Laminated floors were once the poor man’s option. Made of cheap wood layered over plywood, they looked as cheap as they were. No longer. Laminates are now stylish, durable and yet still relatively inexpensive. They can emulate hardwood, ceramic and other forms of flooring, such as natural stone.

A laminate is constructed from layers. In the case of laminated flooring, there are typically four: bottom, core, design and protective.

The bottom layer in a good laminate is Melamine, a type of molded plastic made from resin. It is heat resistant and will support high pressures. Some cheaper laminates use a paper backing, but those don’t offer the same degree of support.

On top of that is laid a core, usually made of fiber board. Like pressed wood, it’s inexpensive, but very strong and still somewhat elastic. That makes for a more comfortable floor. It’s designed with an interlocking geometry, similar to the tongue-and-groove of hardwood flooring. That provides additional stability and support.

The next layer up is the design layer, where the artist displays his creativity. Design layers can resemble the grain in fine wood or the rich look of a good ceramic. Colors and patterns are available that will keep anyone searching for laminated flooring busy for hours.

Uppermost is the protective material applied to the design layer in order to keep moisture at bay and prevent deep scuffing and scrapes. As with any floor, those can all occur. But having a good protective layer prevents them from moving downward. Being kept on the surface makes them easy to clean off or repair without permanent damage to the floor.

Laminates can be used anywhere in the home, but they’re especially good for certain applications.

Have a kitchen that cries out for hardwood? Great, but it will be expensive and can be damaged by hot grease, dropped pans and other common problems. A laminate will be less expensive, easier to repair and still look outstanding.

Thinking of wood or ceramic for the bathroom? Either would work well. But laminates are more water resistant than wood and clean up easier than the grout between ceramic tiles. They provide a strong, softer surface and will be a little less costly to install.

Laminates usually come in planks, so they can be laid down like wood. With a several inch-wide, three-foot plank you can cover a floor very quickly. When done right, the interlocking mechanism keeps the boards from moving and the underlayer and core will minimize the possibility of squeaks.

Laminates are easy to keep free of dust, since they stand up well to vacuuming and can be easily wet mopped. That reduces dust mites, pet dander and other potential allergens, making laminated flooring a very healthy option.

At the same time, the surface is highly stain resistant so it will work well in the kitchen or bathroom where things tend to fall onto the floor. Anything that does is easily wiped up with little risk of soaking in.

There are hundreds of laminate floor options available. Look into them when you consider any flooring material.

Tags: Flooring – Laminates

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