Laminate flooring is a synthetic floor covering that has been designed to look like wood flooring or sometimes stone flooring.  It has been a popular choice with DIY enthusiasts for decades.  Traditionally it offered a cheaper alternative to real wood.  

In the early days of laminate flooring, the quality was quite poor. Although the idea was that it should mimic hardwood flooring, it was very easy to tell them apart by look and feel.  In more recent years the quality of laminate flooring has significantly increased. In recent years there has also been more choice of designs and styles of laminate flooring.  Traditionally laminate was only available in a wood effect. Over more recent years, different designs and effects have been developed to provide you with a wider choice of options.  You will be able to choose from effects such as: stone tiles, ceramic tiles and a wide range of different species of wood and bamboo.

Someone may easily mistake good quality laminate flooring for a wooden floor.  However, laminate flooring does not contain any real wood at all.  Each plank is made up of various synthetic layers and topped with a photograph of wood (or stone). The surface layer can sometimes have a built in scratch guard for added protection.  The top surface of the floor is water resistant so can cope with the occasional spill or splash. Some types of laminate flooring are even waterproof.

Laminate flooring is a great alternative to a real wooden floor.  It is, however, important to acknowledge the differences between the two.