What You Need to Know About Phoenix Laminate Flooring

Laminate is one of the most durable and affordable materials for flooring. It has become quite an attractive option in Phoenix because of easy installation, simple maintenance, durability and increased lifetime. Phoenix laminate flooring is available in many different designs that resemble other flooring options such as ceramic, slate and hardwood.

Laminate is a synthetic material that is manufactured using fiberboard and resin. Several layers of these materials are fused together with pressure, heat and adhesive. The process is termed as lamination and even though the resultant material does resemble wood, the raw materials do not include it.

Structure

As already mentioned, Phoenix laminate flooring comprises of several different layers, which are as follows.

Top Wear Layer

The uppermost layer of laminate flooring is referred to as the wear layer. It is an invisible coating that covers the layers beneath, protecting them from scratches, stains and other potential damage. Laminate sheets are treated with aluminum oxide, after which the wear layer forms on the surface due to chemical reactions.

Decorative or Photographic Layer

As the name indicates, this is the layer that defines the appearance of Phoenix laminate flooring. Resin and fiberboards are embedded with paper and other similar materials. The designs are printed on these, making the laminate resemble other popular flooring options. Simply any pattern can be formed, but most laminate floorings are given the appearance of cork, natural stone, bamboo, ceramic and hardwood.

Fiberboard Core

Fiberboard is the central layer, providing stability, depth and structure to the upper layers. Made of sawdust or wooden chips, the fiberboard core is flattened into sheets and then given a resin coating.

Back Layer

The back layer is a feature not every Phoenix laminate flooring has, even thought it makes the material completely waterproof. The back layer lies below the core material and together with the uppermost wear layer completely sandwiches the core, making it resistant to water. The back layer also increases the stability of laminate and makes installation easier.

Underlayment

Laminate flooring can be installed on any surface, except for carpet, as long as it is done over an underlayment. Made of foam or cork, this layer reduces the hollow sounds that are produced when walking on laminate floorings.

Types

Phoenix laminate flooring can be divided into main types.

Direct Pressure

A direct pressure laminate flooring is one in which the uppermost layer and the core layer are bounded together such that the decorative layer lies in between. Pressure lying in the range between 300 psi and 500 psi is used for achieving this.

High Pressure

A high pressure laminate flooring is one which is formed at pressure of around 1400 psi; heat is also involved in the process. All the layers are fused together, and an additional water resistant layer is added to the bottom to increase the durability and toughness of the resultant flooring. The high pressure technique is employed when an increased number of materials have to be fused together to form the laminate flooring.

Costs

The average costs of Phoenix laminate flooring lies in the range between $2 and $10 per sq feet.