One of the easiest floors to install, one that offers low maintenance throughout your home, and one that offers a long life no matter how much action it receives is laminate flooring. With today’s technology, it can be printed to simulate a variety of flooring options, such as hardwood planks, slate or ceramic tiles. With all of that going for it, laminate flooring may be the perfect choice for your home.
Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring made up of several layers of different materials fused together by heat, pressure and adhesive. While laminates can take on many different looks, including wood, they actually contain no wood materials. Instead, they are constructed from fiberboard and resins.
The top layer is the wear layer, the layer that will be visible to the eye and complement your décor. This layer is an invisible surface generally made from aluminum oxide chemical treatment that protects the surface from scratches and other damage.
The second layer is the photograph layer. This is the surface that gives laminate its appearance. Its created with a photograph or pattern printed on paper embedded in resin, and is designed to give the product its visual appeal. Typically it will simulate the look of hardwood, cork, bamboo, natural stone, ceramic, or even brick pavers.
At its core, laminate has a fiberboard core that provides its depth, structure and stability. Its comprised of wood chips or sawdust ground into a fine powder, then coated with resin and pressed into flat sheets.
The back layer provides a moisture barrier. This works with the water resistant wear layer on top to sandwich the photograph and fiberboard together to create a water tight seal around the core material. It also provides stability during installation.
Laminate must be installed over an underlayment, and is most often found as a cork or foam roll. The underlayment provides a surface to reduce noise while walking on it, so its important to install the best underlayment you can afford.
Laminate flooring is durable, stain resistant, and mold resistant, meaning it’s a great choice for rooms throughout your home. If you will be installing laminate in kitchens, baths, or laundry rooms, make sure you choose a laminate that has a water resistant additive, which can be added during the manufacturing process. This will make the flooring more durable in places where water is more likely to accumulate.
No matter what style or look you are trying to achieve, laminate flooring may be the perfect choice for you. Stop by and look at the many options available to you – you will be surprised at the look you can achieve with laminate flooring.
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