A laminate floor is a composite floor with either a chipboard or HDF core, bonded to a film of wood-effect veneer and covered with a laminated surface. Although it may look like wood veneer flooring, it's not. Most laminate floors feature a photographic representation of wood grain and, unlike wood veneers, laminates cannot be sanded or refurbished once it starts to show wear.

In terms of aesthetic appeal, it's hard to beat laminates or wood-look overlay floors. They offer great value, plus they're warm underfoot, flexible and have their good looks last a long time. However, the wide range of laminate flooring available can be somewhat confusing