Brand Wars II – A Laminate Showdown
By Steve Simonson
Introduction – This article is a collection of my own personal and private views.
*Please be sure to read my FINAL COMMENTS at the end of this article. They are vital to your flooring future.*
Selecting a floor today couldn't be more confusing. Which laminate should you choose? Which brand should you buy? This article describes some of the fundamentals about laminate flooring, including detailed comparisons and product-to-product technical differences. The differences have even been backed by LABORATORY TESTS on more than 70 different laminate products in both abrasion resistance and moisture absorption. For those competitors that like to copy my articles, the bar has been raised. We have invested over $25,000 in laboratory work for this article.
I know that as a floor covering shopper, you must progress through STEVE'S STAGES OF FLOOR SHOPPING and during these stages you may very well lose your mind. (I am only half joking.) The first Brand Wars article created so much email to me and consumer feedback that it was really overdue to freshen up the article. The information contained within this article is of unparalleled depth and breadth.
When I started iFLOOR.com (then called efloorcovering.com) in 1998 -- becoming the first online flooring store -- we had one simple goal: educate the consumer. If we could do that successfully, the business would be rewarded in kind. iFLOOR.com was the first and has become the leading and largest flooring website in the world.
Why even write such an article?
Our parent company Smooth Corporation was recently named the 115th largest Internet Retailer and the 107th Fastest Growing Private Company on the Inc. 500. There have been many other accolades for the work of the fine people within the organization and I therefore dedicate this article to the men and women that make iFLOOR.com and Smooth Corporation one of the best companies in the world!
My decision to tackle the chore of providing information about laminate flooring was partially based on the demands of my customers. More than 500,000 flooring shoppers have read the article PERGO® VS. THE WORLD that I wrote a number of years ago. Its message was not to be oversold by people who didn't understand the true facts about laminate floors. Part of the point of that article was to help people understand where laminate flooring fits into the whole scheme of things and today this still is an important need. People today are still oversold and misled about laminate flooring.
People should buy floors based on realistic performance expectations as well as true sales information. As you establish your expectations for your new flooring, remember: this is a floor and it will be walked on and put under a lot of living. This fact, in itself, leads to changes in appearance from the time when the flooring was brand new. Don't let a warranty talk you out of reality. You know the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is." Common sense should not take a back seat to promises made by salespeople or unbelievable warranties. Warranties in general are not worth the paper they are written on. Just ask the people with LIFETIME warranties from the now defunct Pickering Flooring Company. Warranties are only a part of the puzzle, but you shouldn’t base your decision on warranties.
All laminates are really not created equal
One really simple concept to understand is that laminate floors are made differently and those differences lead to a clear line of comparison between laminate flooring makers. However, if you were to take the CEOs of each flooring brand and ask them a simple question like, "Is your flooring truly the BEST laminate flooring?" It is likely that each one would reply in the predictable, yet not mathematically possible, answer of "yes." I'll bet that if we hooked them to a polygraph we might get some real answers. Until then, this is the kind of thinking that will continuously be passed down to sales organizations and sales forces in the retail stores where consumers shop. Any questions on why you get conflicting information?
So we thought it would be a good idea to remove conflicts by getting all the products tested at one independent laboratory. The lab was given samples in the blind, which means they didn’t know who made the products. Each sample was given a number and the results for each number were recorded as the testing progressed.
When I say that laminates are not created equal, let me share some live lab results that demonstrate this concept. One floor we tested had 9800 revolutions on the TABER test. Another floor at a similar price point had only 380 revolutions. Without getting into the details on how the testing is done, let me say that the higher the number the better. 1800 revolutions is the residential minimum. 2500 is the minimum for light commercial. 3000 is the minimum for full commercial flooring. As another data point, one of the floors tested had only a 0.5% swell while another style had a 34% swell – WELL above the maximum standard of 20%.
The unique part of this report is that one lab tested all products with the exact same methods thereby giving a good relative indicator for each product tested. This is a positive thing for you because you get to see all these products tested by only one independent lab.
Brands are like stars in the sky
There are now so many different brands and manufacturers that it has really become a challenge to get to the bottom line. Also, I think that it is important for consumers to realize that one manufacturer makes many different brands. The purpose of this is to be able to market different products through different channels. Pergo, Dupont, BHK and Columbia create contract manufacturing relationships with other factories and then market the products under their brand name. This can lead to confusion. Pergo makes Pergo Select and that is an excellent product. It does not make Pergo Signature which is found in Lowe’s and is a lower quality product when compared to Select. In the end, the manufacturers are just trying to keep retailers happy by reducing the so-called channel conflict between big boxes and traditional retailers.
