WHAT ARE THE FOUR LAYERS THAT LAMINATE FLOORING HAS?

Laminated floors are a combination flooring option made up of a plywood wood foundation, an image layer, and a translucent wear layer.  Laminate flooring is a common sort of flooring for houses’ living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, hallways, bedrooms, and other non-wet areas.

Perstorp, a Swedish manufacturer, invented laminate flooring in 1977. The plan was to repurpose scrap wood projects by exposing them to increased pressure, temperature, and binding chemicals. The end result was functional floor coverings that were also rather lovely.

LAYERS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Although laminate floors are commonly referred to as laminate wood floors, they are only wood in two ways: the base material and the look.  Laminate flooring is made up of four layers: wear, design, core, and a back layer. Each layer has a specific purpose and is fused together with extreme heat and pressure. These strata are broken down below.

• Wear Layer

The laminate floor base is made up of pressed chipped wood particles. The surface layer of laminate flooring is thin flexible sheets of paper saturated with melamine. This topmost surface layer is a strong, transparent plastic sheet that is resistant to animals, furniture, stiletto heels, and other common abrasives.

• Image Layer 

The image layer is basically a very well photograph of wood housed in a clear, resilient wear layer, giving the top the appearance of actual wood.  Sheets are formed by applying great pressure to aggregated wood particles. These sheets have a photorealistic image of wood or stone on top, which is protected by a wear layer. Laminate flooring can appear realistic even when viewed closely. This is because the laminate contains a photographic-quality picture of genuine wood behind the wear layer.

• Core Layer

A half-inch of wood-chip composites is visible behind the wood-grain image. Water damage is inherent in any form of wood chip product. The base of laminate flooring is extremely durable, but only to a specific extent. Laminate flooring can withstand some wetness, but only if the water is rapidly removed. The core layer, a tough, thin, clear plastic sheet, acts as a barrier between the delicate bottom layers and outside elements including moisture, UV radiation, and scratching.

• Back Layer

The back layer is the lowest layer. The back layer is in charge of preserving the plank from dampness and water and stabilizing the floor.

PROS AND CONS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

Laminate flooring, like any other flooring, adds several advantages and disadvantages to our buildings, and some of these can be seen throughout its installation.

Pros:

• Laminated flooring is simple to clean.
• It is very resistant to scratches.
• Laminate floors are ideal for high-traffic areas.
• In comparison to other flooring options, laminated flooring is quite inexpensive. Despite the fact that certain luxury laminate floors can be as expensive as hardwood flooring or engineered wood flooring.

Cons:

• It can be damaged by dampness or in damp environments.
• Its main downside is that its upper surface may shatter.
• It is not suitable for moist environments, which is why it works. Inadequate for full bathrooms
• Its reselling value is lower.

TECHNIQUE OF LAMINATE INSTALLATION

Even though laminate floors feature a modified tongue-and-groove manner of attaching boards, they install similarly to genuine hardwood flooring. However, contrary to wooden floors, laminate floors are incredibly simple to install with only basic equipment. Laminated floors are always installed as floating floors. This means it does not have the challenging bead installation associated with hardwood or engineered wood. The floating floor procedure begins with installing affordable foam underlayment, following the installation of laminate planks.

HOW LONG WILL THE LAMINATED FLOOR LAST?

Due to its multi-layer composition, laminate is an incredibly durable product. Laminate is scratch and fade-resistant, and it is simple to clean. Because of its durability and sturdiness laminate can withstand heavy usage, making it a perfect flooring choice for lively families with children and pets roaming around. This product is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms if adequate precautions, such as a moisture barrier, are taken, although it is not suitable for high moisture locations. Laminate can appear as good as new with proper care.

Laminate floors are ideal for mostly used rooms and busy families’ homes. They have the look of natural stone or wood but are much more durable and require no care. Visit Ebony Woods to read about the many possibilities available and to discover the appropriate floor for you.