What is Wood Laminate Flooring [The Truth!!]

The flooring of a house is one of its most distinguishing characteristics.

Wood flooring continues to be one of the most popular choices since it is a naturally inviting, visually appealing, and timelessly classic material.

While many older, more conventional homes still have their original hardwood floors, many modern homes have laminate flooring instead.

What is laminate flooring and how does it work?

It is a type of imitation hardwood that has a natural appearance similar to wood but is less expensive.

What is Wood Laminate Flooring ?

Floating wood tile (also known as laminate flooring in the United States) is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product that is fused together by the use of a laminating process.

Laminate flooring is a type of flooring that looks like wood (or stone in some cases) and is protected by a clear protective layer overlaid with a photographic appliqué layer.

Laminate Flooring

Floor coverings made of particleboard wood are known as the laminate flooring.

They have a particleboard wood foundation that is topped with an image layer and a clear wear layer.

Living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and other sections of the home that are not subjected to severe dampness are among the most common places to install laminate floors.

Laminate Flooring Materials

Despite the fact that laminate floors are only partially formed of wood in two ways, they are usually referred to as laminate wood floors.

First and foremost, the laminate floor base is constructed of wood particles that have been crushed together.

Because of the precise image layer, the top has the appearance of real wood—basically, a well-rendered photograph of wood contained in a clear, resistant wear layer—and is thus more durable.

Wood particles are compressed and subjected to high pressure to create sheets.

A photorealistic image of wood or stone is applied to the top of these sheets, and the image is protected from degradation by a protective wear layer on the bottom.

The wear layer, a tough, thin, clear plastic sheet, acts as a barrier between the fragile bottom layers and outside elements like moisture, ultraviolet rays, and scratches.

It is constructed of polycarbonate plastic.

Wearing Layers:

Laminate flooring is a surface layer made up of two thin sheets of melamine-impregnated paper that are put over a subfloor.

It is comprised of a strong, translucent plastic sheet that is impervious to dogs, chairs, high heels, and other common irritants.

It is the topmost layer of the surface.

Optional Image Layer:

Even when viewed closely, laminate flooring may appear to be genuine.

This is due to the photographic-quality image of genuine wood printed behind the wear layer on the laminate.

Core (Base Layer):

This is the system’s base.

A half-inch of wood-chip composite can be found behind the wood grain photographs.

Because of the nature of the substance, water damage can occur in any type of wood chip product.

The base of laminate flooring is widely recognized to be dimensionally stable, but only to a certain extent.

It can withstand a certain amount of water if it is emptied as quickly as possible.

Comparing the Appearance of Laminate and Hardwood

Hardwood

PROS – Hardwood flooring has a gorgeous, natural texture that appeals to a wide variety of homeowners.

There are numerous types of wood, dyes, and finishes to pick from, resulting in a plethora of alternatives.

CONS – If hardwood floors are not properly maintained, they can easily become scratched.

Aside from that, some varieties of hardwood floors might become discolored if they are left exposed to the sun for an extended amount of time.

Laminate

PROS – Because laminate flooring does not scratch as quickly as hardwood flooring, the appearance of laminate flooring will not vary much over time.

CONS – Laminate flooring is made of synthetic materials, and while its design typically mimics the appearance of wood, it does not have the same authentic appearance.

Hardwood flooring is the most appealing in terms of look.

The Cost of Laminate Versus Hardwood

The reality of flooring expenses and your financial ability to pay for them may be worlds away.

Consider the differences in price between laminate and hardwood flooring to discover which is the best option for you.

Hardwood

CONS – Solid wood flooring can be expensive, ranging from $5 to $10 per square foot, when installed.

Nonetheless, keep in mind that because hardwood flooring is created from harvested trees, prices vary depending on whatever sort of wood you select.

In general, the cost of purchasing and installing hardwood is significantly higher.

Laminate

PROS – Laminate wood flooring is manufactured from composite wood that is pressed together at high temperatures to create a solid surface.

The image of hardwood is then placed on top of the composite wood, completely covering it to create the laminated wood.

Not only are the materials themselves less expensive, but the cost of laminate wood installation is on average 50% less expensive than the cost of hardwood installation.

The cost of laminate flooring, including installation, can range from $3 to $7 per square foot.

In this case, the specific costs will vary depending on the types of materials chosen and the size of your home.

Laminate flooring is the most cost-effective option.

The Durability of Laminate Versus Hardwood

Evaluate the amount of traffic and wear and tear on the flooring in your home.

A more durable surface is less difficult to maintain and will continue to look wonderful for many years.

But, when compared to hardwood flooring, how durable is laminate flooring?

Hardwood

PROS – Hardwood is the real deal; it is beautiful and, depending on the type of wood used, can add a significant amount of value to your property.

Cons – Hardwood is vulnerable to scratching and can be destroyed by excessive dampness.

It will also show signs of wear, especially in heavily-trafficked areas.

Laminate

Pros – Because laminate is created from pressed wood, it is more durable and resistant to scratches, wetness, and wear and tear than other types of flooring.

Laminate flooring is also less difficult to clean than other types of flooring.

CONS – Although laminate is more durable, it is not as aesthetically pleasing as other materials.

Lower-quality laminates may feature wood grain textures that are more fake in appearance.

Hardwood flooring is the most durable for Repair.

Which rooms are best suited for hardwood versus laminate flooring?

In addition to pricing, durability, and repair, you should think about where the greatest (and worst) spots are in the house for each type of floor.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is both elegant and long-lasting, making it an excellent choice for places with low traffic, such as bedrooms and dining rooms.

However, if you have pets or a lot of foot traffic in your home, your hardwood floors may become scratched and worn over the course of time.

Water-logged basements and bathrooms are also not ideal environments for hardwood flooring installation.

On the other hand, exposure to direct sunlight on a regular basis can cause your hardwood floors to fade over time.

Laminate

Because laminate flooring is so resilient, it is less prone to damage caused by pets and foot activity than other types of flooring.

Despite the fact that it is more moisture-resistant than hardwood, it should not be installed in a consistently wet part of the home.

Because of its topcoat, laminate flooring does not normally fade as quickly or visibly as hardwood flooring when exposed to sunlight, and it may be used safely in rooms with large windows without fear of fading.

Our Final Thoughts

Both hardwood flooring and laminate flooring have advantages and disadvantages.

Hardwood floors are more expensive than laminate, but they are easier to maintain and endure longer than the latter.

The advantages and disadvantages of laminate flooring include the fact that it does not fade or scratch as quickly as hardwood, but that repairs may necessitate refinishing the entire floor.

To choose which choice is ideal for your home, examine the advantages and disadvantages of each option while also taking your lifestyle into consideration.

Having dogs, young children, or living in a high-traffic area may have an impact on your selection.

Frequently Ask Questions