You can only imagine the amount of headaches the Internet has caused for flooring manufacturers and retailers. A great amount of frustration and energy is spent trying to control what is shown on the Internet. There can be a large disparity between prices that you, as a consumer, are able to buy online compared to offline. Sometimes this is a result of efficiencies, sometimes just low price mentalities and other times shady Internet dudes trying to make a buck. It’s hard for consumers to know who to trust online or offline.
There are more than a few manufacturers with an active strategy trying to keep prices higher than they should be for consumers. For those interested in staying informed about companies that are actively engaged in trying to take your rights away by artificially increasing prices or otherwise reducing distribution, please email me with PRICE FIXING in the subject line and I will add you to my mailing list on the subject.
Natural Hardwood vs. Pergo® Wood
Now I know that someone out there is asking – yes, all this is well and good, but what is the difference between Pergo® and true hardwood floors? I use the brand Pergo® because it is now the generic equivalent of the entire laminate flooring category. Like Kleenex has become the generic name in tissue paper, so too has Pergo® marketed itself to the top of laminate. Unfortunately, people in general, when they say Pergo®, they mean laminate flooring. That is a fact.
So back to the question – what is the difference between laminate and hardwood? As an industry sector, not a lot. However, as material category, hardwood is a natural product and laminate is, well, unnatural. I should say synthetic, but unnatural makes it sound more fun. Hardwood relies on a natural surface combined with some kind of finish to create a visual and wearable surface.
Laminate floors, on the other hand, use a photo or drawing of wood to create the surface aesthetic. It is also designed to be durable by using a tough finish and laminate is most known for its easy-to-install roots. Of course the word easy can be relative. There are some who would still insist that laminate is a tough job. However, in general, laminate is one of the easiest floors to be installed by a non-professional.
Tell us the answer already!
A lot has changed over time. Pergo® has gone from top of the pack to the bottom and is starting to regain some strength with Pergo® Select. Mannington has taken a lot of hits recently and is doing a terrible job of getting the product to the market. Formica and Pickering are out of the flooring business. Witex is in bankruptcy and its on-again-off-again US strategy is too risky to make it a choice for the foreseeable future; therefore you will not find Witex in my list of reviews. Quickstep is a new power player and now owned by the flooring giant Mohawk Industries; the same company that needed some help in laminate thereby making Quickstep a welcome and powerful part of the Mohawk team. Shaw makes a lot of flooring too and their flooring options are starting to show promise. Plus, there are countless Chinese imports, European imports, private labels and other variables to keep you guessing.
One note about imports from China and other countries: Laminate was invented in Europe and today many of today’s major brands are still made in Europe. Some other countries including China, Malaysia, Russia and a few more are now producing laminate -- with mixed results. Just like floors made in North America or Europe, there are some good ones and some bad ones.
I will also mention that certain brands may have been covered which we feel are substandard and not worth the time to cover. Still other brands have such terrible distribution and accessibility that covering them would also be a waste of time since only a select few may be able to buy the product. There are a number of private label products that are not covered today, but may be added in the future as we have more resources for lab testing and detailed analysis.
The official rating system
5 Stars in Each Category.
The best overall score is calculated from the total of all categories. The more stars, the better the score. One (1) star is the lowest and five (5) stars the highest. Highest possible score is fifty (50) stars.
Color and Design
This category is based on the variety and breadth of the color line. Basically, the more colors and styles a brand offers, the higher the score. Having more than just a standard oak will generally lead to a higher score. If a brand has colors and styles that are copies of other brands they will have a lower score.
Warranty
This category is scored on how the brand compares to the industry benchmark, which is a 15-year wear, a 15-year fade, a 15-year stain, and a 15-year moisture warranty. We are not implying that the warranties are what should determine your decision. We are just giving a comparison to other brands. Typically, the lower-end lines have shorter warranties. Do remember that warranties have a lot of fine prints in them. If a brand has simply added warranty coverage to their literature without actually improving their product, we did not score them well.
