Laminate keeps turning up in more places. The editors of FABULOUS FLOORS wanted to know why, and also what things designers-in-the-know need to know about decorating with this newest flooring category. So, we asked the experts at Armstrong.

What makes laminate so appealing?
Laminate allows you to get the look and feel of rare, exotic wood or expensive stone at a fraction of the cost with none of the drawbacks of natural materials. Laminate’s uncanny ability to deliver the look of wood, stone, brick and ceramic tile is made possible by highly detailed photography of the original.

What’s new with laminate?
In addition to a constantly expanding collection of fashions, including exotic wood looks, today’s more luxurious laminate is enhanced by glueless, locking installation, high-definition imagery, embossing techniques such as Armstrong’s MasterWorks Technology® with VTx™ for realistic, clear and vibrant looks for your floor and its Lock and Fold technology, featuring individual strips engineered to install faster and easier.

How tough is laminate?
Laminate flooring is extremely durable and, in fact, is much less apt to scratch than wood. (Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate is designed so as not to need refinishing or recoating. And badly damaged pieces are easy to replace.)

How do I weigh the pros and cons of laminate flooring?
Start with the fact that laminate is long lasting, easy to clean and maintain, child and pet sensible, environmentally responsible and do-it-yourself friendly (or even quicker to install when done by a pro). Ultimately, it’s all about fashion, and laminate continues to broaden its fashion horizons. Be mindful that laminate cannot be refinished, has a shorter life expectancy than natural products (15 to 30 years) and thus does not add as much value to your home, and needs proper underlayment to eliminate the “hollow” sound.

Where can I use laminate?
Laminate can be used in any room of the house, and that includes spaces below grade, like a basement. All laminate floors have some sensitivity to moisture and should not be used in areas subject to flooding. By taking some routine precautions, much of today’s better laminate flooring can be used in the bathroom.

For more information on decorating and living with laminate, visit www.armstrong.com.