Laminate flooring was originally developed in Sweden in the early eighties and has since evolved into a durable and versatile flooring product. Since reaching North America in the early 90s, laminate flooring has become increasingly popular, in part due to its ease of installation. Laminate flooring is often confused with engineered wood flooring because the two products come in similar formats, but they are constructed much differently. Engineered wood flooring is an assembly of solid wood layers. Laminate flooring, on the other hand, does not contain solid wood. The basic components of laminate flooring are:

Backing layer--This is the lowermost surface. It may be anything from a layer of paper to plastic laminate or melamine. Better backings, such as the latter two, are more effective at preventing moisture from being drawn into the flooring. However, the backing serves primarily as a balancing layer to stabilize the product.

Substrate--Sometimes called the core, it is usually made of high-density fiberboard (HDF). In some less expensive products the substrate may be medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is less resistant to impact damage and less resistant to being dented by heavy furniture.

Decorative layer--This is sometimes called the photo layer or décor layer. It gives each floor its appearance and consists of one or more sheets of paper impregnated with melamine resin. Because the layer is a printed surface, laminate flooring offers a tremendous range of looks, from wood to stone and even ceramic tile. Solid colors are also available.

Wear layer--This is a clear aluminum oxide finish that protects the decorative layer. It imparts the desired level of sheen, from full gloss to low gloss. Laminate flooring is available in square-edged or beveled edge T&G planks and as square tiles. Planks are often about 4-feet long but other lengths are available. The length of the plank affects how quickly the floor can be completed, and may also affect its appearance. This also applies to variations in plank width. The thickness of laminate flooring ranges from 6mm (approximately 1/4 inch) to 12 millimeters. Thickness changes typically involve only the substrate, however. The thickness of the floor has a substantial effect on its cost as well as its durability:

Laminate products may be labeled with various performance standards. In the U.S., standards developed by NALFMA (North American Laminate Flooring Association) describe minimum performance standards for laminate flooring, based on a battery of tests of durability, impact resistance, swelling, stain resistance, and resistance to sunlight fading. Products bearing the NALFMA seal meet these requirements. However, European companies have a strong presence in the laminate industry and follow a set of standards administered by the EPLF (European Producers of Laminate Flooring). The standards are codified as abrasion class ratings (AC) and are sometimes referred to as wear ratings. Flooring with an AC1 rating is most suited to use in a bedroom or other room that sees light-duty, infrequent use. Flooring with an AC5 rating is a commercial grade.

To minimize the monolithic look of laminate flooring, manufacturers take various steps to distinguish individual planks from each other. One way to do this is to vary the wood grain pattern printed on the decorative layer. A greater number of standard patterns make it less likely that repeats will be noticeable once the floor is complete. Adding surface texture to either the printing or to the wear layer is another method of making laminate flooring appear more like real wood. One approach, called "in register," coordinates surface embossing with the pattern in the decorative layer, making it appear that variations in the wood are telegraphing to the finish. Also, different plank lengths help to randomize the look of the floor. Each measure taken to make the laminate look more like wood generally adds expense.

Laminate Flooring Installation Methods

Laminate flooring is installed as a floating floor. This means that the individual planks are secured to each other but are not connected to the subflooring. There are two basic ways to connect planks.

Glued edge--In this method, glue is applied to the T&G edge just before each plank is installed. In some cases, a moisture-activated glues is applied at the factory. During installation, this glue is moistened just before the planks are joined.

Interlocking edge--Many laminate floor planks may be installed without the use of adhesives. Instead, the edges of each plank are formed to provide a mechanical connection. Some types of interlocking floors can be readily disassembled and reinstalled elsewhere, while others are designed for permanent installation.

Laminate flooring should be installed over a thin layer of flexible underlayment. According to NALFMA, the choice of underlayment is most important in regard to its ability to reduce noise from foot traffic. The most common underlayment is a foam sheet approximately 1/4-inch thick. Cork underlayment is more effective at reducing sound transmission and comes in various thicknesses, but it is more expensive and may require a separate vapor barrier. Combination underlayments are also available, which combine a vapor barrier, a pad, and a sound barrier. Several laminate products have a sound-deadening underlayment attached to each plank.

When ordering flooring, it is critical to order matching trim pieces at the same time. This will help to ensure that the pieces are compatible in color with the flooring itself. Remember to order such things as reducer strips (used where flooring meets adjacent flooring of a different thickness), T-moldings, end moldings, and edge moldings.

Additional Information

North American Laminate Floor Association
www.nalfa.com

World Floor Covering Association
www.wfca.org

Flooring Installation Association of North America
www.fiana.org

American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA)
www.americanfloor.org

American Institute of Architects (AIA)
www.aia.org

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
www.astm.org

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
www.asid.org

American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE)
www.aspenational.com

American Subcontractors Association
www.asaonline.com

Associated Floor Covering Contractors
www.ntlfloortrends.com

Certified Floor Covering Installers Association (CFI)
www.cfiinstallers.com

Construction Industry Reasearch & Information Association (CIRIA)
www.ciria.org.uk

European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF)
www.eplf.com

Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF)
www.fcif.org

Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA)
www.fcica.com

Floor Installation Association of North America (FIANA)
www.fiana.org

Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
www.iicrc.org

International Designers Guild (IDG)
www.design-guild.com

National Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD)
www.nafcd.org

National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
www.nam.org

National Institute of Certified Floorcovering Inspectors (NICFI)
www.nicfi.org

North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA)
www.nalfa.com

World Floor Covering Association (WFCA)
www.wfca.org