Things to Know About Laminate Flooring in Melissa, TX
Laminate flooring is probably your best choice due its budget-friendly convenience, resilience, and durability. First invented almost 40 years ago, it has become quite popular in homes because it is easy to install and maintain, and has long life expectancy. You also have a wide variety of choices when it comes to design, as it wonderfully mimics hardwood boards, ceramic tiles, slate tiles, and more.
How is Laminate Flooring Manufactured?
Laminate is a synthetic material created by combining layer upon layer of various materials through lamination, which basically involves heating, adding pressure, and sticking together with adhesive. Although most laminate floorings may intentionally resemble hardwood, no whole wood material is present in its composition. Instead, they are composed of resins and fiberboard element, which may or may not include powdered wood.
The Different Layers of Laminate Flooring
Any Laminate Flooring in Melissa, TX basically has the following structure.
The topmost transparent surface is called the wear layer, which serves to protect and keep laminate flooring damage- and scratch-free. Manufacturers find this feature highly necessary since laminate cannot be refinished, unlike real hardwood.
The decorative or photograph layer is found right underneath the invisible wear layer. Most often, designs vary from cork, natural stone, hardwood, bamboo, brick, or ceramic. The effect is achieved by printing images or patterns on paper-like material and embedding them in resin.
The fiberboard core basically determines the quality of laminate flooring. It provides the thickness, strength, and stability of the laminate as a whole. It is composed of either finely ground saw dust or wood chips, which subsequently undergo resin-coating before being pressed and flattened into sheets.
The back layer plays a critical role in protecting laminate flooring from inevitable moisture. Specifically, it is meant to protect the fiberboard core from spills or moisture, as well as to provide extra strength during the installation process.
The underlayment is another layer installed separately from the laminate flooring itself. It may be foam or cork roll fitted over the subfloor before installing the laminate itself. It fairly reduces the typical hollow sound made when stepping on laminate flooring material.
A Brief Look into the History of Laminate Flooring
A man-made material, laminate used to be limited to being counter and backsplash surfaces way back in the 1920s. It did not possess the much-needed strength required for flooring. In due time, however, its manufacturers discovered ways to innovate and refine it for increased durability.
1977 saw the invention of the prototype laminate flooring. The pioneer was a Swedish company called Perstorp. Seven years later, they marketed it in Europe, naming it Pergo. It was during the mid-nineties when it reached the United States. Today, availability is not a problem as Laminate Flooring in Melissa, TX and other parts of the country is quite popular.
Interestingly, the simultaneous invention of laminate flooring with adhesive-free and interlocking features was something of a rare coincidence. In 1996 and 1997, two different companies, one in Sweden (Välinge) and the other in Belgium (Unilin), were the legally conflicting inventors. Today you can find this highly innovative type of Laminate Flooring in Melissa, TX.
