HERF, a strong substitute to traditional Laminate Flooring

High end resilient flooring (HERF) has come a long way in becoming one of the most popular flooring option in Singapore today. One reason for the increase in the market demand for high end resilient flooring (HERF) is the fact that many home owners are switching from laminate flooring to good quality high end resilient flooring due to these reasons.

1. Water resistant vs Water Proof

Basically, all laminate flooring are water resistant, that means, it is not able to withstand long hours of standing water. Precaution need to be taken in consideration from the home owners to prevent water spills or rain getting into the floor through unattended windows. Places with high humidity levels may not be recommended to install laminate flooring.

Good quality high end resilient flooring, on the otherhand is 100 per cent waterproof. Hence, it can be installed in indoor high moist areas such as the basement, entrances from bathrooms and wet kitchen. This waterproof feature also makes HERF easy to clean and maintain without worrying about the water issue. 

2. Termite Resistant vs Termite Proof

As it is made of layer of wood compressed together, laminate wood flooring is only termite resistant; hence it is not recommended to install in termite density regions such as houses near to nature reserves, conservation shop houses as well as homes with a history of termites infestation. 

High end resilient flooring is 100 per cent termite proof hence it may be a better alternative installing in termite density regions.

3. Hollow sound vs No Hollow sound when stepped on

As laminate flooring is installed in a floating system manner and if the laminate flooring is not installed professionally by a skilled installer or the sub floor is not level; it may cause a audible hollow sound to occur whenever the flooring is stepped on. 

Good quality high end resilient flooring has a strong sound insulated properties that creates a solid and silent feel when you stepped on it.

4. Underlay and skirting need vs no underlay and skirting needed for installation

Underlay and skirting are needed especially when you need to install laminate flooring. However, you does not need any underlay or skirting when you install high end resilient flooring.

5. Both Quality range have Similar and close properties

Both good quality laminate flooring and high end resilient flooring  share some similar properties such as scratch resistant. While laminate flooring follows a AC and utility class rating to measure the resistant levels of its wear layer, HERF has a nano ceramic beaded coating that enhances it scratch resistant level.

In terms of installation, both are floating system that uses click locking systems.

On top of that, both good quality HERF and laminate flooring has good properties such as low in VOCs and low in formaldehyde emissions, fire resistance, slip resistance, impact resistance, etc.

In summary,

the demand for high end resilient flooring (HERF) is gradually increasing as HERF become popular among home owners and commercial property owners today as a strong substitute to traditional laminate flooring.