All About Laminates: Cost, Types, Finishes, Maintenance and Tips to Choose (2023)

FAQs

What are the different finishes on laminate? ›

What Are the Types of Laminate Finishes? Although available in an array of finishes, the most common types of laminate finishes are matte, smooth, medium to high gloss laminate finishes. Implementation of furniture and wall panel ideas often use textured laminates, which replicate the tactile feel of natural materials.

These laminates have a moderate reflective surface, and good resistance to scratches and dust, which makes matte finish laminates easy to clean and maintain. The cost of 1-millimetre-thick matte-finish laminates starts at ₹1200 per sheet.

Both glossy and matte laminates are best for the kitchen. But both have their properties and features. While matte finish laminates do not fade away due to exposure to sunshine or chemicals, dark colour matte laminates are long-lasting and durable. Matte does not easily catch dust or any scratches or fingerprints.

There are, in fact, three main types of lamination used in printing: matte, gloss, and “soft touch” lamination.

PROS – Since laminate is made from pressed wood, it is more durable and resists scratches, moisture and wear and tear. Laminate flooring is also easier to clean. CONS – Even though laminate is more durable, it is not as visually appealing. Lower qualities of laminate may have artificial-looking wood grain textures.

Laminate flooring lasts between 15 to 25 years on average. The exact lifespan will vary depending on the product quality of your floor, how well you maintain and care for it and the overall wear-and-tear it receives. In some cases, laminate floors can last over 25 years. In many cases, it won't last ten.

There are two types of laminate flooring: plastic (or artificial) and engineered wood. Both are made of layers of materials laminated together to form one plank.

What is lamination finish? ›

Lamination is a finishing process in printing where pressure and heat are used to bind a thin layer of plastic known as a laminate to paper or card. Lamination printing is generally used to protect the paper from general wear and tear and improve the longevity of the item.

As acrylic finishes are aesthetically more appealing and are easy to clean, they come with higher price tags. While laminate finishes are quite durable and ideal for people on a budget.

Matter of Matte: Matte Finish Laminate

Matte-finish surfaces usually have dull and roughened appearance, as of metals, paint, paper or glass. Additionally, matte-finished interiors are trending now and more people are opting for it.

Laminates are generally made of paper that is treated with chemical resins to enhance its strength and stiffness. The main materials used when manufacturing all types of laminates, including kitchen laminates, are: Brown paper (also known as Kraft paper) Phenolic resins (made from phenol)

Regular laminate, which is glued to the surface of wood or plywood, has approximately a thickness ranging between 1.5 mm to 8 mm.

Quality laminates generally have smaller micro bevels, where the foil of the laminate is actually pressed all the way into the grove. This makes them more resistant to water, lots easier to keep clean and less likely to damage. Laminates with no bevel, or painted bevels are more susceptible to water entry.

While gloss lamination catches the eye with high-contrast hues and a lustrous finish, matte lamination offers an understated look and feel to your packaging. It isn't just a case of matte vs gloss for lamination. They both have their strengths and play important roles when it comes to making an impact.

Laminates are available in many grades or types and typically refer to the thickness of the material. For example: Formica, Wilsonart & Feeney Laminates are stocked in General Purpose & Vertical Grades.

Laminate flooring is actually constructed of 4 layers; wear, design, core, and the back layer. Each layer serves a distinct purpose and are fused together using high heat and intense pressure. Below is a break down of these layers.

A 3–ply laminate is a 3–layer laminate, where the middle layer can be AL, or VMPET. 3–ply laminates has better protection properties against oxygen and light than 2–ply laminates. In most cases, Coffee Bags have 3–ply structure.

What are the steps of lamination? ›

Regardless of if you select a hardwood finish or some other finish, you want to select a light laminate flooring. White, off-white, and light gray are the most popular colors now.

While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.

High-end laminate flooring provides thicker wear layers and a better quality image. This results in a more durable plank with a more realistic finish. In contrast, wooden floors can absorb stains, but the wear layer on laminate makes stains easier to clean.

Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture. Therefore, it's not suitable as a hard flooring for bathrooms and should be used with caution in kitchens or laundries. Light surface water for cleaning shouldn't cause issues, but saturation must be avoided.

Whether laminate will increase or decrease a home's value will also depend on what flooring was there before. If the laminate replaces old, worn carpet or sheet vinyl, you could see a value boost.

Laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain Laminate's superior stain and moisture-resistant surface coating makes spills and other messes easy to handle. This special surface doesn't require waxes or varnishes to keep it looking great.

Laminate Countertops Are Very Easy to Damage

As mentioned earlier, laminate countertops sheets are made from plastic and particleboard or kraft paper. These are not durable materials. One consequence of this is that laminate countertops crack remarkably easily, especially around the edges.

What you can do instead. Installing one laminate flooring over another can cause problems that are more costly to fix over time. For this reason, we always recommend removing the existing laminate before installing new.

