FAQs for Kronotex Flooring Australia
What is a laminate flooring AC Rating?
The common term used to indicate the durability level of laminate flooring is its “AC” rating. AC Ratings are an
abbreviated representation of the laminate’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and cigarette burns. The rating
also shows that the product has been tested for the effects of furniture legs, castors and swelling along the edges.
If the laminate product has a rating, then it has passed all of the test criteria. Failure of just one test will disqualify a product.
The AC rating levels are designated AC1 through AC5. Each is represented by international pictographs reflecting
the product’s application and durability. The primary application is divided into two groups; residential and
commercial. Each group is then divided into traffic intensity levels; moderate, general or heavy.
The residential rating is recognized by a pictograph of a house and the commercial rating by a building. To the
right of those is a pictograph of one, two or three people, corresponding to the traffic intensity levels. Below the
person/people is a numerical equivalent of the pictographs. The first digit indicates the primary application; 2 for
residential and 3 for commercial. The second digit represents the traffic intensity level; 1 for moderate, 2 for
general and 3 for heavy.
The following is a breakdown of the AC Ratingin, their associated symbols and some suitable uses:
Why do I have to acclimate Kronotex planks for 48 hours prior to installation?
Kronotex, like all laminate flooring, is made for high density fibre board which responds to temperature and
humidity. Even the journey from the store to your house could expose the planks to a different environment.
Therefore, BEFORE opening the packaging, please acclimate all planks for 48 hours by laying each box horizontally and individually in the centre of the room, in which they are to be installed.
I am trying to install your product, but the boards won’t lock together. What should i do?
Several factors could contribute to the problem you are experiencing;
- Were the planks acclimated in the room for 48 hours prior to installation?
- Is this a climate controlled environment?
- Do the boxes lay flat on the floor? If not – flip the boxes over and acclimate for an additional 24-48 hours.
- Measure the boards from opposite corners – diagonally to check for square.
- Did you scribe the first row against the wall? Unevenness in the wall can be transferred through the planks.
- Try locking the plank on the end with your dominant hand then working toward the other end of the plank.
- Ensure that the tongue and groove locking system is kept clean of any debris – we recommend the use of a
soft bristle brush frequently during installation.
How should I clean my laminate flooring?
We recommend the use of Kronotex Laminate Cleaner. You can also clean your laminate floor using a slightly
damp mop and a homemade cleaning aid made from 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar.
Please see “Care & Maintenance” for more information.
What are the specific climatic controlled conditions required to install Kronotex?
Installation should take place at a room temperature of at least 18°C. The following climatic conditions in the room must be ensured before, during and for at least three days after installation;
Floor Surface minimum – 15°C
Room Temperature minimum – 18°C
Room Humidity maximum – 75% (35% – 75%)
What is the advantage of tapering end joints?
This technique allows you to work on multiple rows at the same time in a stair-step fashion, first row longer than the next and so on.
Professional installers can have more than one installer at a time locking planks together – time and square
metreage is money!
The do-it-yourselfer does not neeed a helper to lock a long row to the preceding row.
The advantages of both are;
- Only handling cut pieces once to cut then installing them directly onto the floor saves time and effort.
- Heavy furniture does NOT need to be moved out of the room.
Potentially over time this technique could perform better (remain locked to a tighter tolerance than end joints
engaged without tapping).
How much expansion gap do I have to leave?
A minimum of 10mm clearance is needed.
Is there anything I need to be aware of when installing laminate flooring in front of an exterior door?
There are some things you may want to keep in mind:
Before you install planks in front of an exterior doorway, be sure to shave away the locking system from the side which will face the exterior door. That piece will be on the edge of the floor exposed to extreme conditions.
The gap between the exterior entrance and your first piece of laminate flooring should be filled with 100% silicone sealant to protect the flooring from moisture. We do not recommend having an end joint directly in the traffic path, however sometimes it may be unavoidable.
For aesthetic reasons, we suggest laying the laminate underneath the door jams after cutting them using a saw especially designed for door jams (available at any hardware or home improvement store).
You may also want to use a small bead of glue on the tongue of the locking system of the planks in the entrance area or consider using a door mat to help you protect your floors against snow and water that may be dragged in on shoes.
If Kronotex is a floating floor, how does it stay locked together?
It is called a floating floor because the laminate is not glued, nailed or otherwise fastened to the subfloor or walls and can expand and contract as temperature and other conditions change. Floating floors gain their strength from locking to the other planks in the floor.
