Once upon a time, and not very long ago, laminate flooring was installed using glue and a host of tools. While simple in nature, it was time consuming, had the potential to create a mess and leave markings on the floor, had the potential for failure due to too much or too little adhesive, and most of all, the end user had to wait hours, even a day or two for the glue to dry before walking on it.

It may be hard to believe, but laminate flooring is still just a teenager in the U.S. market, having first been introduced in 1993/94. During this short time, no other category has brought about as much change and product innovation to the point that some of the advances, such as the use of aluminum oxide, have been integrated into other segments.

Quite possibly the greatest single technological innovation the category has produced is the advent of the glueless installation, or mechanical locking systems, also known as click systems. At first considered only for the DIYer, the glue-free method quickly took the industry by storm. Within five years of being introduced to the mass market nearly 100% of all laminate flooring had been converted to some type of click system.

And today, these same systems are finding their way into the other product categories. Engineered wood was the first non-laminate to incorporate a mechanical locking system, but now mills are using it for solid wood floors, as well as tile, certain types of resilient and there is even a method to install carpet via a click system.

Like everything else, since the advent of the first mechanical locking system—generally agreed to be from Darko Pervan, CEO of research and development company Välinge—there have been an abundant number of similar methods to hit the marketplace.

While some have legitimately clicked with the industry, most of the locking systems introduced over the years were copycats causing the laminate industry to wage a costly legal campaign as companies defended their existing patents while trying to get others voided.

In some cases this has worked as many companies were forced to leave the U.S. for fear of patent infringement. And, while there are still lawsuits taking place in various parts of the world, the industry has quieted down from the frenzy of legal actions that dominated the late 1990s and early 2000s. The reason? The holders of the most popular and widely held patents came together on what is termed cross-licensing agreements.

So, while manufacturers such as Pergo and Wilsonart do have their own patented locking systems, the majority of companies have formed a licensing deal with either Unilin—maker of the Uniclic system—or Välinge— maker of the G series of locking systems—as their patented methods account for the vast majority of systems in use today.

What is it about the Välinge and Unilin methods that have made them the standard bearers? If you ask officials at either company they will say the answer is simple: ease of use, flexibility of use and consistently innovating to make sure the locking systems keep up with new flooring materials.

“Unilin has solidly earned its position in the industry as the technology and innovation leader through strong, consistent performance over the years,” said Roger Farabee, senior vice president of marketing. “Thanks to the ingenious shape of the tongue and groove, panels can be clicked together simply— using either an angled or sliding motion.”

Endless possibilities

What this means, he added, is that “floors featuring the Uniclic glueless locking system can be quickly installed in virtually any situation.”

As for Välinge, Per Nygren, sales and marketing director, said the company’s recently introduced 5G locking technology “is the most advanced type of fold down system on the market. By using the flexible tongue inserted in the floorboard you will be able to install all types of flooring with the ‘single action’ method.”

This type of installation method, he added, “will gradually replace the conventional angling/snap and angling/angling methods. And due to the continuous development of the 5G technology it can now be used for all types of flooring, such as wood, laminate, linoleum, cork and more, and also for all sizes and thicknesses of the floor board.”

Industry veteran Claes Wennerth, who is now representing Välinge in the U.S., feels the 5G system will become “the new standard in locking technology. On the long side of the plank you have a regular angle down lock such as the Valinge 2G locking system. When you engage the long side lock by folding it down, the 5G just automatically connects on the short side.”

The result is so smooth and simple he called it “a true ‘aha’ experience. The advantage over, for example, a traditional drop down lock on the short side is you get a vertical locking without relying on the subsequent plank row.”

Wennerth noted 5G also allows you to have wider planks. “It is an installer’s dream when it comes to 16-inch-wide tile which is traditionally installed with the more cumbersome angle/angle method or an angle/snap that may require a tap, which can harm the edge if you are not careful.”

Farabee noted the importance of the dual-installation options the Uniclic system provides. “Installations will almost always involve installing flooring in some type of ‘trapped’ situation— under a door jamb, toe kick, or recession/undercut such as a fireplace. With Uniclic, the installer has the ability to either install via the preferred method of clicking planks together at a slight angle or the alternative method of easily pushing planks together in a horizontal fashion. The dual-installation capabilities of Uniclic provides the flexibility that all real-life installations require to some extent.”

Whichever method is used, he stressed there is no loss of strength in the joint. “The under lip of the groove is shaped like a wedge, spreading the tension and protecting it from damage. Plus, beveled edges ensure the planks click into each other to form a solid, lasting connection. In fact, the locking system is so strong that it carries a limited lifetime residential warranty.”

And, when it comes to flexibility, Farabee said Uniclic allows a floor to be easily removed and reinstalled under warranty with the Uniclic guarantee covering three reinstallations.”

Välinge’s Nygren noted the company is strictly based on research and development and not manufacturing. Everything is focused on developing better ways to install, design and manufacture flooring as well as working with its partners to find solutions to their needs.

“All the equipment is used to produce completely new types of floorings and to make samples and start-up products for the licensees,” he explained. “The equipment is also used for advanced education and training related to production methods, tooling technology and quality control as well as for joint development projects together with Välinge’s licensees and partners.”

When it comes to developing new systems, Nygren said, “No floor product is alike, no manufacturing line is alike and no market segment is alike. That’s why each locking system needs to be specially engineered. All the key parameters of the customer’s flooring activities are taken into Välinge’s research and design process in order to get a solution that is optimized for low production cost and superior floor installation characteristics.”

—Matthew Spieler