Question:
: We’re in the early stages of shopping for flooring for a remodel and : are attracted to laminate flooring. : : What are the pros and cons of the different brands? … Now I’m even more confused: I’ve picked up brochures for a number of laminate flooring brands, and, remarkably, it’s not always possible to tell from their literature which of them use wood veneer for the decorative layer and which just use a picture of wood grain (or stone or tile or abstract patterns). Very odd! Again, does anyone have a road map to the competing laminate brands? Thanks.
Response:
I am a home builder and recommend to my customers that they avoid all wood and laminate engineered flooring. If you consult with professional installers and poll consumers who have used these products you will find there is only about a 50% satisfaction rating. Contrary to what the sales people tell you, these floors will dent, chip, scratch, and warp from moisture and there are so many warranty claims against all manufacturers that few honor existing warranties. There are no real ‘repair’ solutions to these floors apart from replacement. If you can afford it, consider the tried and true flooring solutions that have been tested thru the centuries: hardwood or ceramic tile.
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Response:
We’re in the early stages of shopping for flooring for a remodel and are attracted to laminate flooring. What are the pros and cons of the different brands? Some people say Pergo has been overtaken in quality by more recent entrants to the field; correct? Formica has a 15-year guarantee against water damage and Wilsonart also claims to be appropriate for use in kitchens and even bathrooms. Would you trust either of them in a kitchen, and what about other brands? A comparison chart at carpeteria.com calls Pickering its "best buy"; anything to that? We’re not planning on installing the floor ourselves, so ease of installation isn’t of primary concern — or should we be worried about installation pitfalls even if we have it professionally done? Thanks for any tips you can share. And for a recent useful post related to this topic, see:
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