Ease of Installation
This score is based on how easy a do-it-yourself customer can install the floor. The fewer steps in the installation, the higher the score. A very good floor may be tougher to install, like a square or tile format. Planks are definitely easier. Remember that professional installers are great resources if you need them, but that many floors are within the scope of a good do-it-yourself customer.
Durability
Perhaps the biggest indicator of long-term satisfaction is durability. The flooring wear layer is the biggest factor. Additional important components are the core material density, the balancing layer of laminate on the back and several other more technical details. The lab results for the TABER test (a.k.a. abrasion resistance test) that I received on each product also weigh specifically into this category. Scratch resistance, stain resistance, UV fade resistance, cigarette burn resistance and static coefficient of friction are all factors here as well.
Customer Feedback
This is based on what customers tell us AFTER the floor is installed. The look of the floor, maintenance, warranty, and overall customer expectations are compiled in this category. This is real-life experience that is being scored here. Customers that are providing feedback are a great source of information.
Professional Feedback
This is based on what our professional installers tell us DURING and AFTER the flooring is installed. Our installers want the floors to be consistent and easy to install. This works to their benefit as well as the consumer's because it leads to a better quality installation. Flooring professionals are a great source of continual feedback..
Moisture & Core
The moisture and core rating covers more than just how well the floor holds together. It covers the mechanical locking system, which is now the standard, clearly making it an important factor. Additionally, the moisture absorption rate for each floor also weighs heavily in this category. The lab tests for the core moisture absorption are weighed into this category. THIS IS IMPORTANT. There are some floors that FAIL the residential maximum edge swell test allowance that is an already generous 20%.
Price-to-Value Ratio
The price/value rating is all about getting the most for your money. Sure there are some 79 cent laminate floors out there. But the P/V ratio on those is terrible. Buying a 6mm piece of crap even for your basement or your kid’s room is a waste of time –when you know about a .99 cent laminate floor that is 8.2mm with an awesome wear layer. Knowledge is power!
Uniqueness
We wanted to reward manufacturers for bringing something unique to the industry instead of just copying another's idea. We also factor in how comprehensive the accessories program is with the brand. For instance, having laminate covered matching trims is one key to a good score. Things like a beveled edge or being able to make a handscraped laminate is something that will give you a better score here. Also, some of better features like random lengths, thinner widths or just having some really cool designs will land a good score here.
Brand Reliability
Many brands of laminate floors are becoming recognizable in the market and we rate how reliable a brand is during claims process. This is a key factor because what a warranty says and how a manufacturer handles that warranty can be two different things. One thing that can lower the score a bit is if the brand is new to the market. We have no real way to assess a new company's ability to handle complaints. Just in case you are curious, floors do get complaints. So this, again, is an important category. I will say typically it’s the retailers that make more of a difference in claims than the manufacturer. Some retailers make it part of their mission to act as a consumer advocate in the case of a claim. In general, manufacturers are all about misdirection when it comes to a complaint. More about that in a future article.
| Alloc Home Flooring |
| Color and Design |  | 2 |
| Warranty | | 1 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 21 |
| Alloc used to be a great innovator. Now, they are just another producer of laminate. Nothing special. The home flooring range of products is a middle grade of laminate with nothing distinctive about it. In general, I think that Alloc has a great history and will hopefully rise again to become an important player. They have taken a generally anti-Internet policy which is also not helpful to consumers trying to find the best deals. |
| Alloc Stone Tile |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 1 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 22 |
| The Alloc Stone Tile line is a narrow range of more natural looks that is pretty decent to look at. The nice looks, however, are offset by a near failing grade in the moisture absorption category. Too close for comfort. In general, I think that Alloc has a great history and will hopefully rise again to become an important player. They have taken a generally anti-Internet policy which is also not helpful to consumers trying to find the best deals. |
| Alloc Original |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 4 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 31 |
| Alloc Original is the best offering from Alloc in North America. A solid performance here in durability and moisture resistance. The range, however, is too narrow. If you are looking for Alloc, this is your top choice, but I can say from my past history of covering Alloc that they can do better. There are a lot of smart and dedicated people at Alloc that will hopefully make progress soon! In general, I think that Alloc has a great history and will hopefully rise again to become an important player. They have taken a generally anti-Internet policy which is also not helpful to consumers trying to find the best deals. |
| Alloc Domestic |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 1 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 1 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 20 |
| Alloc Domestic failed its minimum residential abrasion resistance in our lab tests. Enough said. In general, I think that Alloc has a great history and will hopefully rise again to become an important player. They have taken a generally anti-Internet policy which is also not helpful to consumers trying to find the best deals. |
| Armstrong Nature’s Gallery Exotic |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 27 |
| Armstrong has made a more significant effort over the past few years to become a player in laminate flooring. In general, they have not been that successful, considering their huge brand name. However, Nature's Gallery is a good step forward in terms of design and styling. Although narrow in color choice, the colors themselves are great and the 4-sided bevel is a great accent. |
| Armstrong Cumberland Collection |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 30 |
| The Cumberland line scored well in durability despite its thinner wear surface. The colors and styles are basic, but this is a reasonable line considering the price and durability. Certainly a fine value in this category from Armstrong laminate! |
| Armstrong Nature’s Gallery Armalock |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 5 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 31 |
| Nature's Gallery with Armalock is a wide selection of styles and colors, which I have to say, does a nice job. The overall scoring was positive and the value again seems reasonable. It kind of feels weird to say that since Armstrong has a history of being more of a brand that pushes the name and the price to the higher levels. Although Armstrong doesn’t make their laminate flooring themselves, they are doing a decent job of keeping control over the process and product quality. |
| Armstrong Pacific Heights |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 26 |
| I am not sure what the point of Pacific Heights is. With only four colors, it certainly doesn't present a wide selection. However, the looks within the line up are fine and the product quality is middle of the road. Not a lot to say about this one. |
| Armstrong Origins |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 5 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 31 |
| Armstrong Origins is a solid player with EXTREMELY positive durability scores. The slightly older visual stylings are the only tiny drawback of what is an overall nice range of products. Armstrong did a nice job with the quality here, but the patterns need some help! |
| BHK Click Glueless |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 1 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 20 |
| BHK had a nice spot in the laminate flooring market about 4-5 years ago. Today, they are a background player. This style of flooring is OLD! Not bad, just dated. The value is okay for this range of laminate flooring, but there is nothing remarkable about it. BHK floors are also made by a manufacturer in Europe. |
| BHK Moderna Ceramico |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 23 |
| The BHK Moderna Ceramico line up is narrow, but has several nice colors. This is a middle tier meat-and-potatoes selection for the Midwest, so I am not sure why they give it a fancy Italian-sounding name. I bet it would sell better if it was called BHK Mainstreet Ceramics. |
| BHK Moderna Lifestyle |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 24 |
| The Moderna Lifestyle line is not too bad. A bit overpriced for a 7mm - but it gets a REALLY high mark for its most popular color Black Ash. This is a really nice design and certainly the best of what BHK has to offer. I definitely give them high marks for this series of colors which shows that the design team is focused on getting some of the more popular trends into the BHK family. |
| BHK Moderna SoundGuard |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 23 |
| The Moderna SoundGuard adds an attached underlayment which bumps up the price, but for some reason this product just barely passes the moisture absorption test. I am not sure why BHK would switch cores which did fine in other testing, but this is enough for me to avoid this product. Lifetime warranty doesn’t mean much to me. |
| BHK It’s a Snap |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| The It's a Snap series from BHK Laminate is nice to look at, but the product itself is not as tough as we think it could be. I really like the wide color range which shows promise, but this is still a lower tier performer compared to some of the other products out there. The BHK head honcho should add a tougher wear layer to this and really go to market heavy. This could be a great floor in the future. |
| BHK Tile |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 25 |
| BHK Tile doesn't make the top tier of any list at this point. A lifetime warranty doesn't really make me feel any better either. The colors are not even that great. This one is a pass. |
| BHK Moderna Vision |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| The BHK Moderna Vision is a limited selection of wider plank-styled wood grains. The floors look fine and I think they carve out a nice middle section of the line up. A bit overpriced in my opinion as well. Nothing super notable. |
| Balterio Vitality |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 16 |
| Vitality could have been great considering its price point. It wears okay, but it failed the moisture absorption test. For some reason, the Balterio products in general have a problem with this since 3 of 5 failed the test with 1 of the remaining two coming within an inch of a failing grade. |
| Balterio Ambassador |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| Balterio Ambassador also failed the moisture test. This is an indication of a weak core board and not something that I would suggest people put in their homes. The colors are okay and the wear is okay too -- but man, the moisture! The guys in Balta, Europe are REALLY smart and have made a very successful company there. I am not certain why their cores tested so poorly, but it is enough to scare me away. |
