Laminate Flooring vs High End Resilient Flooring (HERF)

Laminate flooring and high end resilient flooring (HERF) are two of the most popular flooring options in Singapore today. Home owners can get to enjoy stylish wood like designs flooring with many colors available for them to choose, and also at a fraction of their renovation investments. This creates unique style to the home and therefore giving the home owner more 'colors' to living at home.

Here let's find out more about some unique features laminate flooring vs HERF.

Water Resistant vs Waterproof

Laminate flooring is naturally resistant to water, however it is not 100% waterproof. Hence, home owners need to maintain the flooring regularly, not letting water to stand too long on the floorboards. Making sure the windows are tightly closed so as to prevent rainwater from getting it when they are leaving the homes.

High end resilient flooring (HERF), on the other hand is waterproof. Hence it is recommended for the busy home owners who would rather spend the free time with their family then overly focus too much on maintaining the flooring. HERF is often recommended for high moist living areas such as wet kitchen, basements, bathroom dry sanity area and also rooms that are constantly under strong air-condition. Where humidity level in the atmosphere is relatively higher than normal especially in tropical climatic countries such as Singapore.  

"Hollow Sound" vs Silent Step 

In the wee hours of the night, even if you drop a coin onto a laminate flooring, it can create that loud and clear hollow sound due to the floating system. To minimise the hollow sound, a special type of underlay is needed during installation of laminate wood floor. 

On the other hand, HERF does not need any underlays during installation and yet is 'silent' when stepped on. This is because the structure of the high end resilient flooring is fully attached to the subfloor with no or minimal air gaps in between, thus making your flooring soundly silent when stepped on.

Skirting vs Without Skirting

Skirting is required when installing laminate flooring at home, in order to leave gaps and spaces for expansion and contraction. However, some home owners like it while some may not like it. If not installed properly, the skirting might collect dust particles which is difficult to clean on the expansion gaps. And usually the skirting can be more susceptible to potential water damage if not maintained properly. Changing and replacing of skirting may cost the home owner more in terms of repair cost in the longer run/

High end resilient flooring does not require any skirting at al, hence it will give the home interior a much 'cleaner' look.

In summary, traditional laminate flooring and high end resilient flooring (HERF) bring more colors and design choices to today's home owners to style their homes.