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Laminate
A durable and affordable solution.

Laminate flooring has become a popular choice for many homeowners due to its ability to closely emulate today's most popular hard surfaces, especially hardwood planks and tiles. Besides the great textures and designs, laminate flooring offers improved durability, easier maintenance and affordability compared to other types of hard surfaces floors. These floors are extremely resistant to wear, stains and sunlight fading. The beautifully rich textured finishes make these floors a great alternative for most areas in the home.

Having arrived from Europe over a decade ago, laminate flooring was inspired by countertop materials, only it's at least 20 times stronger. With a high-pressure laminate surface it is virtually impossible for spills and scuffs to leave a mark. The clear surface layer protects the pattern underneath and is highly resistant to cigarette burns and scratches from pets. Maintenance is quick and easy using a damp cloth or vacuum and most household cleaning chemicals will not harm a laminate floor. The surface is hygienic and is excellent for people suffering from allergies.

Specially engineered with layered construction, laminate flooring can be installed almost anywhere in the home, including over dry concrete slabs, wooden subfloors and many types of existing floor coverings. The low clearance space height means laminates are particularly suited for renovation and restoring old houses where floor thicknesses can be a problem.

Laminate Flooring offers a wide selection of rich colors and designs in several different grades, including laminates with pre-attached underlayments to help deaden sound and keep the floor warmer and "embossed-in-register" designs in which the surface texture exactly matches the image texture for highly realistic look and feel of real hardwood, tile and stones styles.

Browse our hardwood and laminate showroom on-line below.

Source:  Mohawk Industries.  www.mohawkflooring.com

Product Catalogs
Mohawk Product Catalog
Armstrong Product Catalog
Wilsonart Product Catalog
Available Brands
Residential and Commercial Applications
Mohawk
 Armstrong
 Wilsonart

 

Hardwood versus Laminate
What's right for you, and why it may be neither.

Consumers are often confused with the differences between hardwood and laminate flooring and which one is best.  The answer, like most flooring, is that it depends on your individual situation.  Both are made from wood, however laminate is an image on top, not the actual grain of the wood (like hardwood).  Probably the most important is where you plan to install the flooring.  Use the guide below to consider your options.

Location Hardwood Laminate
Heavy-traffic
Entry Ways		 Not recommended Will perform better but is susceptible to pooled liquids.  Tile is a better option.
Kitchens and
Utility Rooms		 Both are susceptible to pooled liquids and frequent spills in the same location.  Topical spills should be removed immediately.  Leaks from ice makers and washers can ruin floors before they are noticed.  Consider tile, vinyl, or luxury vinyl planks as possible alternatives.
Full Baths Neither are recommended when the room is often used for baths and/or showers.  Both are susceptible to pooled liquids and frequent spills in the same location.  Moisture can cause planks to buckle.    Consider tile, vinyl, or luxury vinyl planks as possible alternatives.
Half Baths Either option is acceptable when the room is not often used for baths and/or showers.  However, both are susceptible to pooled liquids and frequent spills in the same location.  Topical spills should be removed immediately.
Basements Neither are recommended if moisture levels in the basement are unknown or above acceptable levels.  Both are susceptible to pooled liquids and frequent spills in the same location.  Moisture can cause planks to buckle.  Generally, moisture levels should be tested before installing any flooring below ground level.
Other rooms Either option is acceptable for rooms without moisture considerations.

If the location does not present a clear choice, here are some "pros and cons" of the two products to consider.  To help you choose, pick the consideration(s) that are most important to you and see which flooring come out on top for your home.

Consideration Hardwood Laminate
Price - Generally more expensive. + Generally less expensive.
Durability - Varies with species of wood, but less durable than laminate. + More durable.  Very hard to scratch and dent.
Sound + Quiet (when attached to subfloor).  Floating products are not much quieter than laminate. - Can be considered noisy.  A premium laminate pad can reduce the noise.
Adds Value + Adds value to your home when installed properly. - Does not add much value.
Appearance + Natural and timeless beauty. - Replicates hardwood look to varying success.
Kid & Pet Friendly - Can scratch and susceptible to pooled liquids. + Better, but susceptible to pooled liquids.
DIY - Glued hardwood can be installed with limited skill. + No glue- easier to install but requires more patience.
Lifespan + When properly maintained, can last a lifetime. - Usually 15 - 30 years when properly maintained.

Our Hardwood and Laminate Showroom
Take a look around and get yourself acquainted with our products!

In 2007 we completely remodeled our laminate corner with fresh new displays and styles from Armstrong, Mohawk and WilsonArt.  We've just completed remodeling our hardwood section and adding Pinnacle to our existing lines of Armstrong, Mohawk and LM.

To browse our showroom, please visit our new Browse Showroom Page.
 

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