| Balterio Ambassador Touch |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| Balterio Ambassador Touch failed the moisture test. It didn't just fail, it failed with flamboyance. It almost appeared to be taunting the test. Steer clear. Same as the Ambassador line in terms of wear and potential. Yikes. |
| Balterio Reflexion |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 24 |
| Balterio Reflexion is the notable exception to the moisture problems found with other Balterio styles. This comes in with a solid middle level score in this area and decent wear ratings. Although offering a narrow color line up, this is a solid little range of choices. My top pick in Balterio’s selections. |
| Balterio Authentic Style |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| Balterio Authentic Style has 4 colors that are very appealing. Mid-grade. Weak on moisture as usual. If it wasn’t for the moisture, this floor would have scored a lot better. I am hopeful when we test again next year we will yield better results. |
| Columbia Classic Clic |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 5 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 28 |
| Columbia Classic Clic really is a classic. It has a broad color range and toughness to go along with it. I would certainly say this is my top pick in the Columbia family. Columbia flooring as a company has faded into the back of the pack over the past few years, but the classics never die. Columbia doesn’t make their own flooring anymore either; but like many other brands actual manufacturing is not a pre-requisite to making quality flooring. |
| Columbia Clic |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 21 |
| I like the patterns in this series. It really shows that a great design team worked like crazy on this product range. However, the floor failed the moisture absorption test. That means it is over in my book. Too bad. I like the patterns. |
| Columbia Colonial Clic |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 1 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 21 |
| The Colonial Clic adds the 4-sided bevel with a narrow color range. The looks are nice especially the 6" -wide which gives a more planked appearance, but once again, Columbia products failed the moisture test. That is not good. Therefore, this is a no go. |
| Columbia Traditional Clicette |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 1 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core |
| 0 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
| The Traditional Clicette is well, traditional. Nothing fancy, nothing out of the ordinary. This is a reasonable line up with reasonable durability, but the moisture on the edge BARELY passed the test for maximum allowable absorption. Not enough to risk in my book. |
| Mannington iCORE |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 5 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 29 |
| Unique. No doubt. Mannington iCORE is still the leader of the pack when it comes to commercial flooring. Although its durability doesn't make a full commercial rating in our abrasion lab test, it did just about hit the light commercial level. In terms of moisture absorption resistance there is no equal. Since the core is plastic it simply WILL NOT absorb water. The absorption rating is untouchable by any other floor. I still think it is a bit overpriced, but if you are doing a commercial area this is a top choice as long as you can wait for it. Mannington is having lots of trouble with their laminate production so be prepared to be patient. |
| Mannington Historic Click |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 26 |
| The Historic Click series from Mannington has some really nice patterns and despite the older styling the patterns still work today. However, the lower end of the durability scale is where this floor will be found along with a host of problems getting the product at this point. Mannington is having some serious issues with production quality. |
| Mannington M-Lock 88mm |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
| Mannington has a great design department, no doubt about that. This series of patterns has been around for a long time, but still has a lot of great potential. However, Mannington continues to face the challenge of production, therefore I am only lukewarm on their products at the moment. |
| Mannington NatureForm Click Tile |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 1 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
| The NatureForm Click Tile range of products from Mannington is one of the best tile selections available. However, in relation to the on-going production issues I would avoid this series. Mannington has lost some of their past luster which is a shame. Their long tradition of a family business looking out for American consumers will rebound at some point. Until then, consider alternatives. |
| Mannington NatureForm Click Plank |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 28 |
| Another great selection of patterns from the Mannington design team. I love the honey barn oak and its brothers and sisters. The looks are great as usual. Although in this case, the durability is nice, the moisture absorption rate is too close for comfort with the rating nearly hitting the maximum allowable limit. That, combined with Mannington's supply issues, is enough to pass on this for now. |
| Meyer Premier 7mm |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 1 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 20 |
| The Meyer 7mm product actually scores well on abrasion resistance, but nearly fails the moisture test. This is an okay line with a decent value, but the moisture concern would make me pause. This flooring is made by a European company too. The biggest problem I get back from customers is regarding the installation so I would at least be cautious. |
| Meyer Prestige 8mm |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 1 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 1 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 19 |
