Laminate flooring continues to expand and change since its development in Sweden in the 80s and its rapid, almost immediate acceptance throughout Europe.

Adapted from countertop and wall-panel technologies, flooring laminate continues to be perfected on the performance level as it becomes one of the newest darlings of the design world.

If we had one word to describe the new laminate, it would be “inspired.”

Laminate’s first lure is its ability to emulate virtually any of today’s hard surfaces –– wood, stone, tile, bamboo –– and then the availability of laminate in strip, plank and tile formats for the look you want. Next, laminate is tough, sometimes tougher than wood, stone or tile. It’s often less costly, easier to repair and just as design-able as any flooring.

Just when you thought you knew all that about laminate, and began to think as the designers do (“I can do a lot with laminate”), along comes something newer, bolder and even more inspired.

It’s a technology from MeadWestvaco (you know, the paper company). Called Lustralite®, this is an absolutely unique approach to how laminate will look for floors, counters, wall panels, furniture –– even paper packaging!

MeadWestvaco embeds real materials into the paper which becomes image or fashion layer of your laminate. Like the look of nature? Try coffee husks, banana fiber, minerals like mica or strands of metal. For a radical new look, there’s even a holographic paper from manmade beads. Starting this year, you will begin to see these looks in laminate brands offered by better manufacturers whom MeadWestvaco supplies.

Advancements like this, along with techniques such as embossing, texturizing and hand-scraping finishes –– plus gloss levels to suit your taste –– are pleasing both professional and personal designers who also are discovering they can combine laminate fashions for unexpected custom installations. How about a herringbone or basketweave design, or a mix of wood, stone and tile looks? That’s today’s laminate.

With the latest click-together technologies, a laminate floor can literally be installed “out of the box,” easily “floated” over your existing floor and ready to walk on the same day.

A floating floor is not directly attached to the floor below it. Many manufacturers provide videos and tools for do-it-yourselfers. It is literally “snapped together” tongue and groove for a near-seamless floor.

One reason for floating the floor is that the process allows laminate to expand or contract with humidity. The process is so advanced that you will now find hardwood installed as click-together floating floors.

If you are installing in a kitchen or bathroom and are worried about water, glue can be added to the tongue and groove. Confer with your dealer or the manufacturer.

Laminate floors are highly resistant to stains, scratches, dents and dings, and will not fade from the sun. In fact, laminate flooring is up to 12 times as tough as countertop laminate.

If you are concerned about the strength and scratch resistance of a laminate floor, contact the North American Laminate Flooring Association, which can provide you with many types of testing such as for cleanability or stain resistance. (See “Find Flooring Fast,” Pages 78-79.)

Since laminate flooring will expand and contract, similar to wood, it will need moldings or a wall base to cover the expansion joint area. Most products feature coordinating moldings and other trim such as stair nosing. Don’t forget this step! It ensures that rooms and stairs will have a finished, professional look.

Laminate requires a special cushion under it to minimize a “hollow” sound. All manufactures have their particular cushion, called underlayment, which can be installed under their flooring or often comes pre-attached to each piece.