Laminate Flooring Installation in Cape Town

Most laminate is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. For wet areas like bathrooms and laundries we recommend vinyl (LVT or SPC) instead. Modern water-resistant laminate handles spills well in living areas and kitchens.

Quality laminate, professionally installed, typically lasts 15–25 years in residential use. Higher AC ratings (AC4, AC5) last longer in busy commercial and high-traffic settings.

Often yes — laminate can float over many existing hard floors if they're flat, dry and structurally sound. We always assess the subfloor before installation.

A typical residential room takes one day. A full home (3–4 rooms) usually takes two to three days, including subfloor preparation and finishing trims.

Laminate is a floating click-system floor. We start with a flat, dry, clean subfloor, lay an acoustic underlay (with a moisture barrier on concrete), then click the planks together with the correct expansion gap around the perimeter. We finish with skirtings, beading and threshold trims.

On a concrete slab we test the moisture content first. We level the slab where needed with a self-levelling screed, then lay a damp-proof membrane (or combined underlay with built-in DPM) before clicking the planks together as a floating floor.

Usually yes — laminate can float over an existing wood floor if it's flat, dry, structurally sound and the boards aren't loose or damaged. We assess the existing floor on site and recommend levelling or replacement where needed.

Yes, in most kitchens. Choose a higher AC rating (AC4 or AC5) and a water-resistant range, and wipe spills promptly. For very wet conditions or open-to-bathroom layouts, vinyl (LVT or SPC) is the safer choice.

Sweep or vacuum regularly, then damp-mop with a barely-wet mop and a laminate-safe cleaner. Avoid steam mops, soaking water, wax, polish and abrasive scrubbers — they can damage the wear layer or swell the core.

Laminate planks are cut with a fine-tooth handsaw, a jigsaw with a laminate blade, or a dedicated laminate cutter. We measure and cut on site for clean perimeter cuts, doorways, pipe penetrations and threshold transitions.

Test a small area first. For most residues, a soft cloth with warm soapy water or a manufacturer-approved laminate cleaner is enough. Avoid solvents, scrapers and abrasive pads, which damage the wear layer.