Laminate flooring is a type of floating floor made of multiple layers sealed together through a lamination process.
With different décor layers, laminate floorings are versatile and mimic traditional floor types including wood, tile, stone, bamboo, and cork flooring.
Different types of laminate floors are classified based on:
- Material
- Installation method
- Textures, patterns, and finishes.
- Surface type
Laminate types by Material
Plastic
Plastic laminate flooring is entirely synthetic and made from various plastic materials.
It is highly durable, water-resistant, and resistant to scratches, stains, and fading. Plastic laminate can replicate the appearance of different materials, such as wood, stone, or tile.
Engineered wood Laminate
The engineered wood laminate typically consists of a thin veneer or top layer of hardwood. This is bonded to several layers of plywood or high-density fiberboard (HDF) underneath.
These layers are cross-layered and glued together. This cross-layering results in a stable and durable flooring product.
Laminate floor type by Installation methods
Glued
Glued laminate was the first type after the invention of laminate flooring. This type requires that you apply glue to the edges of the plank to make strong joints that holds the floor together.
This installation method ensures you have a strong floor, but it also takes up a lot of your time. The cost is also higher compared to the glueless laminate.
You should also note that you cannot walk on this floor immediately after installation. You have to give the glue enough time to settle and dry up.
Otherwise, if you start stepping on the joints before they are dried up, your laminate will develop squeaks later.
Pre-Glued Laminate
Pre-glued laminate is an improvement over the glued laminate. For this type of laminate, you do not need to apply the glue yourself.
Instead, these planks will have a layer of glue already applied during the manufacturing process. You just need to peel off the protective glue polythene covering and install the flooring.
Like the click-lock laminate, the pre-glued laminate is also ideal for DIY installation. It saves you time, costs and potential problems that may occur due to bad installation.
Glueless (Click-and-Lock Laminate)
The glueless laminate/ also known as click-and-lock does not require glue for installation. Instead, the laminate planks click and lock together in a tongue and groove mechanism.
The difference between the click-and-lock laminate and the traditional tongue and groove installation is that click-lock has an additional feature with a firm interlocking profile around the edges of the plank.
This profile aids in ensuring the planks click and lock in place easily.
For this reason, the click-and-lock laminate are easy to install, especially if you desire to DIY your own floor and save the cost of hiring installation professionals.
The key advantage of the click-lock laminate floor is that you can walk on it immediately after installation.
Popular brands that offer click-lock laminate planks include;
- Pergo laminate
- Mohawk Laminate
- Quick-step laminate
- Mannington laminate
- Shaw Laminate
Types of laminate by floor texture.
Smooth Laminate
The smooth textured laminate has a smooth and even surface lacking in any noticeable embossing or distress.
It creates a polished look in your rooms which resembles natural hardwood. The main advantage of the smooth laminate is:
- Easy to clean and maintain-No dirt or debris can be trapped since the smooth floor lacks crevices
- Versatility in interior design of rooms for better aesthetics
- Durability- the smooth layer has a protective layer which provides protection against stains, fading and scratches.
Hand scraped laminate floors
Hand scraped laminate replicate the appearance of a hardwood flooring that has been manually scraped by human hand.
This laminate type mimics the natural rustic appearance of aged or distressed wood and provides a cheap alternative for hardwood flooring.
You can install this flooring as a floating floor over many types of subfloors, including concrete, plywood, or existing flooring
Distressed/ Embossed laminate
Embossed/distressed laminate has a wood grain texture that imitates the appearance of weathered or distressed wood.
A process known as embossing is used to make this type of flooring. This process involves imprinting patterns onto the surface of the laminate planks.
The distressed appearance gives this flooring a rustic/vintage look by replicating grain patterns, knots and natural irregularities that you find on real aged wood.
An advantage of this appearance is that it hides wear and tear, minor scratches, dents or fading of the floor.
For this reason, you can use it as a flooring choice for high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
Type by Ability to withstand water:
Water-resistant laminate
The water-resistant laminate floors are designed to repel water and wetness, but only to some extent. This floor is not completely immune to damage from water or moisture.
This floor type has a moisture-resistant core and a protective layer which resists water penetration to some degree.
While water-resistant laminate can handle occasional spills and light moisture, a prolonged exposure to high water levels causes damage and peeling.
It is therefore, not suitable for use in high-water or flood-prone areas such as the outdoors.
You need to clean water spills to prevent moisture from seeping into the seams or gaps between the laminate planks.
Besides , you also need to conduct proper moisture test on the subfloor before installation.
Waterproof laminate
Waterproof laminate is of higher and better quality regarding withstand water damage, as compared to the water-resistant laminate floor.
This type of laminate resists is highly resistant to moisture, spills and water.
The waterproof laminate is mainly made of a waterproof core layer made of either plastic or rigid composite, which do not absorb water.
The seams between the planks are also designed to be tight and secure which prevents water from seeping through.
Waterproof laminate floors are suitable for high-moisture areas including basements, bathrooms and kitchens.
Type of laminate flooring patterns
There are numerous laminate flooring patterns which include:
Wide Plank pattern
Wide plank patterns feature laminate planks that are wider than standard-sized planks, typically 5 inches or more.
This pattern provides a more expansive and open feel, giving the impression of spaciousness in your room.
Chevron
Chevron patterns are similar to herringbone but have a more pronounced “V” shape with planks cut at precise angles and fitted together to form a continuous chevron pattern.
Herringbone
Herringbone patterns are characterized by a zigzag or “V” shape created by rectangular planks arranged at an angle.
Laminate flooring with a herringbone pattern can add a touch of sophistication and visual interest to any space.
