Until now, the aim was to have as many products as possible in the range in order to be able to respond to every requirement. The illustration below shows 6 product examples of a typical specialist retailer’s range, all of which have more or less one-sided characteristics and sometimes do not even fulfil the EPLF minimum requirements in some areas.
Individual representation of 6 product examples
Figure: 6 product examples in one diagram
1) Walking noise value from 2013
In the network diagram, the technical data of the products is displayed graphically along the 9 axes. Each axis starts in the centre and ends at the outer ring, i.e. the better a product, the larger the area in this range. If no data is available from the manufacturer, these criteria are not evaluated.
Today, it is no longer enough to have a balanced product portfolio if the individual products do not fulfil the minimum requirements. VISCOH underlays are multifunctional and fulfil all EPLF, FEP and MMFA requirements.
The illustration shows the multifunctional properties of our high-end product VISCOH AIR+.
After years of preparation in numerous working groups at European level (CEN) and within the EPLF, official regulations for underlays for laminate flooring were published for the first time at the end of 2013 in order to avoid complaints and sustainably increase customer satisfaction. The EPLF was significantly involved in this project and was able to contribute to the fact that underlays for laminate flooring, parquet flooring (FEP) and LVT flooring (MMFA) are now subject to fixed requirements.
Since October 2018, the European standard EN 16354 and the technical data sheets of the EPLF and MMFA have defined all relevant criteria for underlayment. The designs and specifications in the standard and the technical bulletins now correspond to the state of the art and the recognised rules of technology. They specify basic minimum requirements as well as increased requirements and define the test methods to be observed, which are binding for commercial installers. With the right underlay, the floor structure is optimised and the service life of the topsoil is extended.