Despite popular misconception, there is actually very few similarities between hardwood and laminate floors. Whereas the durability of wood floors will vary with the different types of wood, laminate floors are not made from any particular species. Laminates are constructed using three principal layers:the decorative layer, the core and the backing layer. These are compressed together using a high-pressure process. The higher the pressure used, the more durable the laminate will be - and it will have a higher AC rating.

How its made:

• the decorative layer- this is the surface layer of the laminate floor, what gives it the beauty and elegance of an actual hardwood or tile floor. This layer is simply a high-definition photograph of a particular wood species or type of tile (one time we had green and blue laminate), which is sealed using a resin-based coating containing aluminium oxide. This is what gives the floor it's resistance to scratching, UV rays, burning ash and ambers, and chemical agents.
• the core layer- this is what gives the laminate its durability. The core is made of a highly compressed  High Density Fiberboard (HDF). This is what allows the floor to take the shock of localized impacts, such as high-heeled shoes and dropped objects.
• the backing layer-this is the layer that binds the laminate together, and gives it stability. The backing layer is made to float overtop of the foam underlayment, making the laminate a floating floor and further differing it form hardwood.

An excellent choice:

Just think what are your options and find out what would be the best choice for you and your family. Ask yourself the following questions:

•  Why not carpet? - I would like to live in healthy place...there are so many allergies, and dust is collecting in the carpet.
• Why not vinyl or linoleum?- well I want my house to be elegant...and with wood floor, the resale value of my house is higher.
• Why not hardwood?- yes, hardwood is fantastic, but unfortunately expensive and I will spend a fortune on installation.

Laminate flooring is a perfect choice -healthy for your family and environmentally friendly and MOST IMPORTANT you don't have to spend fortune to buy it. I have to also say that laminate is:

DURABLE AND EASYCARE: Laminate floors are extremely durable and very easy to take care of. Some new generations laminates, like CLASSEN brand  has MICROBAN with CLEANCARE technology built in it  - a unique combination of dirt and anti-bacterial protection .

SCRATCH FREE:You can walk on laminate without fear of scratching. While the floor is not scratch proof, neither high hills nor office chairs on wheels are a problem. It is recommended to put felt pads or plastic cups under chair legs or furniture felt. You should avoid getting sand  or stones on the floor at any time.This can done by placing a mat next to door or creating an area where people can wipe their shoes clean. Compared to wooden parquet or carpet, laminate flooring is very wear resistant with pets. No worn-through effect will occur.

FADE RESISTANCE: Laminate floor is UV resistant, will not fade even after years of exposure to direct  sunlight.This ensures that laminate floor you install today will look the same years down the road.

CHEMICAL RESISTANT: Laminate flooring are chemical and stain resistant to penetration by most household chemicals and organic solvents (acetone, red wine, coffee, tea, markers). You may be surprised, but even toughest  stain you can safely remove with acetone - with no damage to the floor!

BURN RESISTANT: Laminate flooring is burn resistant- so you can install it in front of your fireplace with no worries. Even small burning embers falling onto the floor will not leave any mark or discoloration.Also a burning cigarette that falls onto a laminate flooring and continues to burn for a few seconds does not leave slightest mark on the floor. The same ember or cigarette would have a negative impact on other flooring surfaces such as hardwood , carpet or vinyl.

Laminate flooring are well suited for installation over subfloor heating.

Quality of laminate flooring- read this!

A lot of people assume that because a certain laminate is thicker or has a longer warranty, that it is more durable and longer-lasting. This is not necessarily the case. That is why the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) have developed the Abrasion Rating System. Every laminate is rated based on a series of rigorous tests, including burn resistance, impact resistance and swelling under moist condition. Even if a product fails to comply with only one single rating, approval for the level of use  in questions is denied. And all manufacturers worldwide follow thouse rules. So be sure to ALWAYS ask about AC rating of your future floor.

• AC2 -21 Moderate Residental - Floors are suitable only for moderate residential use such as a bedroom or a closet.
• AC2-22 General Residential - Suitable for "normal residential" applications such as living rooms and dining rooms.
• AC3-23 Heavy Residential - Suitable for all residential application (lowest grade we carry)
• AC-31 Moderate Commercial- Suitable for residential applications plus light commercial such as hotel rooms or small offices (most our laminates)
• AC4-32 General Commercial - Suitable for all residential applications plus general commercial applications such as offices, boutiques and cafe's.
• AC-33 Heavy Commercial - Suitable for all residential applications plus heavy commercial applications such as public buildings, department stores etc.

Can I do it?

YES, YES, YES!

 By installing laminate yourself, you are saving approximately $2 to $4 per square foot.

Every manufacturer provides easy to follow instructions (available on manufacturers web site too), and most new generations laminates come with easylock glueless system - which means that you don't need any special tools to install it (eg.tapping blocks).

To install your floor you need :

1. laminate flooring
2. laminate flooring underlayment - regular if you have wood subfloor or underlayment with vapor barrier for cement subfloor ( to protect your laminate flooring from moisture from concrete)
3. transition moldings ( conect laminate to other floor eg. laminate to carpet or vinyl etc.)
4. wall base or quarter round ( if you have plans to install new ones- you can always take off your wood work before instalation and reinstal it when everything is done)
5. wood putty and tools like:saw, measuring tape, pencil and most important Good Attitude!   FRIEND will be very helpfull too!