The Structure and Advantages of Laminate Flooring
In the market for your home's next floor? If you wish to install wood-like floors without the hefty price tag, laminate flooring can be an excellent choice for your needs. Whereas traditional hardwood floors are entirely made of real wood, laminates are multi-layered synthetic versions of the real stuff.
Keep reading to learn about the anatomy of laminate flooring, as well as the benefits that this type of flooring can provide.
Laminate Flooring Structure
Laminate floors are made by binding multiple layers of material together in a high-pressure, high-temperature process referred to as "lamination". These floors are made of four main layers, as indicated below:
- Wear layer: this is the clear, top layer of laminate floors. Its primary purpose is to withstand daily foot traffic while protecting the layers underneath from moisture, ultraviolet light, and other elements. This helps extend the life of the floors.
- Decorative layer: this layer of laminate flooring is also known as the print layer as it comprises a decorative high-resolution photo that replicates the look of real wood. It is this layer that gives laminate flooring its wood-like appearance.
- Core layer: this layer comprises high-density fibreboard that gives laminate flooring its high strength. Fibreboard resists moisture and water better than real wood, thus it makes for a low-maintenance wood alternative.
- Stabilising layer: this is the laminate flooring layer that is attached to the sub-floor directly on top of the underlayment. The underlayment helps hide imperfections in the subfloor while providing stability and support for the laminate flooring installed above it.
Laminate Flooring Advantages
As a real wood flooring alternative, laminate flooring offers a variety of fantastic advantages. These advantages include but are not limited to the following:
- Wood-like appearance: laminate floors give the look of real wood without the high expense.
- Cost savings: laminate floors are a low-cost alternative to genuine wood floors. As a result, they can save you money on your residential flooring system installation.
- Less maintenance: as they are not made of all-natural wood products, laminate floors do not require as much care and upkeep to prevent moisture and insect damage. That said, you'll spend less time and money looking after them.
Although laminate floors offer several advantages over their real wood cousins, they have their drawbacks too. For instance, they cannot be restored through sanding and polishing like real wood, meaning they have a shorter lifespan. For more information about laminate flooring, contact your local flooring contractor.
For more information on laminate flooring, contact a company near you.