Appearance of hardwood or natural stone for less cost.
Durable.
Easy maintenance.
No dye-lots to match when replacing a laminate plank or tile.
Constructed of wear layer, photo or screen of natural finish, core material and backing.
What are the benefits of upgrading your laminate?
More durable wear layer.
More color/pattern selections.
Better underlayment options for less hollow sound.
What are the differences in laminate?
Construction: Quality of each layer will dictate overall laminate quality.
Widths: Available in varying plank widths and tile sizes.
Design flexibility: Appearance can mimic hardwood, natural stone, slate, and ceramic tile with grout.
What are other facts about laminate you should know?
They are constructed of a wear layer, a photo or screen of the natural finish it is emulating, a core material and a backing.
While laminate floors have a reputation for being durable, they are not indestructible. You should still equip your furniture with floor protectors to avoid scratches.
The installation method for most laminate flooring products is called a "floating floor system." The plank is installed over a foam underlayment and the boards are interlocked using a tongue-and-groove joint.
The floating floor system may cause a hollow sound when walking on your floor. And where laminate boards join, they may peak or ridge. This is considered normal, not a defect.
Another consideration for laminates is the transition pieces, used to transition the floor from room to room. With laminates, the pieces sit on top of the flooring and may be larger than normal.