NOTE: This is why 300mm end joint stager row to row is so important!
I am looking at installing your laminate in my kitchen. Two questions:
1. Should or can I install it under the refrigerator?
2. Can I lift the centre island out of the room, run the laminate across the width of the kitchen, then fasten
down the centre island back in the middle on top of the laminate?
Laminate flooring can be installed under your refrigerator but should not be installed under any stationary or
extremely heavy furniture as this would prevent the flooring from expanding and contracting. Please work around the island leaving an expansion gap of 10mm to the flooring.
We also recommend adding glue to all four sides of each plank before installing the flooring around your sink,
refrigerator and any other areas where water may occasionally be present. All expansion spaces in these areas must be filled with a 100% mildew resilient silicone sealant. This will help prevent damage from moisture.
How should I cut the planks?
Please use a high tooth count fibre tip saw blade. The teeth of the blade should come in contact with the decor
face of the plank first. This will reduce chipping.
Chipping is not a big issue because anytime you cut our planks, you have removed the
locking system so the cut edge will be toward the wall and will be covered by the skirting. Do not use any pieces that are less than 16 inches or 40.5cm in length.
Safety Requirements: You need to wear a dust mask and safety glasses when cutting planks which also should be cut outside where possible.
Where can I get a copy of the installation instruction?
The installation instructions are printed inside the box of the product or on a separate slip sheet located in the
box.
Alternatively, you can download the installation instructions from our “Technical Support & Warranties” page.
Can laminate flooring be installed on steps?
Yes, Kronotex laminate flooring can be installed on steps. Even though we refer to our laminate as a floating floor;
when installed on steps the planks should be glued down with good quality wood glue. You may need to trim the
planks to make room for the nosing. The stair nosing has to be nailed down or screwed in place. Allow for a 10mm
gap between the flooring and the base of the nosing for flooring expansion. Shim up the nosing to match floor
height if needed.
- Work from the top step down
- Remove any stair flooring that isn’t a suitable base for laminate
- Saw the overhanging edge of the nosing off flat, fix loose treads, and clean the stairs
- Use leftover pieces where you can. Let stairs dry overnight before using them
For a more detailed installation guide, your can download the instructions from our “Technical Support &
Warranties” page.
I am planning to purchase matching mouldings and trims from my laminate flooring. How do I determine how much I need?
Measuring for the moulding piece is quite simple. Measure for the skirting and quads first. Simply measure each
wall, write down each measurement, and then total them up. We recommend that you also add about 10% to
your total for wastage. After you have the total running metres you need, divide it by the length that the
moulding is sold in. For example, if you came up with a total of 24m, and the moulding is sold in 2.4m lengths, you
would require 10 pieces. If you don’t end up with an even number, it is recommended that you round up to the
next piece.
When it comes to transition type moulding, it’s a little different. You will need to measure each doorway or
opening between rooms. As a rule of thumb, one piece of transition type moulding will usually do two doorways,
as long as the doorways are less than 900mm. The room temperature and humidity may vary from room to room
and cause a different level of expansion and contraction. The transition profile in the doorway will prevent the
floor from buckling. Also, if you have an opening that is wider than one piece of moulding, we recommend that
you split it in the centre as opposed to one big piece and a small cut piece. You may have a bit more waste doing
it this way, but overall it will look better with the seam being in the centre.
Remember to use a transition profile in rooms measuring over 12m so that dimensions don’t exceed 8m x 12m in
any section.
Do I really need a moisture test for my concrete sub-floor, if so, how do I get one?
Yes, a moisture test is strongly recommended when installing laminate flooring over concrete.
There are some DIY moisture test kits available at home improvement stores that can be used. If a less than
favourable reading is returned it may be necessary to do a more precise test like a calcium chloride test or use a
meter specially design to read moisture levels in concrete. 1.2kg/24 hours/30m2 is the highest acceptable reading
for a Calcium Chloride test and a reading of 4.5% or less when using a Tramex moisture meter. If you are having
your floor professionally installed, the installer should have access to either one of these tests. It is advised that you site these results along with getting a copy for your records.
Please remember to install Kronotex 2mm foam underlay with moisture barrier over concrete even if your
moisture readings were good.
Below you will find more detailed information about the described tests;
THE PLASTIC SHEET TEST
This is the most commonly used test. However, its margin for error can be substantial. For this test, place a mat (900mm x 900mm) on a clean concrete surface, securing the perimeter with duct tape. Leave in place for a minimum of 48 hours. After removing the plastic sheeting, inspect the concrete’s surface for darkening, any signs of moisture droplets, surface drying (whitening) and how well the duct tape stuck to the concrete. As with the DIY kits, if this is concerns further more accurate testing you be done.
