The world waited a long time for laminate flooring and now that it is here, homeowners are finding it has many important performance advantages over other types of flooring:
Wood
Can be easily damaged by sunlight
Susceptible to scratches, burns, dents
Swells, warps and spots with prolonged water exposure
Requires routine waxing and/or finishing
Vinyl Tile
Can be easily damaged in high traffic areas
Some choices require regular waxing and buffing
Yellows and discolors with age
Limited range of designs and colors
Carpet
Signs of wear and traffic patterns become visible over time
Retains odors, mold, mildew and other allergens
Difficult to clean, easily stained
Ceramic
Costly, labor intensive installation
Difficult and expensive to repair/remove
Grout is easily stained, requires regular maintenance
Hard, unforgiving surface increases injury risks
Sheet Vinyl
Yellows, dents, curls and tears
Easily stained and scratched
Requires careful subfloor preparation
Even minor subfloor imperfections telescope through to surface