Laminate flooring is one of the main types of wood flooring. It is made from trees planted for industrial purposes (pine and eucalyptus), which are renewable and recyclable sources of raw material.
This type of flooring is developed with advanced technology, and is used in households, stores, and corporate environments.
The main differentials of laminate flooring which are recognized by consumers are quality, convenience, durability, and quick, easy installation, not to mention comfort, beauty, and anti-bacterial protection.
Laminate flooring first was produced in Sweden in 1980, and was imported to Brazil in 1994. It was immediately accepted in the Brazilian market, and domestic production of this product began in 1999.
Attributes
High-resistance laminate flooring offers numerous advantages. The product can be installed quickly over virtually any material including concrete, vinyl, ceramic, other types of wood flooring (top surface), except for carpets or another layer of floating wood flooring.
Laminate floors are also called floating wood flooring, since they are not glued, screwed, or nailed to the subfloor, nor fastened to the baseboard. This makes them quick to install and easy to repair if needed.
Another advantage of this product for consumers is easy maintenance: it only requires a daily mop with a clean, moist cloth (not soaking wet). Unlike other flooring, it should not be waxed or polished.
Laminate flooring does not hold dust or dirt, and is helpful for people with allergies; it also provides a layer of thermal and acoustic insulation.
It resists wear, stains, and impact, also guaranteeing high performance.
Interacting with Nature
Laminate flooring is made from trees planted for industrial purposes. This planting process respects global environmental protection standards, such as ISO 14000 certification.
Additionally, planted trees are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the National Forest Certification Program (CERFLOR), and endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Systems (PEFC).
This means that the trees are cultivated according to sustainable forestry management principles that seek to reduce environmental impacts and promote economic and social development of the communities surrounding the plantations and mills.
It should also be noted that the waste from the production process is used, transforming wood into energy to power the manufacturing process in the factories.
Composition of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is available in planks, which are composed of wood fibers or particles. These planks are made with wood grain patterns on their surfaces, and are very resistant to abrasion, which guarantees durability.
The planks are made in a variety of finishes and sizes, which gives consumers many options for decoration.
The main layers of laminate flooring are:
Surface Layer
- Overlay or wear layer – This layer of crystalline pulp film is impregnated with melamine resin and aluminum oxide particles, which makes it highly resistant to scratches and abrasion. It has notably low porosity, which makes it impermeable to liquids and makes it easy to clean as well as durable.
- Pattern or design layer – This decorative layer of pulp is impregnated with melamine resin, in a variety of patterns and colors to produce an attractive finish.
Core
- HDF / HPP – This layer is comprised of high density particleboard or fiberboard made from planted pine and eucalyptus trees according to international standards. This layer is machined on the side and top to create a tongue-and-groove locking system. The core is strong and stable, provide a precise connection between the planks, and resistance to impact and concentrated loads from heavy furniture.
Stabilizing Film
- Backing – This section is made from layers of pulp impregnated with melamine resin, which provides structural stability for the floor.
Below is the certificate of quality recognition from the Brazilian Ministry of Cities (PBQP-H Program) for each member company:
