Consumers have several options for laminate flooring, which ranges from wood to natural finishes. This item is ideal for living rooms, foyers, and corridors.

What is Laminate Flooring made of? the four laminate flooring layers are held together by a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core. Compressed wood fibers derived from wood chips are used to create HDF.

Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring product that is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. It is made up of multiple layers, including a core layer primarily made from melamine resin and fiber board material, and a top layer with an imprinted textured image made to look like real wood.

Video: What is Laminate Flooring Made Of?

Other Laminate Wood Flooring vs. Vinyl

Which Is Better for Flooring, Between Hardwood and Laminate?

Many homeowners’ options for new flooring typically come down to hardwood or laminate. The differences between these two types of flooring can be perplexing at first, so we created a straightforward comparison of hardwood versus laminate, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each flooring material in terms of appearance, toughness, longevity, simplicity of upkeep and repair, and eco-friendliness.

The Foundation

A multilayer synthetic flooring product is laminate. It is intended to resemble natural wood in appearance. Melamine resin and fiberboard are generally used to produce laminate flooring’s core layer. An imprinted, textured image with a wood-like appearance is present in the top Layer.

A form of wood floor called engineered hardwood flooring comprises numerous layers of plywood or wood. Solid wood or plywood planks are cross-laid to create the bottom and middle layers. Solid sawn wood lamellas make up the top Layer, which is frequently stained and factory-finished. Solid hardwood flooring planks, which you can buy untreated or prefinished, are made from single pieces of wood.

What is Laminate Flooring made of

In essence, laminate flooring imitates solid or engineered hardwood flooring made from genuine wood and maintains the distinctive rough grain and appearance of natural wood. While specific high-quality laminate flooring options may resemble natural wood, these products have many more variances than the eye may initially see.

Visual appeal and aesthetics

The distinction between hardwood and laminate floors is blatantly apparent in appearance. Since natural wood grain varies greatly, no two planks of hardwood flooring—solid or engineered—exactly resemble one another. In laminate flooring, the floor surface is embossed with pre-designed patterns that mimic the appearance of wood texture. Because of this, identical patterns appear on average every five boards.

Although specific high-quality laminate flooring may appear to be made of natural wood, repetition is inevitable because it is difficult to imitate the originality of natural wood.

Durability

Any flooring surface’s durability largely depends on the volume of foot activity it receives and adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining the floor.

Most laminate floors are created by pressing aluminum oxide and melamine resin together under intense pressure and heat to create the outer Layer. The resulting floor surface is frequently more durable than natural wood. In addition, most laminate floor surfaces resist fading, staining, and moisture damage. Several trustworthy laminate flooring producers have finish guarantees ranging from 10 to 25 years.

A natural hardwood floor’s durability varies depending on the finish, the manufacturer, and care procedures. Natural wood can dent more quickly than a pressured composite surface because it is softer. As opposed to damaged laminate flooring, solid or engineered hardwood floors can often be refinished, rejuvenated, or mended without replacing individual planks or even the entire floor.

For instance, if a plank of oiled wood is harmed, it can be repaired by manually sanding the harmed region and adding more color and oil. Simple DIY spot repairs are not viable with laminate flooring.

Minor surface dents and scratches on hardwood floors, such as those with wire brushed and oiled finishes, naturally fit in with the current look, highlighting the distinctive appearance and depth of wood texture.

Surfaces of laminate flooring scraped or chipped will display the damage.

Moisture

Wood is a living, breathing substance that reacts to changes in temperature and humidity. Because of this, solid and engineered hardwood floors ought to be set up in areas where humidity levels are controlled and kept between 45 and 55 percent for solid floors and 45 and 65 percent for engineered floors.

Despite the better dimensional stability of engineered hardwood floors, most wood floor producers do not advise using them in bathrooms or kitchens, two spaces where humidity and temperature can vary greatly. Multilayer or engineered hardwood flooring is preferred over solid hardwood in hot, humid locations like Florida.

Because of their excellent moisture resistance, laminate floors are frequently installed in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly read the manufacturer’s warranty and advice to prevent making expensive errors.

Repairs are simple

Laminate flooring is challenging to repair. Damaged planks can be removed and changed in floating laminate flooring, which is put by snapping individual pieces together and setting them down without glue. The glue-down method of installing laminate flooring makes floor repair quite challenging.

