For households and offices which require a low maintenance flooring solution, laminate flooring has been known to be an effective choice for its attractiveness, durability, ease of installation, as well as for its reasonable price when compared to many other flooring options. However, despite the fact that laminate flooring is popular, there are a great many misconceptions and mysteries surrounding it in terms of how laminate flooring is made and how it differs from solid hardwood.

Laminate flooring is typically made up of three separate layers: a tough aluminum oxide wear layer with a photograph of wood, stone, or brick adhered to the underside of it; a core or "carrier" usually made of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) which is a processed wood product that is very moisture resistant; and a final layer of plastic laminate backing to seal the entire piece against moisture and potential pests.

Laminate flooring is a cost-effective and easy to care for alternative to genuine wood or stone surfaces. Being more tolerant to moisture, it can more readily be used in bathrooms or other areas where moisture may pose problems for other flooring materials - as long as the manufacturer's warranty includes moisture coverage. Because of its simple tongue and groove attachment pattern, it can be utilized in virtually any room of the house, provided that there is a concrete, plywood, or other firm floor surface below it.

Laminate floors do not stain, fade, dent, or warp like real hardwood floors, although they have a similar cost. They also often include lifetime warranties against most problems and defects. If your home has significant foot traffic (including children and/or pets) then a laminate floor will hold up much better than a comparable wood or even tile floor, and be considerably less expensive than stone flooring materials.

Another advantage of laminate flooring is that you're not just limited to fake wood patterns: you can also get stone, tiles, or bright colours or other interesting patterns - you simply have much more choice than you do with wood. The worldwide market for laminate flooring is growing much faster than that of wood, mainly for reasons of cost.

When you choose laminate flooring, it is important to get the right kind of flooring for your room. Living rooms need floors that can take quite a lot of weight, while bathroom floors need to be water-resistant (although even the most water-resistant laminates don't do well if they consistently get wet).

One other downside of laminate flooring is that it tends to make a tell-tale tap-tap sound when it's walked on, compared to quiet wood floors. You can get underlay that will go some way towards getting rid of this sound, but it's an extra expense and extra trouble to install.

If you have a lot of traffic in your home and plan to stay there for some time, laminate flooring may prove to be the best value for your money because of its long life, durability and excellent warranty coverage. It is not the least expensive flooring option, so it is always important to weigh the costs and features against your needs. If you want the look of hardwood but have a sub-floor that is incompatible with real hardwood floors, laminate flooring may be the choice for you!