Humidity levels in your home are often affected by seasonal changes, and laminate Flooring responds by expanding and contracting. During warm, humid weather, Laminate might expand to give the floor a crowned look. During dry, cold weather, laminate might shrink causing cracks to appear between each plank.

What are the different types of laminate thickness? ›

The laminates are available in thickness 0.8 mm, 1.0 mm and 1.5 mm in standard sizes 1.2 m x 2.5 m.

Generally, the thicker the board, the greater the advantages. Thicker laminate flooring feels closer to a solid wood floor underfoot. It is easier to install and this makes it ideal for DIY projects.

There are four standard laminate-flooring plank thicknesses on the market. As you might expect, the thinner the plank the less expensive the laminate floor. Our planks come in the three thickest measurements: 8 millimeter (8 mm), 10 millimeter (10 mm) and 12 millimeter (12 mm).

High gloss laminate sheets are among the few surfacing solutions that offer a unique blend of aesthetics and performance. Known for their shiny finish, high gloss laminates impart a sense of brightness and energy to the kitchen. They can be used across multiple surfaces, be it for the countertop or cabinets.

Polyurethane is designed to stand the test of time and is much more resistant against scratches, chips and water damage when compared to Laminate, making this finish perfect for busy families where accidents are prone to occur.

What are PVC Laminates? PVC laminates are multi-layered laminate sheets based on Poly Vinyl Chloride, made by compressing paper and plastic resins under high pressure and temperature. They are used as a decorative layer on top of raw surfaces such as plywood.

Made of pressed wood, MD, or plywood topped by a layer of paper coloured with a heat-fused melamine resin, melamine is the least expensive cabinet material.

Poly-vinyl chloride sheets are composite plastic sheets which give a tough finish. Therefore, they can be installed without a substrate. This kitchen cabinet material is inexpensive and easy to install. Being waterproof and oil-proof, it makes a wise option for kitchen cabinetry.

Semi-gloss or satin: Semi-gloss is the best finish for painting kitchen cabinets. Because it has some sheen, semi-gloss paint will help reflect light and be more durable in the long run, which is essential in a kitchen environment.

A glossy finish will come with an ultra-smooth, shiny appearance. It's also very colour rich and vibrant. Whereas matte paper gives off a duller, more subtle finish. Therefore, the content and images on a glossy finish will strike the audience more effectively.

What is a mirage finish on laminate? ›

#35 Mirage – Ultra Premium

Subtle variations in matte and gloss finish connect to nature's own finishes: rough and weathered, smooth and polished. This finish is exclusive to Wilsonart® HD® High Definition® Laminate and is not available in other designs or product types.

It depends on the surface you are painting. For interior walls in high-traffic spaces like a mudroom, satin or eggshell finishes work best. Flat or matte finishes work best for most ceilings and semi-gloss is recommended for interior trim and doors.

The main difference is that veneers comprise thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base while laminates are manufactured by pressing together layers of flat paper and plastic resins under high pressure.

A: 5mil is thicker than 3mil. 5mil is good for documents & paper laminating. 3mil is good for thicker paper like thin cardboard. That is the answer.

Lamination film is measured in mil thicknesses. One mil is equal to . 001" or 1/1000ths of an inch (a mil is not the same as a millimeter). Hence, a lamination film measuring 1.5mil would be . 0015" thick.

What is the difference between a low-cost laminate and an expensive one? The key difference between high- and low-end laminates is generally the finish of the material. Higher-end products offer greater variety in luster or sheen and texture. They also come in a broader range of colors.

Laminate floors have different finishes, and a matte, satin or gloss look is always going to scratch more easily than an embossed(textured) finish.

A glossy finish will come with an ultra-smooth, shiny appearance. It's also very colour rich and vibrant. Whereas matte paper gives off a duller, more subtle finish. Therefore, the content and images on a glossy finish will strike the audience more effectively.

Laminate ranges from 6-mm to 12-mm and, as a rule, it shouldn't be less than 8-mm. If, however, budget is an issue and if your subfloor is level and debris-free, you might be able to get away with 7-mm; keep in mind that subfloor imperfections can telegraph to the surface floor, so make sure it's okay.

Is thicker or thinner laminate better? ›

Generally, the thicker the board, the greater the advantages. Thicker laminate flooring feels closer to a solid wood floor underfoot. It is easier to install and this makes it ideal for DIY projects.

Wear layer: The top wear layer of laminate is typically made of aluminum oxide while the pattern of the flooring is a photograph applied to a melamine laminate base. The aluminum oxide wear layer provides incredible strength against most scratches.

Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product. It is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. The core layer of laminate flooring is manufactured primarily from melamine resin and fiber board material. The top layer has an imprinted textured image made to look like real wood.

As a rule of thumb, darker-toned flooring will tend to make the overall surface area seem smaller while lighter flooring may give the impression of a larger area.