What Is Laminate?… A Multi-layer Synthetic Flooring Product

The first laminate flooring was developed in Sweden in 1977, but did not appear on the market until 1980. The new type of flooring quickly spread to other European countries. During the initial years the laminate floorings were not of a particularly high quality, but thanks to continuous development clear progress was achieved from the end of the 1980s.

Today laminate is one of the most popular floorings in the world and what hasn’t changed since the 1980s is the composition of the laminate flooring. The rough build-up consists of three layers.

The bottom layer is an impregnated layer which increases dimensional stability and acts as a moisture barrier on the underside of the substrate. The thick, middle layer is the substrate. It is made from wood-based materials. The top, visible layer is the wear and decor layer which, depending on the production method used, can consist of several layers. It is made from special resin-impregnated cellulose (paper) and makes the floor durable and visually attractive.

Water Resistant and Waterproof Laminate