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Laminate
Laminate Flooring mimics the look of other floor materials by employing a picture of real wood, stone or tile covered with a wear-protective layer. Some laminates are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing while costing less too. There are plenty of brands and products to choose from such as Armstrong laminate, Quick-Step, Shaw and Mannington to name a few. Care of laminate flooring is relatively easy, armed with a sweeper and a little knowledge on how to take care of it.
Pros
- Durable – some use advanced coatings designed to stand up to heavy traffic
- Less costly than wood particularly for higher end exotic woods
- Can be applied over existing floors
- ‘Glueless’ laminate is portable – they can be removed and reinstalled elsewhere (though some warranties become void if the floor is disassembled more than 3 times)
- Many style options both in wood and stone patterns
- Installation process is simple enough for someone with do-it-yourself skills
Cons
- Requires full replacement when worn out – no refinishing possible
- Seams between planks and edges present a path for spills/water intrusion which can cause edge-swell
- Floating-floor characteristic results in a hollow sound if no acoustical underlayment is used