Laser-based profilometer for detailed surface and thickness mapping of samples of home construction materials. The system was designed to make x,y,z measurements accurate to 0.001" on each sample, and then to allow the samples to undergo temperature and humidity cyclying in an environmental chamber, and then to be replaced in any one of the 144 potential sample locations and still maintain the 0.001" measurement accuracy. With a simple change of sample holders, the system was easily configured for research on individual samples up to 13" wide x 74" long.