Bobs Carpet and Tile

Laminate flooring was originally developed in Sweden in the early eighties and has since evolved into a durable and versatile flooring product. Since reaching North America in the early 90s, laminate flooring has become increasingly popular, in part due to its ease of installation. Laminate flooring is often confused with engineered wood flooring because the two products come in similar formats, but they are constructed much differently. Engineered wood flooring is an assembly of solid wood layers. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, does not contain solid wood. The basic components of laminate flooring are:

Backing layer--This is the lowermost surface. It may be anything from a layer of paper to plastic laminate or melamine. Better backings, such as the latter two, are more effective at preventing moisture from being drawn into the flooring. However, the backing serves primarily as a balancing layer to stabilize the product.

Substrate--Sometimes called the core, it is usually made of high-density fiberboard (HDF). In some less expensive products the substrate may be medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is less resistant to impact damage and less resistant to being dented by heavy furniture.

Decorative layer--This is sometimes called the photo layer or décor layer. It gives each floor its appearance and consists of one or more sheets of paper impregnated with melamine resin. Because the layer is a printed surface, laminate flooring offers a tremendous range of looks, from wood to stone and even ceramic tile. Solid colors are also available.

Wear layer--This is a clear aluminum oxide finish that protects the decorative layer. It imparts the desired level of sheen, from full gloss to low gloss. Laminate flooring is available in square-edged or beveled edge T&G planks and as square tiles. Planks are often about 4-feet long but other lengths are available. The length of the plank affects how quickly the floor can be completed, and may also affect its appearance. This also applies to variations in plank width. The thickness of laminate flooring ranges from 6mm (approximately 1/4 inch) to 12 millimeters. Thickness changes typically involve only the substrate, however. The thickness of the floor has a substantial effect on its cost as well as its durability: