Global Laminate Flooring

Report Overview

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This study analyzes the global market for laminate flooring by region and market (new and improvement and repair residential, and new and improvement and repair nonresidential). Data for laminate flooring is at the finished flooring level. This report also discusses and quantifies trends in the types of decorative laminates used to make flooring (low-pressure and high-pressure).

Laminate flooring consists of:

• top wear layers – typically made from melamine embedded with aluminum oxide crystals to provide wear and stain resistance
• a decorative print layer made of resin-impregnated kraft paper or similar material, on which are printed designs or patterns
• an inner core of high-density fiberboard or plastic that provides stability and resistance to damage caused by impacts and wear
• a backing layer – generally sheets of melamine-impregnated plastic – to provide enhanced moisture resistance and dimensional stability

These materials are bonded to each other to create flooring sturdy enough to withstand foot traffic and other forms of wear while resembling hardwood flooring.

Decorative laminates are materials that act as a decorative surface layer on laminate flooring. Decorative laminates include the following products:

• low-pressure laminates, based on the following materials:
  • low-basis weight papers
  • saturated papers
  • plastic films (vinyl, polyester, and polypropylene)
  • decorative foils
• high-pressure laminates (standard laminate sheets and compact laminates)

High-pressure laminate flooring is made by fusing multiple layers of kraft paper saturated with phenolic resins. These papers – which are processed at higher pressures than can be safely done with melamine-impregnated papers – form wear layers with enhanced aesthetics as well as superior impact, scratch, and moisture resistance.

Edgebanding is excluded from the scope of this report.

Historical data (2009, 2014, and 2019) and forecasts for 2024 and 2029 are presented for laminate flooring demand in square meters and current US dollars (including inflation). Data for decorative laminates used in flooring is also presented in square meters and current US dollars.

Several assumptions have been made during the production of this study in order to ease understanding of market trends or to facilitate comparisons:

• Some decorative laminates are produced and sold in roll form to manufacturers, who then bond the laminate to a rigid substrate as part of the manufacturing process.
• In the case of some decorative laminates, such as saturated papers, the laminates may be bonded to a substrate by the laminates producer and not by the customer due to the expense inherent in purchasing and operating the necessary machinery.

So as not to skew the results (since some laminates are sold already bonded to a substrate and are therefore more expensive), all data for laminates in this report are measured at the unbonded level, even if they are sold in a final bonded product. Pricing and other related data are also at this level.

Demand by Region

Global demand for laminate flooring is forecast to rise 2.6% per year to 1.4 billion square meters in 2024. Traditionally, the ability to mimic wood and stone flooring at a lower cost was one of the main competitive advantages driving sales of laminate flooring. However, technological advances improving the aesthetic qualities of ceramic tile and vinyl flooring have increasingly enabled these products to compete in this niche as well, restricting sales opportunities for laminate flooring.

Increases in laminate flooring demand will be supported by its ease of installation, boosting its use in residential replacement and remodeling applications. Furthermore, laminate flooring can provide a wood aesthetic that – while not as realistic as those provided by higher end ceramic and vinyl flooring – is more affordable than other products, an important consideration in lower income countries. Other factors supporting the installation of laminate flooring include:

• manufacturer efforts to offer more aesthetically pleasing products, such as those that resemble tropical hardwoods
• increasing use of products with more durable wear layers that have longer product lifespans
• producer efforts to offer laminate flooring types in longer and wider planks that are easier to install

The Asia/Pacific region will post the largest gains in both area and dollar terms, accounting for a little less than half of all sales growth worldwide, bolstered by strong market conditions in China and other developing parts of the region. Demand increases will also be solid in the Africa/Mideast region, as rising incomes will allow for more consumers to opt for lower-end hard surface flooring products such as laminates.

Demand by Market

The residential market accounts for a considerably larger share of laminate flooring demand, due both to the size of the residential flooring market and the popularity of laminates in lower-end single-family home applications. Laminate flooring is popular in countries where sizable population shares are using hard surface flooring products for the first time. 

New nonresidential construction will register the fastest laminate flooring demand gains through 2024 due to strong construction spending gains in China, India, and parts of the Asia/Pacific region. However, the residential improvement and repair market will account for 57% of all growth in area terms, reflecting its dominance of laminate flooring demand globally. Product sales are particularly high in this market because of the relative ease of installing laminate flooring and the cost advantage it has over ceramic and wood flooring.

Demand by Type

Global demand for decorative laminates used in flooring production is projected to increase 2.8% per year to 1.2 billion square meters in 2024. In value terms, product demand will climb 4.4% annually through 2024 to $6.1 billion.

High-pressure laminates will be the faster growing product type (although they will continue to account for a relatively small share of demand in the flooring market), bolstered by their superior decorative properties, long-term durability, and resistance to scratches and other types of damage caused by wear.

Low-pressure laminates will remain the dominate product type globally in 2024 because of their lower cost. Technological improvements that enhance impact-resistance and durability will also prevent high-pressure laminates from making stronger inroads in the flooring market.

Global demand for laminate flooring is forecast to rise 2.6% per year through 2024 to 1.4 billion square meters valued at $13.1 billion. Increases will be supported by laminate flooring’s ease of installation, boosting its use in residential replacement and remodeling applications. In addition, the product can provide a wood aesthetic more affordably than other products, an important consideration in lower income countries. Other factors that will contribute to market advances include:

• manufacturer efforts to offer more aesthetically pleasing products, such as those that resemble tropical hardwoods
• increasing use of products with more durable wear layers that have longer product lifespans
• producer efforts to offer laminate flooring types in longer and wider planks that are easier to install

Efforts to Improve Laminate Flooring Are Boosting Use of High-Pressure Laminates

Laminate flooring demand has experienced strong growth due to its performance properties relative to carpets and rugs and lower cost relative to some competing hard surface flooring products. Through 2024, laminate flooring manufacturers will continue to look for ways to improve their products in terms of aesthetics and durability in order to better compete with higher end nonresilient products. However, some customers not focused solely on price will continue to opt for these higher end alternatives to achieve the look or performance they want.

As part of efforts to improve the quality of laminate flooring, manufacturers are increasingly turning to use of high-pressure laminates rather than low pressure types. High pressure laminates offer a number of advantages, including superior decorative properties, long-term durability, few maintenance requirements, and resistance to scratches and other types of damage caused by wear. However, low-pressure laminates are expected to continue to remain most used in flooring, especially as technological improvements are made to enhance their impact resistance and durability.

China & Other Countries with Expanding Building Stocks Will Account for Most of Gains

The Asia/Pacific region will post the largest advances in both area and value terms, accounting for a little less than half of all laminate flooring sales growth worldwide. Strong market conditions in China and other developing parts of the region will boost growth. Demand increases will also be solid in the Africa/Mideast region.

New nonresidential construction will register the fastest laminate flooring demand growth through 2024, accelerating from the pace of the 2014-2019 period. However, the residential improvement and repair market will account for well over half of all gains in square meter terms, reflecting its dominance of laminate flooring demand globally. Product sales are particularly high in this market because of the relative ease of installing laminate flooring and the cost advantage it has over ceramic and wood flooring.