What Is Laminate Hardwoods

Hardwood is 100 percent solid wood.

What is laminate hardwoods.

Solid hardwood flooring as the name suggests is comprised of flooring boards that are solid hardwood material through and through. Laminate flooring is a hard flooring surface that resembles the look of authentic hardwood floors. When laminating wood the process typically refers to plastics or other materials laminated to plywood solid wood or composites. Should you choose laminate or hardwood.

Laminates may be any material but typically they are made veneers which are thin sheets of wood. Wood laminate terminology often refers to flooring but the process of laminating also includes veneer laminating and laminating solid wood together to make furniture. Laminate floors are made of several layers of durable materials. What is laminate wood flooring.

In some cases it is made to look like wood grain by using a method that is similar to printing. Solid hardwood and laminate flooring can look remarkably alike especially from a distance. Laminate has no solid wood. Engineered wood flooring has a similar construction as laminate except the top decorative layer is a thick veneer of real wood protected by a coating of a clear acrylic.

Solid hardwood is thick and can be sanded and re sanded many times. Laminate is made with synthetic materials or very thinly sliced pieces of wood. The bottom layer is called the stabilizing layer which is designed to resist moisture. This layer is then topped with synthetic fiberboards for strength.

The natural top layer makes engineered wood just as durable as traditional hardwood and provides the same classic timeless look. Laminate was the pioneer for realistic wood look flooring back in the 70s and other types of flooring have caught on and have begun releasing their own realistic wood looks. It s easy to install with click together joints and it s built to withstand everyday wear. Laminating is a process of gluing things together.

Laminate typically has a shiny finish and is known for being used in low end furniture and pieces that need very durable surfaces. Still laminate looks and feels like real hardwood and holds strong as a popular wood look floor thanks to its low maintenance cleaning routine and a durable scratch. The boards usually 3 4 inch thick are generally milled with a smooth top surface and tongue and groove edges that interlock to hold the boards together. Laminate is thin and can never be sanded.