| The Prestige 8mm product from Meyer does fine in terms of easily passing the moisture test; but interestingly enough, it doesn't resist abrasion as well as the 7mm cousin from Meyer. In terms of colors and styles, this is a basic offering which can work for a lot of people. I have heard some feedback about tough installation challenges on the job site. |
| Quickstep Perspective 4 Side Bevel |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 37 |
| The Quickstep Perspective 4-sided bevel is a great product and a very innovative design. Although there are other flooring products and panels with bevels, Quickstep added the bevel, which really gave their laminate an added dimension. However, the bevel, in my opinion, is too big. It is still a great floor though, so if the bevel doesn't bother you, there is no reason not to check it out. A bit on the higher end of the scale in terms of price however. |
| Quickstep Perspective Bevel Long Plank |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 37 |
| Most of the Quickstep Perspective long-sided bevel is more of the same from the 4-sided cousin; but overall, a very tough floor. No downside here. This is simply one of the best floors made. I would easily recommend this as a leading flooring option! |
| Quickstep Clic |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 1 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 30 |
| Quickstep Clic is another style of flooring with a great durability rating and good marks across the board even at such a low price point. The colors are old school, but this line up represents a very decent offering. The low warranty coverage has nothing to do with the product quality and is just a way to make the price point more affordable. |
| Quickstep Uniclic Long |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 4 |
| Durability | | 5 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 36 |
| The Quickstep Uniclic Long Plank is incredibly tough. There are few floors that match its durability. It scores well across the board. This, for the money, is a great value. Another hit from Quickstep. The Belgium roots of this company show through in its innovation and absolute uncompromising quality. There are only a couple guys who come close. |
| Quickstep Uniclic Plank |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 4 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 33 |
| Quickstep Uniclic plank is another weird example of a brand with almost the same kind of flooring, yet some of the testing, the results were a bit vaguer. I would probably go with a different flooring from Quickstep rather than this particular style. |
| Quickstep Unisound 10mm |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 4 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 30 |
| Quickstep makes great laminates, but this is the weakest player in their line up. Almost failed the moisture test and is not really that great at the abrasion resistance test (at least compared to other Quickstep options.) Save the $$ and pick something different from Quickstep. |
| Quickstep Steps Floor 7mm |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 27 |
| The Steps range from Quickstep just barely passes the moisture swell test, yet scores well in abrasion resistance. I wouldn't put this in the top of the Quickstep line, but the price indicates that it is their entry level. This is a riskier choice in the Quickstep family. |
| Quickstep Elegance 8mm |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 29 |
| Quickstep Elegance scored really great in abrasion resistance again! But like a couple of their other products, the moisture test was a little more ambiguous. I would feel better about Perspectives or Quickstep Long Plank, especially at this price point. |
| Quickstep Uniclic Tiles |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 4 |
| Total | 23 |
| The Quickstep Uniclic tiles are a reasonable package of colors with a nice locking system. A good middle to upper tile product line is what this series really represents. There are not enough good tile patterns in laminate so this is a good option to at least balance out a couple of the other brands that offer ceramic or stone patterns. |
| RoySol V-clic |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 26 |
| This is a European brand that is trying to get a foothold in the US. It is at the mid-level of laminate flooring. It has a 4-sided v-groove and some decent patterns. Overall, I think it is an okay floor. Very limited distribution however, so buying online makes sense. |
| True Grooved Collection |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 4 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 34 |
| True Grooved has a need for more colors, but the two beveled options -- Roman Maple and Cheyenne Cherry -- are VERY well done. The colors and bevels really give a sweet combination for a realistic looking floor. I wish they had more colors to choose from. This floor is made by a different manufacturer. |
| Westhollow South Pacific |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 4 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 4 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 37 |
| The narrow color line up leaves only a couple choices, but the exotic stylings are very realistic. The smooth finish gives a very realistic look, but makes the abrasion test results look a bit weak. The moisture test results were excellent, making this a great middle tier floor in the 12mm line up. This brand of flooring is made by a different manufacturer. |
| Westhollow Classic |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 4 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 32 |
| The Westhollow Classic is a group of refreshed colors that stays true to the core of the market. Again, it would be better if there was more color selection, but overall this heavy-textured floor will do well against pets. It also scored very well in the moisture tests. A solid player. |
| Wilsonart Classic Glueless Plank |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 29 |
