An increasingly popular option for homes and commercial spaces, laminate floors offer flexibility, durability and cost-effectiveness to your premises. There are many different options and designs for laminate floors, and their authentic look and feel make them very desirable.

A laminate floor is made of pressed wood and placed on top of foam that underlies the surface. Because of this foam underlayment, laminate floors are softer on the feet and more comfortable. In fact, laminate floors do not physically attach to the subfloor layer. This makes them flexible and cost-effective options for your floors. Understanding more about laminate floors can enable you to make smarter, more effective decisions. 

Structure of Laminate floors

Laminate floors exist in distinct layers. The bottom layer is called the backing, and it is designed to be moisture-resistant. This is an important feature because moisture can cause the top boards to warp and detach from each other.

The layer above the backing is the inner core. This is the basic component of laminate floors, and it is made of high-density fiberboard.  The fiberboard is enhanced with resin to increase durability and moisture resistance.

On top of the inner core is the image design layer. It is the most visible and aesthetically appealing layer, where different images can be cast on top of the material to match your desired theme. A variety of high-resolution images can be applied, such as wood, stone or metal. These high-resolution images are what give laminate flooring its flexibility in appearance.

Laminate vs other types of floors

Laminate floors are different from other floor types such as hardwood, vinyl and marble. Laminate floors can be distinguished from hardwood floors because they are simply not made of wood. The images in their design may resemble wood, making it likely for some people to confuse them.

Vinyl flooring also tends to be confused with laminate. However, you can differentiate vinyl flooring from laminate because it is made from vinyl material and has no distinct layers.

Benefits of Laminate floors

• Versatility: Laminate floors can be designed to simulate the look of many different types of floors. They offer the flexibility for you to achieve different looks for your property. 
• They don't easily stain because they have a protective upper layer.
• They are easy to install
• Are resistant to the growth of mold and bacteria
• More affordable than hardwood and stone floors

If you have several flooring options to choose from, laminate floors should top your choice. You'll certainly not regret it. Contact local laminate flooring services for more information and assistance.