Laminate Flooring – How is it made?

Published on Wednesday, September 14th, 2022

Laminate flooring - how is it made

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its affordability, durability, and easy installation. But have you ever wondered how laminate flooring is made? In this blog post, we will explore the manufacturing process of laminate flooring and what goes into making it. 

If you have any questions about laminate flooring or want to see some options in person, feel free to contact us! We’re happy to invite you to our flooring showroom so you can see your options.

First of all, what exactly is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a manufactured material that is made to resemble hardwood, natural stone, and tile flooring. In Scottsdale laminate flooring is a common alternative to all-natural hardwood flooring. Modern manufacturing innovations have allowed us the ability to be able to recreate the natural beauty of these other surfaces in a similarly durable and beautiful laminate.

The Pros and Cons of Scottsdale Laminate Flooring

If you’re looking to add a new flooring type to your home, Scottsdale laminate is a great option. It’s important to do some research on your flooring options, so we’ll go over a few of the most prominent benefits and drawbacks of this particular type of material. Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of if laminate is a good option for your home!

Benefits of Laminate Flooring

There are lots of reasons to love laminate flooring, and that’s why so many Scottsdale homeowners include laminate floors in their homes! Here are just a few of the reasons why laminate floors are so popular.

  • Laminate is able to mimic the look of different types of flooring materials, such as hardwood, stone, and tile
  • Comes in a variety of styles, colors, and designs
  • Can be installed anywhere hardwood can
  • Laminate is easier to install than hardwood, making it a great option for homeowners who love a good DIY project
  • Easy to clean and maintain (just run the vacuum over it or give it a quick mop, and you’re good to go!)
  • Considerably less expensive than its counterpart, hardwood
  • Durable material that is more moisture-resistant than hardwood

Drawbacks of Laminate Flooring

Just like with any flooring material, laminate also has its drawbacks. For some homeowners, these drawbacks might be dealbreakers, but to others, the benefits definitely outweigh the risk. Here are some of the cons of laminate flooring.

  • Has a considerably shorter lifespan than hardwood (15 – 20 years vs. 50+ years for hardwood)
  • Will never be able to perfectly match the look of hardwood — nothing compares to the real thing
  • Because of its shorter lifespan, your floors may need to be replaced more often
  • Laminate floors cannot be refinished like natural and engineered hardwood can

So, laminate flooring – how is it made?

The process of creating laminate flooring pieces is very complex but we will break it down into simple terms. We know that not everyone is as enamored with flooring terms and technologies as we are, that’s why we like to share our knowledge in easy-to-digest articles.

There are a couple of different types of laminate flooring, which are created with different processes. There is direct pressure laminate flooring and high pressure laminate flooring. By understanding the manufacturing differences between the two, you can more easily distinguish the different qualities that they possess.

Direct pressure laminate flooring is the more common of the two as it is less expensive to produce. High pressure laminate is a more expensive and more durable alternative. They both have the same basic process to go through, which consists of a layered structure very similar to a proportionate lasagna casserole.

General Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing process of laminate flooring is quite complex. It starts with a core layer, which is usually made from high-density fiberboard (HDF) or chipboard. This core layer gives the flooring its strength and stability and provides moisture resistance. Next comes the design layer, which gives the laminate its color, texture, and pattern. The design layer typically consists of a photographic image that has been bonded to the board with resins. On top of this design layer is an outerwear layer, which provides protection against scratches and fading caused by everyday foot traffic. This wear layer is usually made from melamine resin or aluminum oxide particles, both of which are highly durable materials that can withstand years of use without showing signs of wear or tear. Finally, there is a backing layer on the bottom side, which also helps provide stability and moisture resistance as well as insulation against sound. 

Once all these layers are in place, they are fused together under intense heat and pressure using a lamination process. This creates a strong bond between each individual piece to form one cohesive sheet that can be cut into planks for installation on your floors. The final product is then packaged in boxes for shipment to retailers around the world.  

The Direct Pressure Laminate Flooring Layers

Backing Layer

The backing layer is the stabilizing layer that holds everything together. These would be the large pasta strips at the bottom of the pan. The backing layer provides the sturdy, stable platform for the laminate and also helps to block out moisture.

Core Board Layer

The core layer is just as it name implies – the center layer providing the internal support of the flooring.  This layer is the melty cheese keeping your pasta in contact with the meat and the sauce. The core is made of some type of fiberboard or particle board and takes most of the internal abuse, providing support for the weight stresses that occur on a daily basis.

Decorative Layer

The decorative layer is what gives the laminate its distinctive design. It is nothing more than a photo reproduction of the natural item that mimics its natural counterpart.

The wear layer is the outermost layer that helps laminate to be such a durable type of flooring. This layer is usually coated with melamine or aluminum oxide in order to protect the laminate from normal wear and tear as well as spill and stain resistance and decorative fading.

These layers are combined in a fusion process involving over 600 pounds of pressure per inch at temperatures of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In this process, the core layer is sandwiched together by the backing layer and the decorative layer, and the overlay is added afterwards.

That is how laminate flooring comes to exist as we know it. As mentioned earlier, there are many Scottsdale hardwood and laminate flooring pros and cons to go over when deciding on a floor, but now you are a more informed flooring consumer.

Thinking of adding laminate flooring to your home? Look no further than Scottsdale Flooring America!

Laminate flooring has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners due to its affordability, durability, and easy installation process. Its production requires precise control over each step of the manufacturing process in order to create a high-quality product that will stand up to years of use without showing signs of wear or tear. So next time you walk across your laminate floors at home, take a moment to appreciate all that went into making it possible!

To learn more about our laminate flooring options, or to see our selection in person, call Scottsdale Flooring America today at 480-451-9600. We look forward to helping you pick the perfect laminate floor!

About Us

Scottsdale Flooring America has been family owned and operated in the valley for over 20 years. Our team believes in the value of local ownership and deep roots within the community. You will receive expert help finding the perfect flooring in Scottsdale for your home with…

Contact Info

10250 N
90th St Scottsdale Suite #102,
AZ 85258
Telephone: 480-451-9600
Email: info@scottsdaleflooringamerica.com