No longer is high technology just a futuristic image of flying cars in a “Jetsons” cartoon or a fanciful idea of what the future might be like. Today, it is an ubiquitous and practical part of our everyday lives. The New Year came and went, and here we are at the end of the year 2000, our visions of the future are staring right back us. The flooring industry itself has been elevated to a level of modern craftsmanship that would’ve been considered impossible just a decade ago.
Nowhere is the refined and striking nature of this craftsmanship more evident than in custom laminate floor installations. Laminate floors offer the look of natural stone, ceramic tile, wood, concrete ― - virtually any surface imaginable.
Contemporary custom installations frequently combine and contrast the looks of dissimilar flooring materials within the laminate format. It is not uncommon, for instance, to find one-of-a-kind laminate floor installations that juxtapose natural stone or ceramic looks with rich wood grains.
In addition to its renowned ease of maintenance, laminate floors ― which utilize the “floating” method of installation ― can be placed in environments and over substrates that might be deemed unsuitable for many of the flooring materials they so closely emulate in appearance. As a result, you’ll increasingly find laminate in traditionally “wet areas” of the home or laid over potentially problematic surfaces such as on-grade concrete slabs.
You’ll also find the product in foyers, covering curved steps, and providing a seamless look that leads from one room to another. Also, laminate is available in a variety of formats ― including planks, blocks and tiles with interchangeable widths ― that make customization easier than ever.
No longer fettered by the technical and aesthetic limitations of yesteryear, today’s interior designers, contractors and floor covering installers are seizing the tools of technology and using laminate much like an artist splashes color and pattern across a canvas. Custom laminate installation is no longer just an idea or a buzzword, but a versatile and successful component of the floor covering industry.
