A brief introduction to how laminate flooring is made
When it comes to thinking about purchasing a new floor for your home, you have probably thought about laminate flooring and wondered how exactly it is made. Laminate floor panels are usually made from four basic layers. The first is the balancing layer, followed by the core layer, then the pattern layer and finally the wear layer. All these individual layers ensure the floor is both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
So the first balancing layer – or the backing or bottom layer it is also referred to as – is a sturdy base that stabilises the floor as withstands moisture by being made from moisture resistant resins. The next layer, the core layer, is made from H.D.F, or high density fibreboard, and is the main bulk of the panels. It is also made moisture resistant to prevent it from soaking up any moisture above or below.
The pattern layer is the decorative paper which gives laminate flooring its appearance of real wood, stone or ceramic. Made from highly durable paper, this layer is printed with a realistic looking wood grain or a stone/ceramic finish. Finally there is the wear layer which, as the name suggests, is the laminate flooring’s protective layer. Coated in a melamine resin, the floorboards then become almost completely resistant to burns, scratches and stains.
Laminate flooring is made using strips of board which are designed into simple but clever tongue-and-groove panels. These can then easily be slotted into place to create a smooth and authentic finish. Although easy to install, some still prefer to hire a professional to fit them to that the finish is as perfect as possible.
Laminate flooring is a fairly inexpensive alternative to the real thing like hard wood or stone. A new firm favourite when it comes to flooring, over the last ten years the finishes have become more and more authentic, today making it often hard to distinguish between laminate flooring and the ‘real’ thing.
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