THE MOISTURE METER TEST
Moisture meters are growing in popularity because there is no waiting for the results, however, sometimes the results can be misleading. If there are coatings on the concrete or conductive fibres in the concrete, you may get inaccurate high moisture readings. There are two basic types of moisture meters used: conductivity and impedance. The conductivity moisture meter works of the principle that water is conductive -- the more water, the better the conductivity. Therefore, a high reading shows on the moisture meter. The concern is that there are coatings and additives on or in concrete that will cause false readings. The non-destructive impedance type meter, which is more accurate, uses low-frequency radio waves that travel down into the concrete. The meter measures the speed at which the waves travel and the result is the percentage of moisture by volume present in the concrete. These meters, too, are very sensitive and should only be used on a clean, residue-free surface.
While moisture meter testing may on occassion incurr an additional fee, it is highly recommended to avoid moisture associated damage to your floor.
THE CALCIUM CHLORIDE TEST
This is the most widely recognised test because you can get a quantitative amount of the moisture that is
migrating. It is measured by the weight of the water (0.86kg per Litre) per 300m2 per 24 hours. This moisture
reading should not be higher that 1.4kgs per 300m2.
Can I move my Kronotex floor with me if I move house?
Yes, Kronotex laminate flooring can be moved up to 3 times! The flooring should be removed carefully by taking
each complete row apart along the edge of the plank first and then separating the individual planks for each other
on the short edge. It makes it easier to slightly raise the planks from the underside and place a hand under the
short end connections. Lift the short edge until the two planks separate.
If you already know that you will be moving with your flooring, we suggest buying a few additional cartons to
cover for varying room sizes and damages during your move.
What is the narrowest piece of Kronotex I can use?
The narrowest piece must be at least 50mm wide. This is about as wide as one strip on a three strip decor plank.
Please measure the net width of the room, deduct the space needed for expansion gaps on both sides and divide
it by the width of planks. This will give you the total number of rows (planks) for your project. If you come up with
an uneven number of rows, please remember that the planks you cut lengthways must be at least ⅓ of a plank or
50mm wide.
Example: Net width of room 2500mm, minus 2 x 10mm (expansion gap), divided by 193mm (plank width) equals
12.85 planks. If you do not have at least .33 as a remainder, you must rip the first row along the starting wall so
the width of the last row against the finishing wall is at least 50mm.
Note: Heavy furniture, e.g. sofas or entertainment units, generally sit along the walls. It is important to maintain
this minimum due to the weight frequently delivered to the floor along the walls.
I am planning to install laminate flooring in a new home. How long after plastering and painting should I wait to install the flooring?
Please allow a minimum of:
- 3 days after plaster installation and initial painting as they add a lot of humidity into the room.
- 60 days for new concrete slab to cure
Note to remember – Kronotex flooring must be installed in a climate controlled building, the HVAC must continue
to operate.
We are planning to install your laminate in our home. The bedroom is 10m x 6m and our living room is 15m x 15m. What is the largest possible installation area for laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring can be installed throughout your home but is not recommended for humid rooms like
bathrooms and saunas.
When installing laminate flooring, an expansion profile must be used in all doorways and in rooms measuring over
12m in the direction of the long edge of the planks and 8m in the direction of the short edge of the planks.
Please see attached picture and remember to leave a 10mm expansion gap between the flooring and all the walls.
I heard laminate has a fake or hollow sound. Is there any truth to this?
You may be suprised to hear that laminate flooring is not signifcantly noisier than other hard flooring surfaces. The thickness of the laminate flooring and the use of underlay will have the greatest effect in reducing noise from pedestrian foot traffic.
My subfloor is not level. Can I install Kronotex over a floor that is not level?
Kronotex must be installed over a sub floor which is clean, smooth and level. Laminate flooring with attached underlayment padding can accept a deviance of 3.2mm over 1m, but any low spots of 4.8mm or greater must be filled in with levelling compound.
A cement based levelling compound is mixed with water then “floated” on the subfloor where the compound will flow to the low spots and level the floor. This levelling compound should dry within a few hours.
How much does a carton of your product weigh?
The weight of our products varies between 10kg and 16kg. The product line will need to be specified in order to
give an exact answer.
