Laminate Hardwood Floor

Laminate Wood Floors

Laminate is typically made of fiberboard, layered top and bottom with a laminate backing. The top is covered with a high-quality photo of wood or other flooring style, covered with a melamine laminate top, similar to a kitchen counter top.

The brand name Pergo is an example of a Laminate. Many people mistake Pergo as a type of wood floor. It is not! It is a picture of a wood floor made out of laminate materials.

The fact that it isn't real wood bothers some people. On the other hand, the fact that it is a lot less expensive yet looks like wood suits people just fine!

Here's the facts about laminate wood floors:

• Laminate flooring is fairly easy to install. Typically, the planks are either snapped together or glued together. It is very popular with the do-it-yourself consumer.
  

• Though laminate flooring is very durable, it is extremely difficult to repair when scratched, chipped, dented, or otherwise damaged. A hardwood floor however, can be buffed or sanded and made to look new again.
   

• A special padding is necessary under most laminate floors to reduce noise. Even then, laminate flooring can be hard underfoot, hollow-sounding, and overly slippery. Many people say it feels "fake" and is cold to walk on. Others don't notice or don't care! It's a personal preference.
   

• Laminate flooring does not fade or yellow from sunlight as hardwood flooring does.