Laminate floors are several different layers of various materials that are pressed together to form each plank. A printed film gives the floor the look of a real wood or tile and is protected by a tough, durable wear layer that goes on top of the print layer. The resins used in the wear layer are very durable and provide unsurpassed wear and stain resistance.

The inner core is generally made from high density fiberboard which also forms the tongue and grooves for locking planks together. Some manufacturers treat the inner core with melamine resins or water-resistant sealers to help protect the inner core from moisture.

In HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE the planks are usually fused together in a two step process where several layers are first glued together and then these layers are combined with the remaining materials and then glued and fused into a plank. In DIRECT PRESSURE LAMINATE all materials are fused together in one step.