FAQs

How durable are vinyl plank flooring?

At Mikes Carpets, all our products come with warranties from the manufacturer with some products having lifetime residential warranties and some limited commercial warranties. Contact one of our stores to know more.

Can I install vinyl plank flooring on top of other floating floors?

Yes, vinyl floors can be installed over any other floating floor provided the surface is relatively flat.

What are the advantages of choosing vinyl plank / luxury vinyl flooring?

High durability with very low maintenance
Enhanced digital photographic layer offers more authentic timber finish
100% waterproof and come with slip resistant surfaces
Anti-static and hygienic

What is vinyl plank or luxury vinyl flooring?

Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the best ways to upgrade your interiors. These are flexible tiles/planks manufactured from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)with very high durability and resilience. These are of the most maintenance-free floors and can provide a softer step compared to tiles. They do not need any underlay and are 100% waterproof. The planks are flexible and hence can withstand varying climatic conditions. Most often these are glued down to the floor. The hybrids are among the latest innovations in the flooring industry that blend the characteristics of vinyl planks and floating floors. The most important aspect of hybrid boards is that they can be easily installed using click-lock mechanism. The hybrid planks also include an inbuilt underlay that provides enhanced insulation against heat and sound.

What are the different finishing textures available in laminate flooring?

While choosing the type of finish and color for a laminate flooring itis important to consider the interior décor. Dark colors on matte finish are ideal for high foot-traffic areas while light colors with glossy finish can reflect more natural light and provide a more spacious effect on the room. The glossy finishing also provides a smooth step for the foot. The color and finish can be chosen to blend-in or standout with the wall colors and furniture in the room depending on your style.

What are the benefits of laminate flooring?

The beauty of a natural timber flooring remains a luxury for many. Laminate flooring enables to get the aesthetic looks of a natural timber floor on a more affordable price. Sometimes depending on the wood, the HDF laminate boards can endure wear and tear better. The laminates also offer better stain and fade resistance. This is a great choice for a house with lot of foot traffic such as hallways and lounge rooms etc. This also remains a popular choice for investment properties due to its ease of maintenance and durability.

What is a laminate floor?

A laminate floor is a budget friendly floating floor that is manufactured using glued HDF (High-Density Fibre) planks. Most often these are click-locked and are supported by an underlay. At Mikes Carpet we offer a range of underlay options that vary in thickness and insulation in compliance with BCA standards and fire rating requirements of different Body Corporates. Different manufacturers adopt different methods to manufacture the laminate floor boards. Most of them include three main layers:

Wear Layer: This is the top-most transparent layer that is primarily designed to withstand scratches and regular wear and tear.
Design Layer: This layer lies underneath the wear layer and depicts the photographic imitation of timber
Core Layer: This layer consists of the HDF core that provides the structural strength to the floor.

Laminate floors are generally water-resistant but not waterproof. This is one of the primary reasons that it is not recommended for wet areas.

Which is better laminate or engineered timber?

Laminate	Engineered Timber
Budget friendly	Comparatively expensive
Good scratch resistance and fade resistance	Susceptible to scratches
High resilience and ease of maintenance	High resilience andease of maintenance
Not suitable for wet areas	Not suitable for wet areas
Offers good finish but cannot match a timber floor	Offers great finish and sophistication.

What are the advantages of engineered timber flooring?

Eco-friendly choice: These floorboardsare more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Authentic timber finish: The top wear layer consists of authentic timber and hence provides the same finish as luxurious timber flooring.
Better resilience: These floors are more strong and sturdy owing to the engineered construction of the mid-layers. They can withstand higher moisture and temperatures.
Light on the pocket: Due to the engineered core construction, theyare more economical than traditional solid timber floors. Their locking mechanisms also reduces the installation costs

What is engineered timber?

An engineered timber is the next innovation in timber flooring after solid timber. These have been in use for some time now. They offer the advantages of timber flooring while eliminating some of its disadvantages. An engineered timber plank contains several layers and supplier adopt different methods in manufacturing them. They primarily consists of:

A top wear layerof authentic timber
Multiple mid-layers compressed filler boards
Base layer which serves as backing

The specific design of engineered timber means it offers a range of performance benefits over solid hardwood, such as stability and sustainability. Engineered timber floorboards can be incorporated into your home in exactly the same way as any solid hardwood, from basic flooring to feature walls, joinery or countertops. Two different ranges of timber are dissected below: Construction of European Oak: