Laminate Flooring Basics

Laminate flooring is constructed by fusing a high resolution photo of real wood to a high density fiberboard core that has a moisture resistant backing. The HDF core is made by mixing sawdust with adhesives and compressing them together. A durable wear layer of clear cellulose, coated with resin and infused with aluminum oxide is added as a protective finish over the top of the photo of real wood. This protective finish makes laminate one of the most durable and scratch resistant floors on the market. Laminate is a good choice if your flooring will be subject to a lot of wear and tear from small children or pets.   

 

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses including 7mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm. The difference in the thickness of the flooring depends on the quality of the High Density Fiberboard (HDF) core. The higher the quality of the core, the thicker, more dent resistant, stable and less likely it is to warp.

 

Laminate flooring is one of the easiest flooring to install yourself, using a floating method. A moisture barrier or underlayment must be installed underneath the flooring to prevent moisture from seeping up through the foundation and into the core.      

 

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of styles, colors and textures, just like hardwood.  Once laminate flooring is installed you can only see the top surface. Since the wood look surface is created using high definition photography, it is hard to visually see the difference between hardwood and laminate, once it is installed. 

 

Laminate flooring is more durable and scratch resistant than hardwood, bamboo or cork, due to its protective finish of aluminum oxide. The quality and amount of aluminum oxide used determines the durability of the flooring and its ability to resist scratches, dents and burns. At www.woodwudyshop.com, we sell only the highest quality of laminates from the leading manufacturers who are committed to providing top grade products with superior surface finishes. For more information regarding laminate flooring, please contact us at 1-877-966-3983.