Sanding or repainting laminate is not an option. Due to variations in sunlight exposure, age, and wear levels, likely, new pieces will not accurately match the rest of the floor, even if broken planks are removed and replaced.

Hardwood flooring, whether solid or manufactured, is far simpler to repair than laminate. The entire floor can be sanded and restored if significant surface damage occurs, depending on the kind of finish; who can fix localized damage by removing and replacing individual planks or by physically sanding, staining, and refinishing the affected area? With wire-brushed and oiled hardwood floors, spot repairs are straightforward and may be completed DIY-style in a few hours.

Simple Maintenance

The only upkeep required for laminate flooring is routine sweeping, dry mopping, or cleaning with a damp cloth.

Solid and engineered hardwood floors need more maintenance; they should be cleaned using specialized hardwood flooring cleaners that preserve and restore the finish, particularly those recommended by the manufacturer. However, it is better to avoid using all-purpose cleaners, detergents, or furniture polish because they might damage the floor’s finish, temporarily dull it, or even permanently dull it. In addition, improper care methods typically nullify all manufacturer-issued warranties.

Most hardwood floors are durable against several common household chemicals, red wine, and Coca-Cola. Still, it is crucial to wipe up any spills promptly and to periodically mop the floor to maintain the beauty of the surface for many years to come.

Longevity

Compared to hardwood flooring, the lifespan of laminate flooring is relatively short. According to estimates, a laminate floor should only need to be replaced after 20 years on average. Unfortunately, the average family will deteriorate the floor finish after twenty years. In addition, due to accumulated wear-and-tear, surface scratches, and damages, laminate floors cannot be sanded or refinished, resulting in the floor’s destruction.

On the other hand, if properly maintained, solid and engineered hardwood floors can last a lifetime (40–80 years or more). This is because the floor can be sanded and refinished after the current finish is sufficiently worn down. Most solid hardwood floors can be sanded 6-7 times, compared to 4 times for high-quality engineered hardwood floors. In addition, natural wood floors readily outlast laminate, given that the typical interval between sanding is 10 to 20 years.

Finally, solid and engineered hardwood floors can be disposed of (or recycled) without harming the environment when it comes time to replace the old flooring. Who can’t compare laminate in the same way?

Eco-friendliness

Since solid flooring planks are made from single pieces of wood, solid hardwood floors are entirely organic. Engineered hardwood is made from multiple layers of plywood or solid wood, which is also primarily organic.

On the other hand, laminate floors are not biological because they are made by pressing melamine resin and different composite components together under tremendous pressure and heat.

Most hardwood flooring producers in North America and Europe follow tight industry standards, creating flooring with no dangerous VOC emissions and utilizing glue that doesn’t contain formaldehyde.

Large amounts of glue are utilized during laminate flooring production to join composite materials. These glues’ ingredients can be dubious, and it’s standard practice to utilize less expensive toxic glues that include formaldehyde and other hazardous substances. Once set up, these floors will continue to release hazardous materials into the air, endangering the health of nearby residents.

Although high-quality, non-toxic laminate floors are available, it is crucial to carefully investigate the manufacturer to be sure you are purchasing a quality, environmentally friendly product.

Engineered vs. Laminate Flooring

The choice between solid flooring, engineered flooring, and laminate flooring must be made when deciding what type of wood floor to utilize in a project.

There is occasionally a misunderstanding that laminate and engineered flooring are the same and are made of plastic or resin. When you state that a floor is “not real wood,” you may be referring to laminate flooring rather than engineered flooring because they are incredibly different.

Wood-plank flooring

Laminate flooring is made of a thin, pressed wood board with a fiberboard core and a repeated, printed image of wood fused. It is important to remember that laminate flooring is not constructed of plastic but rather from a mixture of wood fibers with a top layer of resin acting as a “wear layer.”

fabricated wood flooring

For increased stability and more straightforward installation, engineered flooring consists of a layer of natural wood nailed to a plywood subfloor. However, you may still obtain the genuine wood look with the extra ease of installation that an engineered plank offers thanks to the thicker piece of real, natural wood that makes up this type of flooring, known as a lamella.

