If you want a floor that looks like hardwood but doesn’t cost as much, laminate flooring is an excellent choice. It’s available in a wide range of colors, wood types and finishes, and can be easily installed by floating it over an underlay. There are many factors to consider, though, when selecting a laminate floor. This article will help you choose the right one for your home.

There are four main layers that make up a laminate floor: an aggregated wood core, a high-resolution image layer (often called the ‘wear’ layer), a melamine backing, and a durable plastic sheet. The top of the wear layer features a photorealistic image of wood or stone, and the base of the laminate is made from pressed chipped wood particles. The melamine backing provides strength and moisture resistance.

The most important factor to consider is how well a laminate will hold up to your lifestyle. If you have children, pets or a hectic household, choose a durable laminate floor that will resist scratching and staining, as well as fading from sunlight. If you have a more refined aesthetic, on the other hand, choose a smoother, higher-gloss option that will reflect light and hide marks more effectively.

Another important consideration is the environmental impact of your new laminate floor. While many brands now promote their products as being “environmentally friendly” and made from recycled materials, it’s still best to avoid anything with a ‘backside’ that will leach into the environment and pollute groundwater, especially if you live in an area with a lot of rainfall.

Laminate floors are relatively easy to install, as they are typically laid as a floating floor over a foam underlay. Most modern laminate floors have a click-lock design that makes them quick and simple to fit together. Each board has a grooved edge that fits into a tongue-shaped hole in the adjoining piece. Some manufacturers even cover the grooved and tongued edges with dry adhesive that you dampen before clicking the boards together to add extra strength and security.

One of the downsides to this system is that if a laminate floor gets badly scratched or dented, you cannot sand it back and refinish it as you can with hardwood floors. Choosing a good quality, high-resolution laminate will minimize the chances of this happening, but it’s always worth checking the manufacturer’s warranty before buying.

Laminate is available from many of the country’s biggest home centers and online retailers. LL Flooring, for example, has more than 400 locations and an extensive library of virtual how-to clinics that can help you save by installing your new floor yourself. The Home Depot is another good bet, as the US’s biggest home center also offers installation service and carries a range of reputable laminate floors that performed well in our tests.