According to the recommendations, they should not exceed 8 m. linear in the transverse direction of the placement (at the width of the FAUS pieces), nor the 12 m. in the longitudinal direction (along the length of the FAUS parts).
If these recommended dimensions are exceeded in the installation, intermediate expansion joints must be installed. It is also necessary to place intermediate joints in the doorways.
In L-, T-, U-shaped rooms or similar, we must also place joints to facilitate the expansion of the product.
When installing FAUS laminate flooring, the main light source (window, door) must be taken into account.
It is advisable to install it parallel to the direction in which the light enters the room.
We must also take as a reference that the starting wall of the installation is as long and straight as possible (to minimize false squares, etc.).
Sometimes it is necessary to trim the first row of shingles to give it the shape of a crooked wall.
Once we have installed the first three rows of slats, we will proceed to approach this set to the walls, we must ensure that the perimeter joints of 10 mm. are maintained around the perimeter.
Once we have located the floor assembly, we will make a small piece with a hole distanced from the edge about 5 cm. (the distance will depend on the depth of the irregularity of the wall). We will use this piece to pass along the wall with the pencil inserted into the hole to mark the entire first row of slats, thus transferring the irregular shape of the wall to the slats.
Once the pieces have been marked, we will proceed to disassemble the first row of pieces in order to cut and shape the slats. When they are cut, mount them in the same position and bring the floor assembly closer to the wall, always remembering to leave the 10 mm. perimeter joint. This procedure is valid and the same for the possible irregularities of the wall in the last row.
If the irregularities of the wall are less than 10 mm:
- We must install all the pieces of the last row, but initially bringing them closer to the wall without taking into account the 10mm. expansion joint.
- To mark the irregularities of the wall on the slats we will make a piece with the hole 10 mm from the edge.
- Once the slats have been marked, we will proceed to disassemble them one by one and cut them along the line, each slat must be fitted in the same position in which it was previously.
This process will result in a 10 mm perimeter joint.
In case of irregularities greater than 10mm. :
- The slats should be positioned without interlocking on top of the last row installed.
- We will make a piece with the hole distanced from the edge according to the major irregularity of the wall.
- Once the slats have been marked, we will proceed to disassemble them one by one and cut them along the line, each slat must be fitted in the same position in which it was previously.
All this process will result in a perimeter joint of 10 mm. all around the wall.
One of the most important points in a floating laminate floor installation is the placement of the different accessories so that the installation complies with all the requirements recommended by the manufacturer.
Installing an expansion joint or any other type of joint is very simple. These accessories are provided with a plastic base that must be fixed to the base floor by means of screws. This should be the first step before starting to install the floor.
Once the plastic underlays are fixed and positioned where appropriate (doorways, rooms that exceed the recommended dimensions, etc.), we will proceed to install the laminate flooring. When we get to the base we must take into account that when we cut this last piece it must be 10mm away from the plastic base. that will serve as an expansion joint to the floor. If the installation continues, we must start with the next piece also distanced from the plastic base another 10 mm. for the essential expansion joint.
As a final step, before installing the flashing, we must apply a few dots of mounting adhesive inside the plastic base gutter, so that when the flashing is installed, it will be securely fastened to the plastic fastening base. These caps will hide these expansion joints and will give the final touch to our installation.
To adjust the width of the last row of slats, place the last slat above the second to last slat.
Mark the contours of the wall on the last plank using a piece as a guide and cut the plank, from this measurement (width of the piece) we will subtract the 10mm for the essential perimeter joint.
And proceed like the rest of the ranks.
With the help of a piece of a piece of laminate flooring and underlay (as a guide for the thickness) we will cut the door frame at the bottom. Remember to leave the expansion joint (10 mm).
Why should an expansion joint of at least 10 mm be left around the entire perimeter of the room and around any obstacles?
FAUS laminate flooring is derived from wood and as such undergoes natural contractions and expansions like wood, depending on environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). This perimeter joint is necessary so that the floor has room to expand under environmental (dimensional) variations. Laminate is a wood material whose volume increases (swells) under the influence of moisture or decreases (shrinks) in a dry environment. If we did not leave a joint in our installation, the floor would not have room to expand as it expands. When encountering obstacles that impede the movement of the pieces, the floor would continue to press to the point of buckling (appearance of bubbles in our installation), in addition to deforming the joint profiles between the pieces. Eventually, its typical swelling and shrinkage behavior may be affected by the loading or placement of large pieces of furniture on top of it.
We must make sure that the subfloor is dry and clean, in addition it should not have unevenness greater than 3mm/linear meter. If there are unevennesses greater than those mentioned above, it will be necessary to correct the irregularities with leveling paste.
The product must be stabilized 48 hours prior to use, with the boxes closed and in horizontal position. We will place the FAUS Underlay as a thermal, acoustic and humidity insulator. It will also absorb small irregularities that the subfloor may have. The ambient temperature should be around 18 ºC .
The basic tools to consider are: Manual, electric or jigsaw. Tape measure, level, pencil, box cutter and tape. Expansion wedges and special assembly wedges.
For the installation of the floor around the pipes, under the door frames, for the installation of baseboards and/or moldings you will need: Goat leg, miter drill, screw machine, electric handsaw, false square and D3 white glue.
The FAUS floor is a laminate floor manufactured according to European standards, (according to EN 13329) and also with the CE marking label according to EN 14041.
FAUS laminate flooring is composed of a high density fiberboard (HDF), as defined in EN 316.
The top coating layer consists of decorative foils impregnated with amino-plastic resins. The decorative one is a perfect imitation of different woods or fantasies.
The most superficial layer is formed by a cellulosic foil with Aluminum Oxide or Corundum particles called OVERLAY. This high quality overlay gives the FAUS a high surface resistance to wear, impact, scratching, staining, cigarette burns, etc. resistance that very few products are able to offer. Meets all the requirements of the EN 13329 standard.
The lower layer is also made of melamine foil called Kraft, which serves as a counterbalance and insulation.
When buying laminate flooring, always choose a top-quality flooring, assembled on top-quality particleboard (HDF: High Density Fiber) and offering a high resistance to moisture. Also the system of union or fixation between the different pieces must be consistent and offer a great resistance to separation.
FAUS offers you the latest and most advanced technical innovations, in addition to having perfect finishes, which do not present any deformation or even the slightest variation in color.
All these important requirements are perfectly controlled in the FAUS in any of its grades.
Laminate flooring as such, offers a higher resistance to scratches than any other varnished floor, in fact FAUS laminate flooring has no visible damage according to EN13329 (EN424 and EN 425) for table legs or furniture castors; this does not mean that it cannot be scratched.
The best way to solve these improbable scratches is with a good foresight to avoid superficial scratches… To prevent this from happening, we will place felt on the legs of chairs, tables, furniture, etc. In the case of chairs with wheels, these should have wheels of type W (German Standard DIN 68131) or, in their absence, a polycarbonate mat should be placed to prevent direct contact with the floor.
It is also advisable to use a doormat at the main entrance to protect the floor from sand.
Use a broom, mop, vacuum cleaner with parquet brush, or a fully wrung out mop. Never use abrasive accessories (steel wool, scouring pads, etc.) or cleaning machines to clean the laminate.
Use non-abrasive neutral PH detergents for stubborn stains. Waxes and other cleaning and polishing products for wood or furniture floors are not suitable for laminate floors.
In case of spillage of water, you must dry it immediately, avoid the stagnation of liquids. Special care should be taken in pet resting areas (urine can damage the laminate, avoid and clean it immediately).