Appearance

Laminate flooring presents the challenge of looking artificial and is unlike natural wood flooring because it is manufactured from the pressed wood board with an image of wood printed on it. The same couple of images is frequently reproduced in laminate flooring, resulting in an identical grain pattern every few planks. Since engineered flooring is composed of genuine wood, each piece has a distinctive grain pattern.

Longevity and resilience

When deciding between engineered and laminate flooring, you should examine the manufacturer, wood species, finish, projected traffic to the area, and other factors that affect the durability of wood flooring.

Unlike a laminate floor requiring a complete replacement, engineered flooring can typically be quickly repaired and refinished. In actuality, engineered hardwood flooring has a much longer life than laminate flooring.

In contrast to hardwood flooring, which can be polished and refinished, laminate floors often need to be replaced every 20 years. Therefore, engineered flooring may be the best option if you need something to last long or withstand wear and tear.

Environmental Impact

Since the flooring planks are formed from trees, engineered flooring is constructed from sustainable and organic materials. Reclaimed wood is an even more environmentally beneficial option for wood flooring than new trees used to make engineered hardwood flooring. Laminate flooring, in contrast, is created by joining various composite materials and kinds of resin, which is not at all biological. In practice, engineered hardwood flooring would be more environmentally friendly than laminate.

How is laminate flooring made, and what is it?

Through direct-pressure laminate (DPL) construction, four layers are fused in a single press operation at a high heat of over 300 °F. The most common fusing technique used to create laminate flooring for homes is DPL.

Layer D: Backer paper

Every Swiss Krono laminate flooring plank has a bottom balancing Layer at the bottom that maintains the board’s straightness. The backer seals the laminate board’s back to prevent any factors, such as moisture, from impairing the dimensional stability of the board. Underlayment or padding, which improves the acoustic properties of the floors when you walk on them, is sometimes applied to Swiss Krono laminate boards.

Layer C: HDF core or board

High-density fiberboard is the core layer of Swiss Krono laminate flooring (HDF). Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is another option. However, Swiss Krono does not use it to make its laminate flooring planks. Instead, HDF and MDF are created from softwood fibers that have been broken down, mixed with a binder consisting of wax and resin, and then pressed into the shape of panels. For the creation of laminate flooring, HDF, as opposed to MDF, gives more excellent stability and strength; it creates a better floor.

The HDF core will be machined throughout the manufacturing process to exact micron-level tolerances. To readily and consistently fit together for a snug, dependable installation by one of four locking systems, which will cut each plank’s edges to particular profiles. Only an HDF core can achieve the exceptional micron-milling precision needed for these locking systems’ panel profiles.

Layer B: The paper decoration

The decor or decorative paper layer follows. The laminate plank’s unusual appearance is a result of the decorative paper’s premium-quality printed pattern. A realistic recreation of wood, stone, or marble in various hues and patterns, as well as less conventional patterns like leaves or grass, artwork, or paint splatters, can be used to create that look.

Layer A: Put on or cover with

The wear or overlay layer is the top Layer of laminate flooring. In addition to giving every plank the last glossy touch, it performs several crucial tasks that improve the floor’s toughness:

The wear layer seals and shields the laminate floor’s surface against everyday wear and damage, including scuffs, scrapes, and scratches frequently brought on by pet claws, shoes, children’s toys, furniture legs, vacuum cleaners, and other items.

The decorative paper layer is protected from damaging UV radiation that could sag the color. Most people prefer spacious, open windows. The issue is that prolonged exposure to sunlight can expose the floor to a significant amount of UV rays if those windows face south or southwest. In addition, photodegradation (fading) caused by UV light can cause color chemical links to dissolve. In essence, without adequate Wear Layer protection, the color is “bleached” over time by the sun.

Depending on the intended flooring style, you’ll see a variety of finishes (from nearly matte to high-gloss) in the wear layer. As you can see, laminate flooring undergoes a lot of development to become a perfect floor for wear, affordability, and beauty. At Swiss Krono, we incorporate those crucial components and additional ones into each plank.

Laminate is now more resilient, simpler to install, and has a more realistic appearance.

“There are several advantages to laminate. It is robust. Installing it is simple. Its pricing is competitive, and its graphics are some of the most lifelike in the business.

