Product Review

Laminate Flooring: Worth a Second Look?

by Brent Ehrlich

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring typically contains four main layers: a clear melamine protective wear layer; a printed decorative layer (wood, stone, and tile are the most popular patterns); a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core; and a melamine layer that acts as a stabilizer and moisture barrier.

The layers are compressed at around 600 pounds per square inch (psi) at 400°F using a direct-pressure laminate process that bonds them together into a dimensionally stable flooring. One manufacturer, Alloc AC, offers a high-pressure laminate that is compressed at 1,200 psi to create a tough, commercial-grade flooring.

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Published September 3, 2013

Ehrlich, B. (2013, September 3). Laminate Flooring: Worth a Second Look?. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/product-review/laminate-flooring-worth-second-look

Volume 22, Issue 9

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