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Laminate Flooring:  What is It?

Laminate flooring is confusing because it looks like wood but doesn't behave like wood.  What is it anyway?

Laminate Flooring is a Photograph of Wood Over Fiberboard

Laminate flooring looks amazingly like real wood.  But it's not.  It's a surface layer consists of one or more thin sheets of paper impregnated with resins (usually melamine).  This surface layer is a photograph of wood grain, not real wood. 

Under the wood-grain photograph is a base of high-density fiberboard.  In other words, a wood-chip composite.

Laminate Flooring Snaps or Glues Together

Solid hardwood floors are nailed down to the sub-floor.  Laminate flooring, on the other hand, snaps or glues together.  Also, it is a floating floor.

Laminate Flooring Can Be Laid Over a Variety of Surfaces

It can be laid over most existing floors--ceramic tile, wood, or vinyl--except for carpet.  And of course it can be installed on sub-floor.

Laminate Flooring is Thicker Than Vinyl Tile, Thinner Than Solid Wood

Laminate flooring is generally 1/2" thick--compared to 3/4" for solid wood and mere millimeters for vinyl tile.