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Laminate Flooring

WHAT IS LAMINATE FLOORING MADE FROM?

Laminate flooring is constructed in layers. The bottom layer is the “backing”. It’s designed to resist moisture that could cause boards to warp.

Above the backing is the inner core. The core is made from high-density fiberboard that is reinforced with a special resin to further enhance moisture resistance and increase durability.

Next is the image design layer. This is where the high-resolution image of wood, stone, metal, or other material appears. If you’ve selected a laminate floor with MasterWorks Technology® with VTX™, this is where the texture is applied to enhance its realistic appeal.

The top layer is the wear layer. This layer protects the design from fading, scratches, and damage from everyday wear and tear.

LAMINATE STYLE AND AFFORDABILITY

Laminate was originally created as an affordable alternative to hardwood. Back in the 1970s when laminate flooring was first introduced to the market, homeowners loved the fact that they could get a durable floor that looked like wood, but didn’t have the hardwood price tag.

In those early days, style was sacrificed for affordability. If you had a laminate floor back then, it may have looked like wood, but it probably also looked fake or “plastic-y”, which used to be a drawback of this flooring type.

Today, advanced printing technologies have enabled manufacturers to create a wide variety of laminate visuals that look so close to their original source, they can even fool flooring experts