How Does Laminate Flooring Look and Feel Like Real Timber?

This is a sponsored guest post. This is a question that many Australian homeowners have pondered, although to be honest, many people think they are walking on a hardwood or stone floor that looks and feels right, and rightly assume it’s the real thing. How would they ever know any different? The truth can reveal itself in many ways, it might be a visit to a friend’s house and when you compliment him on the stunning new timber flooring, he smiles and tells you it is actually laminate! Once you know the flooring is laminate, your next thought would be “How do they do it?” And to answer that question, here is a detailed overview of how laminate flooring is made.

Multiple Layers The secret to laminate’s extraordinary strength lies in the way the multiple layers are pressed together under extreme pressure, which results in a flexible 6mm thick sheet that is extremely durable. The backing layer gives the laminate its water resistance and stability, then comes the core layer, which is the central layer that provides the flexibility and strength. Then comes the decorative layer, which is basically a very high-resolution image of stunning timber grain or marble stone printed onto a very thin membrane, and finally a layer of mesaline resin, which provides the protection.  The high-pressure machine process effectively bonds all four layers into a pliable and very flexible sheet, which is then cut to size. Click here for a more detailed description of laminate flooring, which looks at every aspect of this durable material.

The Secret’s in the Image The reason why laminate flooring looks so much like the real thing is because when you look at a laminate floor, you are actually looking at a very high-resolution image of prime timber grain or stone, which, in a way, is even better than the real thing, as the prime example of natural beauty will never need sanding or polishing and will retain that perfect look. Technology had enabled the manufacturer to embed a digital image into the sheet, and that is the reason why laminate flooring is so genuine looking. The wonderful swirls of Italian marble or the flowing grain of deep brown mahogany are captured with a digital image and incorporated into very strong and durable multi-layered sheet, which means you can have the most beautiful looking floor, and at a fraction of the cost of the real thing.

Extensive Range of Finishes Once you have the ability to embed a high-quality image into the laminate, the list of timber species and stone types is extensive, giving you carte blanche, aesthetically speaking, and with an online search, you can locate a local supplier and be browsing the many pages of laminate finishes, and it won’t be long before you see the perfect design. The next step would be to make an online enquiry and at your convenience, your local contractor would pay you a visit, which is really essential if they want to give an accurate quote, and with a huge catalogue of small sample squares, you can see first hand how the vinyl looks, and by placing tiles in various locations, you can get a clear picture of how things will look.

The Foundation From an interior designer’s perspective, the floor is the foundation for the overall room concept, and if you start with a stunning hardwood or stone finish, it is easy to build on that to create a stunning backdrop, Stone and timber go very well together, and the range of pale greys you find with stone contrast perfectly with the deep brown mahogany or teak staircase. Mixing things around brings depth and contrast to a room, and with laminate flooring being so affordable, your revamp budget isn’t going to break the bank.