Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Apr 18, 2010 6:26 pm HI there - just need some help making a final decision on our floors. After reading this forum it seems that Quickstep is all the go. There is a colour from their Classic range which I love - however it only comes in 7mm. Prior to finding this one we had been looking at a range of other brands (eg. Embelton and Perfect Timber Floors) in 12mm. The 12mm in these brands is the same price as the Quickstep 7mm. Should I go with the wellknown brand in the 7mm or the thicker plank in other brands? Any advice would be appreciated. Re: 7mm vs 12 mm timber laminate??? 2Apr 18, 2010 7:54 pm From what I could gather from the stardust and fairy glitter that the salespeople threw at me, the thicker fibreboard used in cheaper brands is more reactive to moisture than the high density fibreboard used in Quickstep, meaning that even though the thickness is less, the Quickstep is less prone to swelling. I too was tossing up between a cheaper 12mm Beaufords laminate and the 8mm Quickstep Eligna. In the end, I went with Quickstep because I felt like I would be getting a product that I could rely on, and it was also rated as being more durable than the Beaufords. Re: 7mm vs 12 mm timber laminate??? 3Apr 19, 2010 5:47 pm Thanks Vundaful, that's helpful. Were you happy with the Eligna? I am also wondering about the underlay that would be best with the 7mm board. We have been told that 2mm underlay is used - is that sufficient? I think I am almost convinced to go with the 7mm Quickstep. Its my DH that needs getting over the line - he feels that the Quickstep sample feels alot flimsier than the 12mm brands - which it is, I just dont know if that effects the quality once laid? Re: 7mm vs 12 mm timber laminate??? 4Apr 19, 2010 5:55 pm Our Eligna goes in sometime this week, we have a 2mm green foam that I can't remember the name of I'll be posting lots of pictures and raving about it so stay tuned I don't think the Quickstep will steer you wrong, I've heard nothing but praise about it, from H1ers and retailers. It was the track record that made me choose it over the 12mm Beaufords laminate (which I actually liked the appearance of better!) As for quality - get your DH to ask the retailer about the quality of the MDF and HDF that goes into the different laminates, and the AC rating of the surface layers The decorative layer and its clear protective layers above it are the same thickness in all laminates - only a few mm if that. The fibreboard is what contributes to the thickness the most, and you'll want a higher quality, more dense fibreboard rather than a thicker but less dense fibreboard. Re: 7mm vs 12 mm timber laminate??? 5May 16, 2010 9:29 am The density of the coreboard has a direct impact on the amount of time it takes to swell. All timber boards and laminate boards will swell to similar levels, BUT (and this is a big BUT), the time it takes the water to ingress into the board comes down to the density - so a HMRHDF core board of say 950kg per cube is going to still get wrecked, BUT it will take alot longer than it would if it were only 750kg in density. So it gives you more time to mop up etc. The surface is measured in grams per square metre of Aluminimum Oxide (but tested with a taber test which is simulated wear which is how you get your AC rating). Most laminates are 45gsm, which tends to get you around an AC3 rating - which is standard. AC4 is better, with AC5 being heavy duty commercial (not many in the market and is overkill for a house under normal cicrumstances). Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 15904 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair At a bit of a loss on this one - we're thinking the original owners never removed the protective laminate covers from their kitchen cabinets after installation and in the… 0 6330 We are doing heaps of hybrid at the moment and the cost sits between $60-65/sqm including installation. Stairs are around $90-100 each 1 4310 |