Laminate flooring also called floating wood tile in the united states is a multi layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process.
What is laminate flooring made out of.
It utilizes extremely detailed photographic imaging and advanced printing technology to capture the nuances of the grains and staining of a hardwood floor.
Laminate flooring is made by fusing all the layers together using extremely high pressure as well as very high temperatures creating direct pressure laminate dpl or high pressure laminate hpl flooring.
The inner core layer is usually composed of melamine resin and fiber board materials.
So you may be asking what is laminate flooring made of.
It s an amazing manufacturing process by which four layers are fused together in a single press operation at high heat at over 300 f using direct pressure laminate dpl construction.
Are vocs still a significant concern with laminate flooring brands.
Laminate flooring simulates wood or sometimes stone with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer.
Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that has been designed to look like wood flooring or sometimes stone flooring.
Dpl is the most typical fusing method used to manufacture residential laminate flooring.
Laminate is always installed as a floating floor this means that it does not have the difficult nail down installation issues of hardwood or engineered wood.
This layer is what makes your laminate flooring look exactly like a genuine hardwood floor.
Contrary to popular belief laminate flooring is not made out of plastic.
This is where your laminate wood floor gets its strength.
Laminate flooring and luxury vinyl flooring are roughly comparable in price although sheet vinyl does hold a slight edge.
Generally speaking laminate flooring is a wood based product made by fusing together a few basic layers and sealing them together.
Now due to innovative manufacturing laminate looks as if it is solid hardwood or stone but is much more affordable.
Combined the flooring construction creates a solid durable piece of flooring that not only looks great but also withstands foot traffic pet traffic drops spills and other abuse.
In the early years laminate looked as if it were made of plastic due to appearance and design being sacrificed for affordability.
Porcelain tile and luxury vinyl flooring with a plastic core are your best flooring options where water is a concern.
With the floating floor method you first roll out inexpensive foam underlayment tape the underlayment together and then lay out the laminate planks.
Each plank of laminate flooring has four distinct layers.
It has been a popular choice with diy enthusiasts for decades.
Any keen home renovator can install laminate flooring without the need of a professional floor fitter.
Traditionally it offered a cheaper alternative to real wood.