New Laminate flooring is a mostly synthetic flooring variety that is made up of several layers fused together using a laminate process.
There are two main types of laminate flooring; High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and Direct Pressure Laminate (DPL)
HPL laminate is a five layer laminate created when the top and bottom layers are treated separately, and then fused together to make a strong core. This core provides extra durability and stability. DPL is comprised of four layers and is not quite as strong, but still perfectly suitable for most residential applications.
Regardless of the type, the bottom layer acts as the backing, allowing it to resist moisture and prevent warping. The next layers make up the inner core that is composed of high or medium density fiberboard. The layer on top of that is known as the image layer, which created to look like natural materials using high-definition technology and printing.
The final layer on top is the wear layer, a transparent aluminum oxide material that protects the image layer from scratches, burns, impact, and other wear over time.