| This series, in general, does okay. Nothing crazy here, but a solid player. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Classic Glueless Tiles |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 29 |
| Wilsonart has always maintained a very large selection of tile looks and they have performed well over the course of time too. This line up is no different. With the exception of Wilsonart's slacker Internet policy, I think this is a reasonable line of products. This is one of my favorite tile series. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Estate Plus Planks |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 30 |
| For durability, the Wilsonart Estate rivals the top flooring options. The moisture test showed incredible resistance to water! This is a great product. It boggles me that I have to tell you how great this product is yet I know that if you call Wilsonart and ask them if you should buy at iFLOOR.com, they will encourage you to buy at a local store which is all about the price. Again, the only caveat related to Wilsonart is their anti-consumer Internet policy. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Estate Plus Tile |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 1 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 1 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
| Wilsonart Estate Plus Tile is a dud. It nearly failed the moisture test and didn't score well in abrasion either. I don't know what happened but the numbers suggest that this should be avoided. The price is also nutty. AVOID. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Duolink 7mm |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 22 |
| I am sure that Duolink will be discontinued in the near future, but it is a reasonable product line for now. Although the moisture resistance isn't where I would like to see it, the product did pass. There are better choices than this series, but there are worse choices too. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Red Label Planks 8.1mm |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 5 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 37 |
| Wilsonart Red Label. Wow. The price makes me say wow, but I will tell you there are only a couple other floors that tested this well in abrasion resistance. It also performed well in the moisture resistance test. This is a home run, but wow. The value is there because the product is built so well. Wow. Did I mention that I like this product? Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you�re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Red Label Woods 8.4mm |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 36 |
| The Wilsonart Red Label products look cool. The core board, the backer and whole presentation are nice and obviously well thought out. This is another nice product that will push the upper price points. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Red Label Stones 8.4mm |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 36 |
| Red Label from Wilsonart in the stone look is one of the most durable stone products available. This is a Made-in-the-USA line that blows away the competition. With the exception of Wilsonart’s attempts to inflate the prices, I think this is a great choice. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Wilsonart Red Label Hand Scraped 8.4mm |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 1 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 1 |
| Total | 33 |
| This is a unique floor, but not worth the money and doesn't wear particularly well. Wilsonart would normally have a better brand reliability, but some of their recent warranty decisions have really given me reason to caution any Wilsonart buyer. Basically, they are trying to scare Internet flooring buyers by suggesting that their warranty would have a more limited term than if they buy their floor at the local stores. And yes, you’re right; the price at the local stores is a lot higher than the online price. Why would they do this? You tell me. Either way, the warranty on any product sold online is the same as any product sold in normal stores. The federal Magnuson Moss act guarantees it! Any flooring purchased at iFLOOR.com will absolutely maintain the full coverage. Why Wilsonart wants to try to confuse the customer is beyond me. |
| Costco Harmonics |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
| Costco sells miles and miles of this flooring. You can find better looking floors at similar price points. There is nothing critically wrong with the floor except the patterns are old and ugly. The price/value ratio is also lower than I would have expected from Costco. This floor is made by a different manufacturer. |
| Home Depot Traffic Master |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 1 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 1 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
| Home Depot works with a major manufacturer to make the Traffic Master line and I have to say, overall, it is a solid middle player. There are better-priced options to be sure when comparing apples to apples, but this is a reasonable floor. |
| Home Depot Pergo Presto |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 2 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 1 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 19 |
| For some reason, Pergo Presto is made by someone other than Pergo. I am sure there are good reasons. This particular product is fine for an entry level option, but nothing else screams “Pick Me.” Being a Home Depot exclusive, you can imagine that it is not priced competitively. |
| Home Depot Dupont Real Touch |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 2 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
