Project53

I'm going to put down some Laminate flooring in some rehab houses. About 600sqft. per. There seems to be a dozen or more brands out there besides Pergo. Artisan, Westhollow, Shaw...etc: I'm going with the locking at 10.3mm...which really seems to be 8.3mm with a 2mm pad on it. Any brands that seem to have consitant quality, less noise when down...better overall product?????

PrecisionFloors

Wilsonart, Quickstep, Pergo Select, to name a few.
Here is a good article about this subject.

http://www.ifloor.com/articles/lam/lamwars2.html

FYI higher grade laminates do not come with the pad already attached. Quality wise you would be better off to go with a nice dense pad like Hushstep or Quiet Walk.

__________________
Precision Flooring
Hampton, VA (757) 256-0848
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilients
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Project53

MMMM, I thought the better quility came "with" the pad...OK
So I guess I need to look at Min of 8mm or higher with NO pad. I "assume"...that the locking type are better quality, then the glue together types?
I just don't know much about Laminate floors. I've never used them, only hardwood. To be honest they all look pretty cheezy to me compared to real wood, But thats whats selling is these priced houses, so I have to get educated real quick....LOL

PrecisionFloors

Not necessarily. Depends on the product. Overall a glued joint will be stronger and less susceptible to water damage, however..... Not many products on the market are actually designed to be glued. Those that aren't do not really have enough room in the joint for the glue. The joint will swell and each plank becomes picture framed.

The absolute best on the market, imo, is Wilsonart Red Label glued together with their Blue Fusion adhesive. It is warranted in a commercial wet area, if installed properely. I installed about 800 ft in a golf course clubhouse's dance hall/buffet area recently and it turned out flawless and has held up very well to spills and abrasion.

__________________
Precision Flooring
Hampton, VA (757) 256-0848
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilients
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Project53

Well the site you gave me said Westhollow Classic was a very good deal and good quality. To be honest with you this stuff ALL looks like junk to me, but this is a budget rehab, and LAM sells them...so thats what I'm doing....if I have to pay anywere close to $3 a square...for fake stuff. I'll bite the bullit and put in real 3/4 hardwood.

ron schenker

That's the best plan in my opinion

__________________
98% of us will die at some point in our lives