What is laminated wood and how is it different from solid wood

We said in the article about wood derivatives that I'm going to come back to laminated wood as it's a broader topic. In short, laminated wood is still a wood derivative that retains the look and beauty of solid wood but eliminates its shortcomings. Not all laminated wood is produced in the same way, and it differs depending on the area of use.

One of the areas where laminated wood is used is in obtaining parking. I also talked about him in the article about the 3 types of parquet and how they compare. Lam laminate flooring basically looks like solid wood, but with different characteristics. It's made of several layers of wood, glued one on top of the other in the same way as tackleThe top layer is thicker, giving the appearance of solid wood.

Not all laminate flooring is made of the same number of layers or the same types of wood. Hence the difference in quality or price. There are basically 2 types of laminate flooring:

• parquet flooring made from a solid wood middle over which 2 "blinds" are placed, 2 thicker veneers, also solid wood,
• parquet made from a thick veneer-like 'face' of solid wood laid over plywood made from an odd number of wood veneers laid perpendicular to each other.

The thickness of the face shield depends on the quality of the flooring. A thicker blind means a quality parquet floor at a higher price, while a thinner one will be lower priced and of poorer quality.

Getting laminate flooring is done with the aim of having the same look of solid wood flooring, but superior characteristics, such as:

• dimensional stability - the wood no longer swells or shrinks due to variations in humidity in the environment,
• increased moisture and heat resistance - no longer affected by a humid environment with excessive heat,
• lower price - the lower layers are of lower quality wood, resulting in a lower price for the flooring. This makes parquet flooring of special species more affordable

Thanks to these properties, the pole can also be installed in areas with higher humidity, such as the ground floor, bathroom or basement, or directly on the concrete floor, and there is no need to leave a space next to the wall for any dimensional changes.

Although there aren't many, there are still disadvantages. Because of the thinner surface layer, refinishing can be done 1 or 2 times, unlike solid hardwood, which can be refinished up to 10 times. And the price is not always lower than solid wood. There are types of laminate flooring made from exotic species which are even more expensive than solid wood.

There is another type of laminated wood that is used to obtaining window and door frames. Unlike parquet, laminate is made by laying layers of wood on top of each other along the grain, not perpendicular, which is why many people also use the term laminated wood. The resulting wood is more stable and has superior qualities to solid wood, making it ideal for windows double glazing and doors for exterior and other types of construction.

The steps in making laminated wood for window frames are as follows:

• sawing logs into planks
• drying
• cutting planks to size
• sort: removing knots and other defects
• joining elements lengthwise (in teeth)

• calibration
• layering

The most important step for the further qualities of the laminate is the elimination of knots and defects. This results in a healthier, more uniform wood with much better strength over time. Layering of these elements is done by gluing with special adhesives, type D4, which withstand repeated freeze-thaw cycles very well.

Using laminated wood for windows has a number of advantages that make it preferable to solid wood:

•  is safe, durable and hard-wearing
• it does not bend, crack or "work"
• allows air exchange - it "breathes"
• the most diverse shapes can be created: diamond, arc, circle, etc.

For staining this type of laminate, it is best to use even products so as not to emphasize the joint lines. Otherwise, finishing can be made in the same way as solid wood.

Laminated wood was born out of the desire to use wood in some of the more difficult areas, without taking on the risks of using it in those conditions. It retains everything we love about wood - the beauty, the natural design, the warmth - while gaining stability and strength. With it, we can enjoy the beauty of special species at a more affordable price, and the special shapes that designers imagine for windows are no longer a dream.