Underlay
The polythene forms a moisture-retarding barrier whilst the foam cushions the floor and acts as a noise reduction barrier.

Underlay Tape
In order to comply with the manufacturers conditions it is necessary to tape the joints of the underlay with a moisture retarding tape. One roll is generally enough to cover 20 meters squared of floor.

Floor Beading
As all the types of wooden floor expanded and contract with changes of atmospheric conditions it is essential to leave an expansion gap on all edges of the floor. The necessary expansion gap for a laminate floor is 9mm. This means that if you are not removing or replacing the skirting board, the expansion gap will remain visible between the skirting board and the floor. This gap is usually covered by flooring beads, which are available in colours to match either the floor or the skirting board.

Door Strips
This can be of 3 types
1. If there is an existing saddle which is not going to be removed, a stop end connector should be used which butts up to the saddle, allowing the necessary expansion to take place under the top strip.
2. Replacement saddle between floors of the same heights. These can be wooden, brass or aluminium and are T shaped to allow expansion.
3. Replacement saddle between floors of different heights. This is a ramped connector allowing for the expansion and giving a smooth transition between the two floors.

Fireplace Strips
Either floor beads or a flat brass strip are used to cover the expansion gap here.

Cleaning
It is important not to over wet a timber floor by constant cleaning. The correct method in order to maximise the life of the floor is to
· Vacuum
· Apply wooden floor cleaner
· Finish with a dry mop.

Radiator caps
It is very difficult to cut in a floor tidily around radiator pipes. The radiator caps (in matching colours to the floor) clip around the pipes and sit on the floor, covering any of the cuts that have to be made.