Types Of Laminate Flooring & Everything You Need to Know Before Installing

Some people give laminate flooring a bad rep, but it can be a great choice depending on your needs. As one of the most popular flooring options on the market, it is well-known for its exceptional performance, affordable cost, alluring styles, and versatility. Because of these qualities, home and business owners worldwide enjoy quick and easy laminate floor renovations or installations. 

But what exactly is laminate flooring made of? Is it durable against wear and tear? What is its composition? What are the different types of laminate flooring? Where can you install it? These are common questions when comparing laminate flooring options, and if you know nothing about flooring, they can be hard to answer. 

Fortunately, our team at Baker Bros has expertly answered these questions and explains the various kinds of laminate flooring to help you decide if it's right for your home or business.  

Key Takeaways

• Laminate flooring is a popular, affordable option known for its durability, versatility, and realistic designs.
• It is constructed from multiple layers that enhance strength, moisture resistance, and overall performance.
• Laminate can mimic wood, tile, or stone, offering stylish alternatives at a lower cost.
• Different surface types—textured, smooth, and distressed—affect both appearance and maintenance.
• Laminate flooring is easy to install, simple to maintain, and suitable for many areas of the home. 

What Is Laminate Flooring Made Of?

The process of manufacturing laminate flooring is relatively straightforward. It is typically constructed with four layers: design, core, wear, and back. Each layer plays a crucial role in creating the high-quality flooring product, as they are fused using intense pressure and high heat to create a solid plank. Below is a simple breakdown of these four layers:

• Core layer: Positioned above the back layer, the core layer is a high-density, durable board that protects the laminate from moisture and indentations.
• Back layer: This layer balances the flooring material and, like the core layer, protects the laminate planks from moisture.
• Wear layer: This transparent surface layer is made from aluminum oxide, protecting the laminate against spills, stains, water, and daily wear.
• Design layer: Composed of melamine resin, this layer sits on top of the core layer and displays a high-resolution photograph of the laminate’s surface appearance. 

Is Laminate Flooring Durable?

Due to its multi-layer construction, laminate flooring is sturdy and reliable, making it suitable for many rooms in both homes and businesses. The wear layer is resistant to fading, scratching, and other everyday accidents. This high-quality durability allows laminate floors to handle greater foot traffic, thus making laminate floors excellent for active families or households with pets and children. 

Laminate flooring is also water resistant, meaning it performs well in bathrooms and kitchens. However, this is only effective if proper precautions, such as a moisture barrier, are in place. It is not recommended for areas with excessive water exposure or significant moisture. With the correct care, laminate flooring can maintain its original appearance from day one and last many years.

What Are The Different Laminate Flooring Types?

Laminate floors are an increasingly popular flooring choice due to their significant design improvements. Designed to mimic the appearance of wood, stone, or tile, laminate offers both affordability and durability while still providing the beauty of natural flooring materials. Below, you will discover the two common types of laminate flooring:

Tile-Look Laminate Flooring

Tile is a sought-after material known for its waterproof durability and elegant designs. However, many households find it challenging to install tile floors due to the high cost, complex installation process, and maintenance requirements. 

This is where tile-look laminate flooring comes in. These floors offer styles that mimic natural stone, porcelain, and ceramic, allowing you to achieve the tile look on a more budget-friendly floor.

Wood-Look Laminate Flooring

Real wood and engineered wood flooring can be fantastic investments, but they are often beyond the budget of many homeowners.

Many people love the timeless appearance of solid hardwood flooring but need a more affordable alternative that doesn't compromise on aesthetics. Hardwood is chosen for its durability, making it challenging to find a cost-friendly alternative that maintains its appearance through daily use. Luckily, wood-look laminate flooring is an excellent alternative. 

With laminate engineered flooring, you can easily achieve the look of numerous realistic wood species, such as mahogany, pine, oak, cherry, ash, and more. In today's market, you can find a wide range of wood grain patterns, tones, laminate flooring plank sizes, and textures, allowing you to bring your flooring design visions to life.

Are There Different Laminate Flooring Surface Types? 

When choosing laminate flooring, it's essential to consider the different surface types available. These typically fall into three categories: textured, distressed, and smooth. Textured laminate flooring is one of the more popular options because it closely resembles the materials it's trying to mimic. However, textured surfaces can be harder to clean. 

Smooth laminate flooring is another popular choice because it is the easiest to clean, but it often appears less realistic when trying to imitate tile patterns or wood textures.

Distressed hand-scraped laminate flooring, although not everyone's first choice, is designed to look intentionally aged, offering an antique appearance at a significantly lower cost. However, like textured laminate flooring, it can be more challenging to maintain and clean. 

What Are The Benefits Of Laminate Floors?

Still uncertain if laminate flooring is the best option for your home or business? Here are some benefits of laminate floors:

• Durable: The high-density laminate planks have a highly resistant protective surface that protects against scratches, stains, scuffs, and fading.
• Straightforward to clean and maintain: Laminate floors are both simple to clean and maintain, thanks to their hard-sealed surface with a stain-resistant overlay. You only need a vacuum cleaner and a mop with a mild detergent to clean these floors. 
• Dirt repellent: The melamine resin surface provides an effective dirt-repellant barrier, preventing the spread and growth of germs, which results in a healthier indoor environment.
• Saves time: Laminate floor installation is straightforward. Multiple contractors can simultaneously work on installing the flooring, and once the floating installation is completed, the floors can be used immediately. This quick and easy installation process makes laminate floors an economical and time-saving solution.
• Affordable: Laminate floors are an excellent reproduction of wood materials, offering an inexpensive alternative to hardwood floors.
• Excellent surface stability: Laminate floors can withstand water exposure and undergo minimal swelling, making them ideal for use in kitchens.

Where Can You Install Laminate Flooring?

Whether you are renovating a small ensuite bathroom or your entire property, laminate flooring is an excellent choice of flooring material. 

You can choose from a wide range of laminate floor finishes, from high-density wood to stone and natural tile. This variety allows you to transform your space into one that is visually and aesthetically appealing. Below is a list of some areas where you can install laminate flooring:

• Laundry rooms
• Playrooms
• Bedrooms
• Living spaces
• Mudrooms
• Hallways
• Entryways
• Kitchens

At Baker Bros, we can help you choose the laminate flooring that will look best in the area where you plan to install it. 

What Is The Average Laminate Flooring Price?

Laminate flooring costs can vary due to several factors, including quality, brand, type of laminate, and installation costs. Generally, you can expect to pay around $2 to $5 per square foot for laminate flooring. Product thickness design can affect the cost.

FAQs

What is laminate flooring made of?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers: a core layer for durability, a back layer for moisture protection, a wear layer for surface protection, and a design layer that gives it its appearance.

Is laminate flooring durable?

Yes, laminate flooring is highly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and fading, making it a great option for busy households with pets and children.

What types of laminate flooring are available?

The two main types are wood-look laminate and tile-look laminate, both designed to replicate the appearance of natural materials at a more affordable price.

Is laminate flooring easy to maintain?

Laminate flooring is very easy to maintain. Regular vacuuming and mopping with a mild detergent are usually enough to keep it clean.

Where can laminate flooring be installed?

Laminate flooring can be installed in many areas, including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, hallways, and playrooms, as long as moisture exposure is controlled.

How much does laminate flooring cost?

Laminate flooring typically costs between $2 and $5 per square foot, depending on factors like quality, design, and installation.

Contact Baker Bros Today For Your Laminate Flooring Needs

At Baker Bros, our experienced team is here to answer all your flooring questions. Visit us in-store and we’ll walk you through hundreds of options at Arizona’s largest flooring retailer.