AREA COVERING ELEMENT

The invention relates to an area covering element (1) comprising at least one sheet-like carrier core (2)， at least one protective layer (4) and a decorative layer (3) arranged between the sheet-like carrier core (2) and the at least one protective layer (4). The sheet-like carrier core (2) consists in this case of a strong， load- bearing carrier material and has at least an upper side (5) and an underside (6) arranged opposite from the upper side (5) and also at least a first and second side face (7， 8)， arranged opposite from one another and respectively joining the upper side and underside (5， 6). The decorative layer (3) is formed by a printed film， which is firmly connected to the carrier core (2)， the printed film (3) at least partially covering at least the upper side (5) and the first and second side faces (7， 8) of the sheet-like carrier core (2) and the protective layer (4) covering the full surface area at least of the printed film connected to the carrier core (2).