Laminate flooring has
come a long way, thanks to modern technology. Once considered a
functional economy flooring, it now is thought
of as a beautiful and affordable alternative to wood, stone, or tile,
thought by many to be the next big design trend. It has the same high
durability, low maintenance, and easy installation as before.
A more robust product
hides subfloor imperfections, is quieter, and has excellent design
options. While laminate comes in a range of thicknesses, a density
of 10-mm or 12-mm will give you that quality, authentic feeling.
Especially if you select a wood look, you’ll want that hard surface
feeling underfoot.
If it’s high quality,
it will have true-to-life images taken with digital photography.
These have clarity and vibrancy with knots, swirls, grains, and
veining variations with micro beveling and deep embossing to add
depth, dimension, and textured appearances. It won't be uncommon to
find grainy textures or wire-brushed, hand scraped, weathered and
distressed looks.
Following trends, you
can find whitewashed floors or stone surfaces such as marble,
granite, travertine, etc. If the tiles are your preference, look for
chevron, herringbone, encaustic styles, and filigrees, all of which
can be mixed and matched to create a unique design. The material can
be cut to mimic hardwood boards or groutable squares to echo stone
and tile.