Laminate flooring has come a long way from the days of fake-looking flooring. Today’s laminates are as thick as hardwood, as durable (or more durable) than hardwood, easy to install, and come in various finishes, widths and thicknesses–it’s sometimes impossible to tell the difference. Some laminates have padding attached to the bottom adding even more durability, solidity, and providing a noise barrier to the room below. When our clients request a hardwood or laminate installation, we advise them to pick out several samples and scratch them…that’s right, take a car key to the piece of flooring and scratch it!! If it dents or leaves a mark, this floor will not provide the lasting durability most homeowners need. Cost is not always an indicator of the best flooring–I have seen less expensive flooring hold up better than top-of-the-line flooring. Once selections pass the scratch test, take them home and lay them out on the floor in the space you will be renovating. In addition to determining which will look best in your space, this review process allows you to see how the color works with the lighting and other features of the room…just as paint changes in different lighting, so does flooring! Our goal is to guide you through the process and advise you on selecting flooring that not only meets your visual needs but also withstand the test of time (and pets, and kids).
