Laminate Flooring Styles Review

If laminate floors looked fake and phony the last time you looked, then it’s time for a double take. New technology allows today’s laminates to appear nearly indistinguishable from the real thing — even upon close inspection!

What’s New?

As with sheet vinyl floors, most new laminates look almost exactly like the natural materials they’re designed to emulate, particularly the textured products that give a floor dimension.

Modern presses have improved to the point that the texture imprinted on top of the laminate looks more real than ever, even when it’s a distressed wood or natural stone.

True Life Photography

The quality of a laminate is heavily influenced by the original photography and the number of photographs per style — known as "screens".

When manufacturers emulate a natural stone tile, for example, they attempt to recreate its variation in color, pattern and texture that results from cutting a natural product. The more images or screens that a product has, the more variation it can offer and the more realistic the laminate looks.

Color is Key

Like any new floor covering, laminate should be selected to compliment the size and design of your room and the activities that occur in it. Lighter colors always make a smaller room look larger, while darker colors tend to absorb light and create a more intimate space.

Choose a color that either coordinates or contrasts with your furniture and wall décor. Try to avoid matching everything to the same color and style. The more contrasts, the more interesting.