Laminate flooring is an excellent alternative to timber when wanting to achieve a timber look in your home but without the high cost of real timber.Three principal layers which are compressed together using a high-pressure process is how Laminate floors are constructed, making it very durable and hardwearing. The base layer of laminate is an impermeable, layer underneath the base that improves its structural stability and serves as a moisture barrier. The thick, middle layer is a wooden composite base. The topmost layer of laminate flooring is the wearing surface and the decorative layer that, depending on the production process, can consist of several layers. It consists of a special resin-treated cellulose and gives the floor a tough, durable surface and makes it visually attractive.
The Decorative Layer – This is the surface layer of the laminate timber floor, the look and feel that gives it the beauty and elegance of a real hardwood board. You might be surprised to find out this layer is a high-definition photograph of a particular wood species or type of tile. This layer is sealed using a resin-based coating to provide the floor with resistance to scratching, UV rays, burning ash, embers, and chemical agents.
The Core Layer – The layer that provides laminate floors with its true durability. The laminate core layer is made of a highly compressed, High Density Fiberboard (HDF). It is this that protects against high-heeled shoes and falling objects, known as localized shocks.
The Backing Layer – This is the stability layer. The layer that binds the laminate together. The backing layer is made to float over the top of the foam under layer, making the laminate a floating floor and further differing it from hardwood floors.