Laminate flooring offers a wide selection of designs that offer the
look and feel of beautiful hardwood, ceramic tile, and slate. It is actually a composite that's designed to endure more-than-average wear and tear. A high-pressure manufacturing process fuses four layers into one extremely hard surface. The four layers are:

• back layer - the back is reinforced with melamine for structural stability and moisture resistance.
• fiberboard core - ultra dense core board provides impact resistance and stability. It also features an edge sealing treatment that provides even further structural stability.
• decorative layer - Providing the floor's beauty, the decorative layer is actually a highly detailed photograph that gives the laminate the appearance of wood or tile.
• wear layer - The melamine wear layer is a tough, clear finish reinforced with aluminum oxide, one of the hardest mineral compounds known to man, to resist staining, fading, surface moisture, and wear. Aluminum oxide is also applied to the back layer to seal out moisture.

The resulting floor is a technological breakthrough. There's no staining, no fading, and no wear through.