Laminate flooring in Dubai

A laminate plank is a sandwich. The core is high-density fibreboard, made from compressed wood fibres. On top sits a printed decor layer, usually a photograph of wood or stone, protected by a clear, hard wear layer of resin. A backing layer underneath keeps the plank flat. Planks click together at the edges and float on an underlay rather than being glued down. That construction explains both the appeal and the limits. The wear layer resists scratches well and the click system is quick to lay, often over existing tiles. But the fibreboard core swells if water gets into the joints or edges, and once swollen it does not recover. Laminate also cannot be sanded, so a deep scratch or a damaged plank is replaced rather than repaired.

• Bedrooms and studiesDry, air-conditioned rooms with light foot traffic are where laminate does best.
• Living rooms in apartmentsA quick way to replace dated tiles, provided the building's rules on floor noise are met with a suitable underlay.
• Rental refreshesOwners often choose it to update a unit between tenants.
• Not in wet areasBathrooms, laundries and the area by a kitchen sink are better in tile or a waterproof-core floor such as SPC.
• Care at garden doorsSand and wet feet from the pool are hard on laminate; a tiled threshold or mat helps.

• Floor area
• Grade and wear class of the laminate
• Underlay typeAcoustic underlays cost more than basic ones.
• Base preparationLevelling, or removing old flooring.
• Skirting, trims and door trimming