How Laminate Flooring Is Made

If you’re a fan of Stone Wood Outlet on Facebook, you’ll know that we recently added a whole line of laminate flooring to our list of in-stock inventory. Laminate flooring is a great alternative to hardwood flooring for a number of reasons: price, ease of installation, durability, and resale value, just to name a few. But few people know what laminate flooring is actually made of. Even less know how it’s made. This post will take a look at the components of laminate flooring and how they’re put together. Enjoy!

Components
Laminate flooring is made of four components bonded together. They are:

• Wear layer – Designed for dimensional stability, stain resistance, and protection, most wear layers contain aluminum oxide, melamine resin, or another protective plastic.
• Decorative Layer – A printed, high-resolution photo-reproduction of a wood grain, stone, or tile pattern, this layer is what gives the flooring its look.
• Core Board – Usually made of high-density fiberboard or particle board, this layer helps improve moisture-resistance and dimensional stability.
• Backing – This layer, made of melamine plastic, adds even more dimensional stability to the boards. It also helps prevent moisture from coming up from the sub-floor.

Assembly
First, the four layers are assembled in large sheets. Each layer is stacked on top of each other and pressed together at temperatures reaching upwards of 400 degrees. The sheets are pressed with up to 600 pounds/square inch of pressure. The pressing usually lasts around 30 seconds.

Imprint
Some laminate flooring varieties have a textured surface, a feature achieved with specialized plates that imprint a texture pattern on the outer layer of the board. This process is usually either included in the general assembly process or takes place immediately after, when the sheets are still hot.

Edging
After the sheets are cooled they are cut into planks of various sizes. Multiple precision saws are then used to cut the tongue-and-groove edges on the side of the planks, enabling the flooring to lock together during installation.

Inspection
Last but not least, the cut planks are inspected for quality. They are checked for color, texture (if applicable), finish, size, and that they interlock correctly.

Visit the Stone Wood Outlet website to learn more about laminate flooring, including the many varieties we carry and why it may be the perfect flooring choice for you.

3 Important Considerations When Picking Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is a great way to add beauty and value to your bathroom, kitchen, living area, or hallway. When installed correctly, a tile floor will last the lifetime of your home. Make sure to reflect on these three important considerations before installing new tile flooring in your home. They will help you decide what type and style of tile to use.

Traffic
Not all tile is made equal. Some tile material is better suited for high-traffic areas. If you are planning on tiling a hallway, entrance-way, living room, or other high-traffic area, make sure you use Group V tile. Tile flooring is rated and characterized into groups; Group I - Group V. Group I tile is best suited for countertops, while Group V tile can endure heavy traffic and can be used almost anywhere.

Water
If you're tiling an area of your house that will see a lot of water (read: bathroom, kitchen, etc), you want to make sure you're using a tile that is rated as "impervious", "non-absorbent", and "non-porous". If you opt for a more porous tile in a bathroom or kitchen area you may be setting yourself up for some expensive repairs or replacement projects down the road.

Design
Not all tiles work best for artistic interior design projects. A creme porcelain tile might be just fine for a bathroom counter, but it might be a bit dull for an entranceway. Try livening up your tile flooring design with a textured or multicolor porcelian, or a patterned glass mosaic tile.

This glass mosaic tile would look stunning as a decorative entranceway or runner.

Product Spotlight: Tigerwood Decking

One of the most unique hardwood decking options available, Tigerwood features visually stunning black striping, soft brown-yellow tones, and a soft shine sure to add an exotic flair to any outdoor setting.

Tigerwood hardwood decking is a medium-density wood that is kiln-dried for maximum stability. It easily absorbs stains and oils, making it a very versatile decking choice for homeowners with a specific design scheme in mind. Since Tigerwood is naturally resistant to fungi, termites, and other nasty intruders, there is no reason for us to treat our wood with any harmful chemicals. This means you can use our Tigerwood decking anywhere - near a pool, along a boardwalk, as a balcony, etc.

Tigerwood decking is a very sought-after material, and the selection of Tigerwood at Stone Wood Outlet is some of the highest-quality you'll find in the Portland-Metro area. Visit one of our three locations to view a sample yourself, or go to the Tigerwood Hardwood Decking page on the Stone Wood Outlet website to learn more.

Like A Look? Take It For A Test Run!

We understand that not everyone has the time to visit one of our three warehouse/showroom locations. That's why we bring our entire inventory selection to you with our Color Palette Design Tool!

With a simple mouse click, you can explore all the different color, texture, and pattern combinations we have available at Stone Wood Outlet. Once you have a combination you love, simply write down the various paint, flooring, and tile names and bring it in to one of our three Portland-area locations. One of our trained professionals will be able to help you gather all the necessary supplies.

Visit www.stonewoodoutlet.com/color-design-tool.aspx to unleash your inner designer!

With our Color Palette Design Tool, you can easily turn your kitchen or living room from drab to fab!

Laminate Flooring: What's New At SWO

We've recently added a whole line of new laminate flooring products to our flooring collection at Stone Wood Outlet. Here's a little info about them:

Laminate flooring is a great choice for homeowners who want the look and feel of hardwood flooring without the expense or difficult installation process. With many different sizes and styles to choose from, laminate is one of the most versatile flooring options on the market today. Here are just a few reasons why laminate flooring may be the right flooring material for you:

Price and Installation: Laminate flooring is often much less expensive than solid hardwood flooring. It is also much easier to install, and can be installed over almost any existing floor.

Durability: Laminate flooring's solid finish makes it perfect for high-traffic areas of the home. Our laminate products also come with at least a 25 year residential warranty, so you can feel confident in your purchase.

Resale Value: Most home buyers look for hardwood floors over carpet. By installing laminate floors instead of carpet, you get the look of hardwood flooring at the fraction of the cost.