Laminated Wood Flooring

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product fused together with a lamination process. Laminate flooring simulates wood (or sometimes stone) with a photographic printed layer under a clear protective layer (wear layer). The inner core layer is usually composed of melaminae resin and fibre board materials. There is a European Standard specifying laminate floor covering requirements and testing methods.

Laminate flooring has grown significantly in popularity because it is easier to install and maintain than more traditional surfaces such as hardwood flooring. It also has the advantages of costing less and requiring less skill to install than alternative flooring materials. It is extremely durable, hygenic and very easy to maintain. It has a plastic (melamine resin) surface derived from formaldehyde and because it is usually designed for light domestic use (AC2 – AC3) may be less durable than more conventional flooring, having a probable life of less than fifteen years than those of AC4 Light Commercial or AC5 Heavy Medium/Heavy Commercial, 15-30 Years as those found at our store. Note that the formaldehyde content of high end laminate flooring is also carefully monitored & governed by European standards institutions but beware of cheap imitation brands who do not comply with these standards.