Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a layered floor covering that gets its wood or stone look from a printed decor layer. The core is usually high-density fibreboard (HDF); on top sit the decor paper and a clear, hard wear layer that protects it, and underneath is a balancing backer. So it looks like wood, but there is no real wood on the surface.

Why it is so common

Laminate is affordable, resists scratches and stains, and is easy to look after. Thanks to click-lock edges it goes down quickly as a floating floor over an underlay, with no glue needed. Products are labelled with abrasion classes according to how much wear they can take, and different classes are chosen for homes and for busy commercial spaces.

Limits and installation

Water is its weak spot. Laminate left in contact with water can swell, especially at the joints, so it is not used in bathrooms and needs care in kitchens. The surface cannot be sanded and refinished; once worn, it is replaced. An expansion gap is left at the walls during installation and covered by the skirting board. The underlay also has a direct effect on impact sound.

In renders, laminate is usually represented with a wood texture map. For a believable result, plank lengths and patterns should not repeat, the joints need a slight bump, and the surface should have a gently varying sheen. For finding and applying textures, see SketchUp textures: finding and applying them right.