This is stated by Jessica Chevalier, editor of Floor Focus Magazine, in the article “Laminate 2013,” a volume devoted to the laminate flooring business. For her essay, Chevalier interviewed nationwide flooring merchants and questioned them about laminate flooring. In particular, the essay discusses the following:

The persistent danger of category commoditization, rivalry with “Big Box” stores,

The false notion that all laminate flooring is a “cheap” option and the potential development of the laminate flooring market.

Here are some highlights that we thought were particularly intriguing and deserving of your attention:

The benefit of laminate flooring is its durability.

The Floor Focus article notes that laminate’s durability was its primary selling feature among the shops we spoke with. Its durability is second only to ceramic in active homes. It is stain, dent, and scratch-resistant. In other words, it can withstand abuse from both children and animals.

Experts concur that hardwood cannot be recognized from laminate flooring’s lifelike images.

The realism of top-notch laminate flooring is unrivaled! Another trade journal identified realism as a significant trend. Floor Focus gives the following wonderful tale:

A regional sales manager for a different laminate flooring business, Booth offers a tale from the National Wood Flooring Association trade event. In one booth, the flooring was a combination of laminate and hardwood. While at the show, some hardwood specialists indicated an interest in purchasing the laminate product despite not knowing it wasn’t made of hardwood. Therefore, laminate’s realism can be compelling at the upper end, even to an expert’s eye.

Laminate flooring’s decor-layer printing grows better and better.

The astounding realism of laminate flooring goods, especially Swiss Kronos, is mainly due to ongoing advancements in printing technology. Or, to use the words of one person in the piece,

“Baldwin (a retailer product manager) forecasts that laminate flooring will keep dominating the DIY market and that the market’s visual appeal will keep improving. He says, “Every time we think the printing hits its pinnacle, it gets even better.”

Over an existing floor, who can put laminate flooring?

Regarding the benefit of installing laminate over an existing floor, one dealer who was contacted for the Floor Focus article made an intriguing observation:

He stresses to consumers that by forgoing a subfloor installation, they are spending their money on the actual product rather than on the necessary preparations and that the money saved may be applied to a higher-quality floor covering. According to Donohoe, many vinyl buyers may upgrade to laminate when they learn that vinyl would need a subfloor.

Note: Read our “Can I Install Laminate Flooring Over This?” guide for advice on what you can and cannot install laminate flooring over for additional details regarding this benefit.

Conclusion

The distinctions between hardwood and laminate flooring are initially perplexing, but they are relatively straightforward upon closer inspection. Both materials are widely available on the flooring market, but solid or engineered hardwood flooring is typically better, healthier, and more environmentally friendly than laminate.

FAQS

Laminate flooring is stain-resistant.

Stain resistance is a laminate’s numerous features that make it durable. Here’s a stain we didn’t think about, but it’s essential for hair salon owners: Even hair dye won’t damage (laminate floors)!

Laminate flooring: what is it?

 We frequently receive inquiries about laminate and are here to clarify any misunderstandings.

The consumer market offers a variety of laminate flooring options, from wood to natural, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your space. This item works well in living rooms, hallways, and entryways.

Is Plastic Laminate Flooring Real?

Despite what many people think, laminate flooring is not made of plastic. Early laminate appeared to be constructed of plastic because it neglected aesthetics and design in favor of economy. However, thanks to modern production techniques, laminate now resembles solid oak or stone but costs much less.

What Constitutes Laminate?

The four laminate flooring layers are the wear layer, the design layer, the core layer, and the back layer. High heat and high pressure are used to fuse the layers, each with a specific function.

 Who can find a breakdown of these layers below?

Back Layer: the bottom Layer; supports the floor and shields the plank from moisture.

Above the back is the core layer, a sturdy, high-density board shielding against moisture and dents.

Above the core layer is the design layer, which contains a high-resolution image of the floor’s surface.

Wear Layer: The top Layer, comprised of transparent aluminum oxide, guards against fading, stains, and surface burns.

How Long-Lasting Is Laminate?

Laminate’s multilayer design makes for an incredibly durable product. Laminate is scuff and fade-resistant and is simple to clean. Laminate is a great flooring option for active families with children and pets running around because of its resilience, which allows it to withstand heavy usage. This product is not advised for locations with high moisture levels, but it is suitable for bathrooms and kitchens if the necessary safeguards are taken, such as a moisture barrier. In addition, laminate may maintain its original appearance with proper maintenance.