Laminate is a multi-layer synthetic flooring product. It is designed to imitate the appearance of real wood. The core layer of laminate flooring is manufactured primarily from melamine resin and fiber board material. The top layer has an imprinted textured image made to look like real wood. Laminate has come a long way from the “plastic”-looking floors of the past, with their cheap, faux-wood designs and their second-class status.