• Laminate flooring can mimic stone, marble and ceramic tiles.square tiles image by Daria Miroshnikova from Fotolia.com
  
  Laminate flooring is a composite material made by laminating many layers of fiberboard and resin to create a strong, durable product. An installer may apply photographic representation of wood or stone to the top layer along with texturing techniques designed to mimic the look of natural flooring. Laminate flooring has grown in popularity over the years, and laminate ceramic flooring has both pros and cons.
  
  

Installation

• Laminate ceramic may still require grout.Boden image by Milosz Bartoszczuk from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the main selling points of laminate ceramic flooring is the ease of installation when compared to a traditional ceramic floor. Laminate flooring is designed with an interlocking tongue and groove edge that easily snaps together and remains secure. Installers can place it as a floating floor right over the existing floor as long as the surface is clean, dry and level. Unlike true ceramic or stone, laminate ceramic installation does not require the installer to spread a layer of cement. Installers can do all cutting and trimming with a handsaw, but laminate ceramic is made to be hard and durable, so cutting it without an accurate mechanical saw can be difficult for them.
  
  

Quality

• Ceramics have been in use for thousands of years.ceramic image by Bosko Martinovic from Fotolia.com
  
  Laminate ceramic floors are built to be durable and long lasting even in high traffic areas. Although newer laminate products offer superior strength over their predecessors, the quality may still be lacking for some homeowners. Walking over laminate ceramic can feel noticeably different in comparison to real ceramic. This is particularly true when the laminate is floated on top of an existing floor and may have a tendency to shift or give way beneath the feet. In addition, even laminate ceramic materials that are rated for a full 20 years cannot match the quality of natural ceramic that can last centuries.
  
  

Cost

• More expensive laminate ceramics look just like real ceramic tiles.Floor tiles - can be used as background image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
  
  Traditional ceramic or stone tiles look beautiful, but they can be an expensive choice when budget is a concern. Laminate ceramic flooring offers the user an affordable option whether the plan is to build or remodel. Laminate flooring starts out at less than $1 per square foot while real designer ceramic may be in excess of $10 per square foot. The least expensive laminates are typically lower quality, however. Some laminates that look and feel more authentic tend to be priced higher and may even come close to the price of traditional ceramic.
  
  

Construction

• Manufacturers do not recommend laminate ceramic for bathtub or shower installation.pieds image by Ellsing from Fotolia.com
  
  Ceramic tile is relatively nonporous and can stand up to entryway traffic, kitchen spills and bathroom moisture. As a result, it is one of the first choices for building materials in residential kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Built to withstand foot traffic, laminate ceramic may not stand up as well to moisture. Most laminates have a backing of medium density fiberboard that can absorb water. Depending on how well the laminate is sealed during manufacturing and installation, it may be susceptible to moisture damage.