(pronounced dih-LAM-ih-nayt)

OK, let’s first think of this word in terms of what we know. If you are reading this entry, you probably already have an inkling what plastic laminate is. (Think Formica – the “Kleenex” of the plastic laminate industry.) When something is laminated, how is it made” It’s formed by merging two or more layers of material together, usually sandwiching something between layers of plastic and sealing them with heat and/or pressure. Ah ha! Then if something is DElaminating, then it’s layers must be separating, breaking down the bonds (a.k.a. debonding). Blistering, cracking, and peeling are examples of this.

And since many materials that designers use are created through a laminating process – carpet being one of them – delamination is anathema to a designer, not to mention the manufacturer and end user! However, a naturally occurring material like slate, as well as a poured material like concrete or an applied material like plaster or paint, is also subject to nasty delamination. The causes? Water damage, air bubbles, penetrating material trauma, poor bonding material, etc. The list is long.