What is a Laminate Floor

The laminate floor has become an increasingly popular flooring option. It is regarded as one of the most durable, highly attractive and easy to install and maintain flooring materials. It is resistant to wear, as well as to animal hair and dander. Laminate floors are relatively lower in price than solid hardwoods, but comparably durable and decorative.

The laminate floor is composed of several layers which have been fused together to form durable boards. The top layer is transparent and is specially treated to achieve high wear resistance against scratches, burns, dents and stains. The decorative layer gives a laminate floor its aesthetic look ranging from wood species to ceramic or stone designs. A core (central) layer, made of high or medium density fiberboard, supports the weight and stress of foot traffic. Strength and stability is further ensured by the bottom stabilizing layer.

The laminate floor now comes with click joints, or locking systems. The change from glue joints to mechanical click joints enabled the easiest and quickest installation process in any wood flooring. Most laminate floor options are glue-free. The material is available in different ranges of patterns and surface structure, well adapted for various needs and demands.

Kitchen countertops were the first product of laminate technology. Logically, the hard-wearing features of laminate countertops work for floors as well. It is highly suitable for areas that require floors to endure foot traffic without scratching and denting. The laminate floor is becoming a favored flooring material in North America and all over the world.