PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES: 12. FLOORING

12.32 Laminate Flooring Is Cupped (High Edges)

Acceptable Performance/Condition

Laminate flooring shall be installed without cupping.

Cupping of laminate flooring often results from excessive moisture when the humidity below the finished flooring material is substantially higher than above. This condition commonly occurs when houses do not have adequate ventilation and can, under certain circumstances result from defects in work or materials.

Warranty Coverage

• 12 months In-Home
• 15 months Common Property

Damage resulting from maintenance not conducted in keeping with maintenance documentation provided to the owner by the warranty provider or builder is not covered under warranty.

Claim Response

Laminate flooring not meeting the acceptable performance/condition must be rectified. Only cupped flooring strips require replacement at the time of repair.

The builder or warranty provider may request one complete heating and cooling season in order to consider settlement and shrinkage of the new home as well as proper humidity levels.

Where repairs are made, an exact match of colour, finish, grain, sheen or texture may not be possible.

Maintenance Tip

Laminate flooring is made up of individual layers (wood particles/paste) pressed and bonded together, with an image on the surface of the substrate or underlying core layer. If the environmental conditions are too humid, the laminate flooring may expand causing all edges (side and ends of boards) to press against each other and curl upwards. A hygrometer can be used to monitor indoor humidity levels.