Does the term laminate flooring include engineered wood products? What about real wood planks? If not then what are the differences between these three products?

Although all three are flooring materials, real wood flooring materials are made out of wood only, cut from trees, these are available factory finished or raw.

Engineered wood flooring material, this is often mistaken for laminate flooring material, but it is not, and the technical process that both materials undergo explains why.
The first layer and core of engineered wood flooring is commonly made of maple, oak or cherry. But the overall product is fortified with the use of technology coupled with better urethane adhesives.

Engineered wood products have become more popular than solid wood planks because they cost less, and they provide the same look, and can easily be re- sanded and re- finished unlike some solid wood planks. As for the installation of engineered wood flooring it is like laminate flooring as it can be stapled, free floated or glued down, which is not the case for real wood flooring.

What is laminate flooring materials composed of. Most quality laminate planks have three layers, with high density fiber board at the core. The first layer is usually clear and made of melamine plastic material that is fused to the core with the use of heat. Todays laminate flooring material can easily handle spillage, stains, chips, dents and scratches.

The second layer is called the design layer. It contains the image of ceramic tiles, stone or wood imprinted on high quality photographic paper. Some manufactures use a fine surface of wood for this layer.

For the better quality laminate flooring materials, expect to find a third layer, which gives the laminate added sturdiness and strength. The thickness of a laminate floor is not an indication of its quality, more attention should be given to the materials used and the process it under went and the pressure applied.
As to the third layer, melamine is more stable than paper, and has the ability to bring the boards back to their original position. During production all three layers are fused together with the use of intense heat, making them stronger and dense.

Laminate floors can easily absorb noise, this is because a padding material is generally placed under the laminate material. Wooden or wood floors do not have this option.
When real wood or engineered wood floors lose there luster, for maintenance they can be polished back to their natural state. Where laminate floors are concerned, you can purchase touch up and chip repair kits. You can also replace the damaged plank, hows that for maintenance.

Change of weather and heavy traffic do not change the quality of the design of laminate flooring. This makes it ideal for heavy traffic areas such as kitchens, dinning and living rooms.

On the other hand great care has to be taken in deciding where to place wood floors, the sun, rain, spillage and excessive traffic can effect the look of real and engineered wood flooring, causing discolouration over time. And while it is true that you can polish and wax wooden floors, you do not have to do a thing with your laminate flooring.
Inevitably, the choice of purchasing engineered wood flooring. Real wood flooring or laminate flooring , lies with you.

Engineered wood flooring has its own special merits. But laminate flooring materials have come a long way from being inferior substitutes. Todays laminate flooring materials have benefitted immensely from superior technology and state of the art processes. The consumer has a wider range of realistic designs, from stone, wood and ceramic to choose from. Laminate floors are durable, easier to maintain, install and repair, compared to the other two products.

When you plan for your floor, consider the quantity of traffic, the desing you want and also your finances.

With laminate flooring you will have the pleasure of aesthetically pleasing floors that also fulfil all you needs. We at flooring mania hope this information was helpful to you .