LAMINATE FLOORING offers quality, value, and selection!

Many people don't think about laminate as a flooring option. They remember when laminate was a product for countertops, but not floors. Well, laminate material has changed a lot in the last 25 years.

The laminate originally developed in Sweden in the early '80s was suitable for countertops, wall coverings, or table tops, but was not durable enough for use on floors.  Research led to a reinforced material that was 10 times more durable than the countertop material. That was sold as the first laminate flooring material. Subsequent development has given us material that is at least 20 times as strong as countertop material.

At one time, all laminate flooring was installed with a tongue-and-groove gluing method that created a "floating" floor. While that method is still used occasionally, most of today's products have a mechanical locking system that eliminates the need for glue. An underlayment is required in order to improve insulation and acoustics, and to address issues with the subfloor.

Initially, most laminate flooring reproduced various species of wood. But today, tile, stone, and marble looks are available, giving you a wide choice that will add style to whatever room you put it in. And because of the high quality of today's manufacturers, there's no need to worry about getting all the laminate from the same "dye lot." The laminate product available today will exactly match the material available next year if you decide to add to your installation.  Plus, it's suitable for installation in any interior area, above, on or below grade.

The advantages of laminate are many, starting with durability. No matter what room it's installed in, it's nearly impossible to stain it. Sunlight does not fade it, nor does it show wear-and-tear from traffic. Laminate is much more resistant to indentation from heavy objects that vinyl or natural wood. It resists the shrinking and swelling that changes in relative humidity create in natural wood floors. Cleaning is easy – vacuum or damp mop – and wax isn't necessary. On top of all that, laminate patterns usually cost less than "the real thing."

Need inspiration for your room? Visit our LAMINATE GALLERY for some ideas!