Armstrong 'Grand Illusions' Laminate - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

TopFloor · 10-16-2009, 03:33 AM

I had not installed this product before this week. I was suprised by the high gloss 'finish'- more than most real wood products- and the stout composition of the 1/2-inch core. This product was really nice to work with. The extra weight behind each plank is nice, seating perfectly, each board to the next with a low *click*.

The sheen could spell trouble for certain homes, with every sweaty thumbprint sticking out like a... sore... thumbprint? In this case, the home of a woman in her 70s who lives alone, and who uses a cane to get about, is the ideal environment.

Anyone else installed this one? I know its not 'new', just new to me.

Mike Costello · 10-17-2009, 10:35 AM

Ive put a few of those in. This floor makes you be a cleaning freak as you work but man is it glossy and sharp when its done.

till someone walks acoss with bare feet

It made my Magnum cutter work, its a pretty hearty thickness

soxfan · 10-19-2009, 04:27 PM

Maybe 10 jobs or so here. Good stuff. It looks real nice and you can leave the tapping block in the tool box.

TopFloor · 10-19-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Costello

...It made my Magnum cutter work, its a pretty hearty thickness

I have a much cheaper cutter. As you could imagine, the handle started to bend before I could cut throught these planks.

TopFloor · 10-19-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxfan

...you can leave the tapping block in the tool box.

And isnt that sweet!

**Floorwizard** · 10-23-2009, 09:43 PM

Grand illusins is just the beginning. High gloss is back in laminates.
I wonder how long before Vinyl follow suit.

rayh78 · 10-23-2009, 11:10 PM

I dont see any advantage in a thicker material. Not like you will sand it down and refinish laminate.
What am I missing?

TopFloor · 10-24-2009, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayh78

I dont see any advantage in a thicker material...

I can say that the weight of it seemed to make a difference in how it felt... more solid to walk on. Actually, felt like it was glued down.

Mike Costello · 10-24-2009, 05:10 AM

Density is better for sound and it just feels more substantial when you walk on it