Fabulous Floors Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 26

on the boards | BY SETH S. RODGERS Living on Laminate Talk about new tastes for the Summer! L aminate has become as fashionable as the trendiest New York or Los Angeles eatery. That’s because manufacturers and colorists are pushing the envelope with advancements in technology and structure. No longer just a hard-wearing, low-cost substitute for wood or stone, there’s a laminate for every taste, including many with real materials infused into the decor layer. Today’s laminate designs, finishes and larger formats, together with improved noise and moisture control, means a designer, architect, builder or home decorator can dish up an inspired decor. Warm, traditional or exotic wood looks, textured stone, the evocative glow of tile or revolutionary multi-dimensional effects, laminate is about styling, versatility, quality and attention to detail. Today’s laminate has eclipsed the old notion that this is cheap alternative to higher end flooring. In the flooring industry, it is a distinct category all its own, with a long list of individual characteristics customers demand: Breath-taking beauty, versatility, low price, ease of installation, moisture and mold resistance, sound insulation, a tough wear surface, and infinite design possibilities. >> 24 FABULOUSfloors