The essentials in 30 seconds
The EPLF says the proper name is laminate flooring: "laminate" means layers pressed together. A laminate plank has three layers: a decorative paper with a clear overlay (the wear layer), a core (usually HDF, high-density fibreboard) and a stabilizing layer underneath. The outer layers are impregnated with synthetic resin and pressed onto the core under heat and pressure. Laminate is at least 65 % wood. It is normally laid floating: the planks click together on an underlay and vapour barrier, with a gap of at least 10 mm at the walls, and nothing may fix it down. Glue is only an aid: Quick-Step suggests D3 wood glue in the click joint for pieces smaller than 100 mm. Laminate never needs wax or polish: Pergo says they leave a dull, filmy residue. If the floor arches, it is usually because the expansion gap is blocked somewhere.
- On the pack, look for the wear class under EN 13329 and the CE marking (EPLF).
- Real-wood floors and cross-laminated timber are different products.
What laminated flooring is made of
| Layer | What it is | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Overlay + decorative paper | Printed decor under a clear, resin-impregnated overlay; the hard surface is melamine resin | Look and wear resistance |
| Core | Wood fibres, usually HDF; earlier floors used particleboard | Strength and the click profile |
| Stabilizing layer | Resin-impregnated paper underneath | Keeps the plank flat |
Some laminates skip the decor paper and are printed directly onto the HDF core, the EPLF adds. Because the surface is sealed, dirt can't penetrate it, which is why it is easy to clean. The EPLF also says European laminate contains formaldehyde, like all wood-based products, but that emissions are minimal and below the E1 limit of 0.1 ppm.
What to check before you buy
- Wear class to EN 13329 and the CE marking, says the EPLF; cheap products may not even meet the standard's minimum.
- Moisture protection: the EPLF mentions water-repellent (hydrophobic) edge treatment as a feature that raises the price.
- Integrated underlay, or which underlay the maker requires.
The EPLF quotes €8–40 per m² for European laminate, depending on features such as integrated sound insulation and water-repellent edges. Our best laminate flooring guide explains wear classes, rooms and underlays in detail.
How laminated flooring is laid
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01
Subfloor
It must be even and dry. On screed, the EPLF says a vapour barrier (such as a PE sheet) is needed, plus a separating layer against footstep sound. Laminate can go over old wood, stone or tiles if they meet the maker's requirements, but not over carpet.
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02
Underlay
The EPLF treats boards, underlay and subfloor as one system: the underlay evens out small bumps, protects the click joints and reduces noise.
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03
Expansion gaps
Leave at least 10 mm at walls, door frames, pipes and pillars. Above about 8–10 m in length or width, an expansion joint is needed (EPLF); Quick-Step gives its own limits.
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04
Click, don't fix
A floating floor must stay floating: Quick-Step says never fix, block or permanently load it, so no kitchen units, built-in wardrobes or heavy fixed objects on top. Skirting boards go on the wall, never the floor.
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05
Small pieces
Quick-Step recommends pieces bigger than 100 mm; if that's impossible, use D3 wood glue in the click joint to attach the small piece.
For the step-by-step method, see how to fit laminate flooring.
How to cut laminated flooring
Quick-Step's guide lists a saw, square, ruler and pencil, plus a dust mask, gloves and goggles. Whether the decor side faces up or down depends on the type of saw and blade: test on an offcut first to see which gives a clean edge. Against the wall, saw off the click profile on the first row. Quick-Step's guide also covers undercutting door frames (with a video via QR code).
Cleaning, polish and protection
- Routine: dust mop, vacuum with the hard-floor attachment, or a damp cloth mop (Pergo).
- No polish: Pergo says not to use soap or detergent cleaners, wax-based products or any type of polish, which leave a dull, filmy residue; there is never a need to wax or refinish the floor.
- Protection: doormats at entrances, felt pads on furniture legs, soft castors (Quick-Step cites type W to EN 12529), and lift heavy objects rather than slide them.
- Damage: small chips can be filled with the maker's repair putty or kits; badly damaged planks can be swapped by a professional, the EPLF and Pergo say.
For methods and stains, see how to clean laminate floors properly.
Why laminate arches or lifts
The EPLF says an arching or wavy laminate floor usually has no room to move somewhere, typically a missing or blocked expansion gap. Its fix for confident DIYers: take off the skirting boards, check the gap all round; check door stops, heating pipes and anything screwed through the floor; cut back about 1 cm where the floor touches a wall. Once freed, it should flatten within one or two days; act quickly, or the damage may become permanent. Otherwise, call your floor layer. On electric underfloor heating, the EPLF says the floor surface must never exceed 26 °C, or joints can swell and arch; check the maker's approval first. See also underfloor heating.
Engineered wood, bamboo and cross-laminated timber
- Laminated wooden, pine or bamboo flooring: by the EPLF's definition, laminate has a printed decor under a resin overlay. If the surface you walk on is real wood or bamboo, it is a different product, whatever the label says, and it follows its own maker's care instructions.
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT): APA describes CLT as a large, prefabricated solid engineered wood panel; Think Wood says it is made of layers of lumber (usually three, five or seven) stacked at 90° and glued. It is a structural panel for floors, walls and roofs in buildings, designed by engineers, not a floor covering.
- Laminate vs vinyl: see our laminate vs vinyl flooring comparison.
Laminated flooring: FAQs
Is laminated flooring the same as laminate flooring?
Yes. The EPLF says the proper name is laminate flooring; "laminate" means thin layers pressed together.
Do you glue laminated flooring?
Normally not: it clicks together and floats. Quick-Step suggests D3 wood glue in the click joint only to attach pieces smaller than 100 mm.
Can you polish laminated flooring?
No. Pergo says wax-based products and polish leave a dull, filmy residue, and laminate never needs waxing or refinishing.
How do you cut laminated flooring?
With a saw, wearing a dust mask, gloves and goggles; test on an offcut whether the decor side should face up or down for your saw and blade.
Is cross-laminated timber a type of laminate floor?
No. CLT is a structural engineered wood panel used to build floors, walls and roofs.
Sources
Industry association, manufacturer guides and wood associations, checked on 3 November 2026 (03/11/2026).
- EPLF · Laminate flooring FAQ ↗Name and meaning; EN 13329 wear class and CE mark; subfloor, vapour barrier, 10 mm gap, expansion joint above 8–10 m; not on carpet; underfloor heating max 26 °C; arching and how to fix it; underlay as a system; replacing planks; layers; formaldehyde E1; price €8–40/m². Read.
- EPLF · About laminate ↗At least 65 % wood, sealed surface; HPL and DPL; click systems and HDF core since 1996; direct printing on HDF. Read.
- Quick-Step · Installation guide, laminate flooring (PDF, version 07.2026) ↗Heated indoor rooms; humid areas only with Hydroseal and warranty conditions; not with floor drains, saunas, showers; floating floor never fixed; tools and PPE; saw orientation test; D3 glue for pieces under 100 mm; skirtings on the wall; castors type W. PDF read.
- Pergo · Laminate floors care and repair (PDF) ↗Dust mop, vacuum, damp mop; no soap, detergent, wax or polish (dull, filmy residue); never wax or refinish; mats, felt pads, lift heavy objects; putty for minor damage. PDF read.
- APA · Cross-laminated timber (CLT) ↗Large prefabricated solid engineered wood panel; floors, walls, roofs. Read.
- Think Wood · Cross laminated timber (CLT) ↗Layers of lumber, usually three, five or seven, at 90° and glued; load-bearing floors, walls and roofs. Read.
Choosing laminate?
Check the wear class and CE mark, plan an underlay and 10 mm gaps, and never polish it.