
Cleaning/care: Cleaning and care must be carried out according to the recognised rules of building cleaning, incorrect cleaning measures can lead to hygiene and slippery problems as well as to visual impairment and depreciation of the floor covering. Tailored to the respective product, the manufacturer provides cleaning and care instructions, which must be handed over to the customer in writing gem. VOB C DIN 18365. As a rule, this includes instructions for final construction cleaning, intensive cleaning (basic cleaning), ongoing cleaning (maintenance cleaning) and the appropriate cleaning agents and equipment for this purpose. The effect of chemical substances such as cleaning agents and disinfectants should be tested on a covering pattern or an inconspicuous area of the floor before use, as chemicals of all kinds can cause permanent damage and discoloration in elastic floor coverings.
DIN 18365 VOB Procurement and Contract Regulations for Construction Services - Part C General Technical Contract Conditions for Construction Services (ATV) - Flooring work
DIN EN 13329 Laminate flooring - Elements with a top layer based on aminoplastic, heat-curable resins - Specifications, requirements and test methods
DIN EN 14041 Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings - Essential properties
DIN EN 14085 Resilient floor coverings - Specification for floor panels for loose installation
DIN EN 14342 Wooden floors and parquet - Properties, assessment of conformity and marking
DIN EN 14354 Wood-based materials - Veneered floor coverings
DIN EN 14978 Laminate flooring - Elements with an electron-beam-cured acrylic-based top layer - Specifications, requirements and test methods
DIN EN 15468 Laminate flooring - Direct-printed elements with synthetic resin top layer - Specifications, requirements and test methods
DIN EN 16511 Panels for floating installation - Semi-rigid, multi-layer, modular floor coverings (MMF) with abrasion-resistant top layer
ISO 14486 Laminate flooring – Requirements
DIN EN ISO 10874 Elastic, textile and laminate floor coverings – Classification
►Association of multi-layered modular floor coverings (MMFA), Bielefeld
Source: bauwion