| Home Depot worked to get a major brand like Dupont to lend its name to this flooring, which Dupont neither makes, nor distributes, nor sells. The flooring is made by a major US manufacturer and it looks nice enough, but what does the name Dupont mean to you? If it sounds like it adds credibility, then it probably also adds a slice of the pie for our friends at Dupont. How does that help you? The abrasion resistance is not as good as I expected and I would probably choose Traffic Master if I were forced to select a floor from Home Depot. (But why would I be?) |
| Lowe's Armstrong Swift Lock |
| Color and Design | | 2 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 1 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 25 |
| Lowe’s carried SwiftLock for awhile and seems to be wishy washy if they are going to continue to carry it or not. I honestly can't get a straight answer. I do, however, find that it tests well, yet the customer feedback I get about it is VERY negative. I don't know where the gap is. |
| Lowe's Pergo Signature |
| Color and Design | | 1 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 3 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
| Pergo Signature-- which is not made by Pergo directly-- is middle-grade flooring disguised as high-end flooring by the price tag. There are better values, including Pergo Select. Pergo Select outperforms Pergo Signature in every category including, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance and moisture resistance. The Signature line is not a terrible floor, it is okay. But the additional attached underlayment is not worth the extra money. My advice -- buy Pergo Select and get a good cork underlayment if you want a premium floor. (It will end up costing you about the same as Signature.) I am biased, however, since this is a Lowe’s exclusive. (But my lab results are not biased. They are a fact.) |
| Carpet One Liz Claiborne |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 1 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 2 |
| Total | 25 |
| Obviously, Liz Claiborne is not out in her garage making flooring. Now that I think of it, I am not sure if there is even a real person named Liz Claiborne. This is a marketing label that Carpet One uses very effectively to offer some interesting flooring choices that are exclusive to Carpet One members. Overall, the floor is a middle level laminate, although the moisture absorption resistance is not as good as it could be. Overall, I think it is okay, but overpriced based on the lack of competition. This is made by a different manufacturer. |
| Pergo Select Planks & Tiles |
| Color and Design | | 4 |
| Warranty | | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | | 4 |
| Durability | | 4 |
| Customer Feedback | | 4 |
| Professional Feedback | | 4 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 3 |
| Uniqueness | | 3 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 37 |
| As far as I know, Pergo still actually makes this floor. I am not a hundred percent positive at this point because things keep changing. However, the floor itself has been a hit from the beginning. It has a better wear surface in terms of scratch resistance and overall durability than many of the competitors, including Pergo Signature and other Pergo styles at big box stores. It has a simple locking system and a nice range of colors and styles. |
| Pergo Accolade |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 3 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 2 |
| Professional Feedback | | 2 |
| Moisture & Core | | 2 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 2 |
| Uniqueness | | 2 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 25 |
| Pergo Accolade is made by a major North American manufacturer (not Pergo) and is a solid middle player in terms of quality and patterns. This is a standard laminate floor offering, so nothing super special. |
| Pergo Paradigm |
| Color and Design | | 3 |
| Warranty | | 3 |
| Ease of Installation | | 2 |
| Durability | | 3 |
| Customer Feedback | | 3 |
| Professional Feedback | | 3 |
| Moisture & Core | | 4 |
| Price-to-Value Ratio | | 4 |
| Uniqueness | | 5 |
| Brand Reliability | | 3 |
| Total | 33 |
| Innovation used to be part of the way things worked at Pergo so it is not surprising to see Paradigm, which is a VERY unique product. Pergo was too slow to get rid of the glue only method and instead criticized click floors. But ultimately they switched to a click system. In the past, Pergo was too slow to eliminate their chipboard core material rather than switch to the now standard HDF (which, again, they ultimately made the change to). Now I wonder if Pergo will turn the tables on the competition using this hybrid of a click and a glue. The Paradigm is a one-of-a-kind “pre-glue” and click floor. Basically, you use a bottle of water that is the activator for the already applied glue on the T&G. Then, you click the floor together like other glueless applications. Pergo claims a much greater tensile strength and sealing performance as a result of this very innovative technique. Kudos to the team at Pergo for getting back on the innovation horse! Pergo’s new 4-in-1 transitions are also very innovative, combining the most commonly used pieces into one Transformer-like kit. Very cool. |
My final comments:
I hope you have found this work to be useful to you. My overall approach to consumer education is the basis for my company and our selling philosophy. I highly encourage you to consider using iFLOOR.com as a possible resource for your future flooring needs. Your ability to combine knowledge with low pricing is absolutely great for you. Your project will be a success because you have researched, planned and prepared wisely for it. I wish you the very best luck. Once you have purchased your new flooring, remember that area rugs are a great way to finish off the room, also available at iFLOOR.com.
If you would please bookmark this article and direct as many of your friends, family and co-workers to it, that would be a great favor to me and them! Friends don’t let friends go crazy while floor shopping.
Please direct any comments to articles@smoothcorp.com since I get too much spam as a result of publishing my email on the Internet. I do try to read and respond to every message I get. Thanks!
