Talking about steps...

...check out these awesome laminate decors:


Egger MegaFloor - Headwood



Egger Floorline - Metalica Bronze



Egger MegaFloor - Quartz Blackberry



Egger MegaFloor - Viking Oak


I know that there are many people out there with the thought that laminates are just a cheap imitation of wood. But you got to look at it from different sides:

Solid wood is high maintenance. The initial cost is great - material and installation - and you have to maintain it, so it has continual costs. Of course, if you have the finances to allow it and the will to do it - awesome! I love solid wood as much as the next person (probably more).



Laminates are low maintenance. The initial cost in comparison to solid wood varies. Depending on the grade of laminate that you purchase and its origin, the cost of the flooring will vary. I strongly suggest that one never purchases (or even lets the thought wonder across ones mind) an AC1 or AC2 floor.

AC# is the grading of a laminate. It is determined by its durability and stability. AC3 floors are ideal for residential application and AC4 for commercial applications.But remember, with everything, there are products out there that claim to be something that they aren't. As a rule of thumb, if it comes from China (whether it's cheap or not) don't expect it to last to long. Usually laminates out of Europe are more reputable. Of course, there are still those brands that ride on the "we're from Europe" ticket but aren't really that much better than the Chinese stuff.

I'm not gonna drop any names.

Anyway... enough of the lesson.



So laminates have a lot of conveniences: There are TONS of different decors. Decors that go beyond imitating wood. It's a designers dream. Laminates are easy to install (if it's a good product) and they are light. Lighter than wood, lighter than tiles. So (especially in Europe) laminates are used in place of these product because a lot of people live in blocks of flats - many floors up, which pose a problem when it come to getting heavy material onto site. Is this all making sense?



Another benefit to laminates is they come out as easily as they go in. If you are working on a space that will have a general makeover every few years, you can put in a laminate knowing that in a few years it's all coming out and be replaced.

Just look at your options: The "Quartz Blackberry" is a like a tile - only its not. And the "Metalica Bronze" is like rusty, industrial metal sheeting - only, you guessed it, its not.