Grab your axe and crank the amp to 11 because Laminate Flooring is ready to rock! Of course, by “rock” we mean “offer the look of natural stone.” You see, for decades laminate floors were designed to resemble only natural hardwoods. While it’s true that there are a lot of great hardwood-look laminates, the wood look doesn’t leave a lot of options for designers who’re jonesing for stone. Many homeowners and builders have sought out stone style in traditional materials, but the high cost and difficult installation has stopped them in their tracks. Luckily, manufacturers such as Shaw, Quick Step and Mowhawk now offer awesome laminate options in a variety of sleek stone styles. Let’s take a quick look at a few of these hard rocking laminate lines.
Shaw Majestic Vision Laminate
Shaw Majestic Vision makes a bold entrance onto the stone-look laminate stage. This luxury laminate draws its inspiration from quarried slate, and is designed to offer an eclectic irregular look with tiles of varying sizes forming a concise geometric pattern. Six distinct color shades travel the spectrum from pale and pearly to rich deep brown. Shaw uses the latest advancements in printing technology to accurately capture the subtle variations in color and texture that make natural stone so dramatic.
Another popular stone-look laminate is Quick Step Quadra. This stunning collection includes fourteen different stone shades from the dark and uniform look of Shale Barista Brown to the gossamer glow of light Luna. The Quadra collection is unique because of its highly detailed reproductions of the marbled look of quarried granite. The Indian Autumn shade is a particularly striking take on this naturally marbled look.
Quick Step Quadra Laminate
Mowhawk Grenada is an excellent choice for designers in search of a sleek, modern look. The earthy hues and minimal variation create a very contemporary vibe, almost industrial chic. With four simple and sophisticated shades, the Grenada collection is excels in either the home or the office. It’s durable enough for commercial use, but stylish enough for use in the living area or kitchen at home.
In general, laminate flooring is highly resistant to furniture indentations, scuff-marks and liquid damage. In this sense, it’s a durable alternative to natural stone. Most laminates feature interlocking tongue and groove systems which improve stability and make installation relatively simple. In most instances, laminate flooring can “float” on top of an existing floor without being permanently attached. But if a more permanent installation is desired, special water-resistant glue can be applied between each tongue and groove to hold the planks together and keep moisture out. This easy installation and improved durability makes laminates a natural choice for do-it-yourselfers. Plus, the economical price points increase the appeal. And now that all the benefits are available in a wide variety of natural stone looks, there are even more reasons to love laminates.
Mohawk Grenada Laminate
Sleek stone style steps on the stage in a rocking new way with these cool new laminate flooring collections. If you get a chance, stop by a local flooring retailer and take a look at the natural stone styles available. Then, if you have any questions, feel free to call a flooring expert at (866) 705-1340, to get answers fast. Thanks for reading, and rock on flooring fans!
November 2, 2011
Flooring Products