Have you ever taken family photographs and photoshopped them to add funny faces or various random backdrops? It's so commonplace nowadays that most of us have. But just in case you're unfamiliar with the term "photoshopping", is a slang term used to describe the manipulation of digital images with computer software. You could photoshop a picture of your best friend for instance, swapping out his face and replacing it with someone else's.
When it comes to DIY projects, wouldn’t it be cool if you could photoshop your laminate flooring? In theory, you can.
Laminate flooring is made up of four layers of material, the second layer being a digital photo image of wood, ceramic, or whatever other material to manufacture is attempting to mimic. That digital image is captured on a commercial grade camera or scanner and then printed in large sheets which are glued to the third layer underneath. Covering the photo is a transparent layer which protects the laminate flooring from scratches, nicks, and other abrasions.
I'm not sure whether or not there are laminate manufactures willing to allow customers to supply their own digital images, but the technology certainly exists to do it. In theory you could produce a laminate floor with a digital image of anything you wanted. Imagine looking down and seeing your family portrait plastered all over the dining room floor! Perhaps your favourite sports team, a cityscape, or even a picturesque scene of the Thames River. The possibilities are endless.
It's probably a good idea that laminates only come in wood, stone, and ceramic patterns. Otherwise, a lot of us would end up with floors we originally thought were great idea but then came to regret later on. But the fact is, just the thought of Photoshopping your laminate flooring is a fun idea. Most of us would never do it, but it makes a good joke.
On a more serious note, laminate flooring is economical option for replacing old floors or installing new ones. Although it's not necessarily as beautiful as natural wood or stone, it is significantly less expensive. And in the tough economic times we find ourselves in, laminate flooring is becoming the material of choice for many European home owners. The nice thing is the look of laminates is improving as the technology advances. You can still tell the difference close up, but at a distance, some laminates look remarkably realistic.
Next time you go to the DIY store, have some fun with the salesperson and ask about the option of photoshopping your laminate flooring. You might get an interesting reaction, especially if you can convince him that it's actually possible.