Offering the beautiful, true look of real wood, tile or stone at an often substantially lower cost, easy care laminates have emerged as one of today's hottest and most versatile flooring options.

Laminate flooring is actually a four-layer sandwich constructed of a protective wear layer over a decorative sheet containing the pattern, which is supported by a rigid core and a bottom balancing layer to help prevent warping. The result is one tough flooring that resists fading, stains, scratches and moisture. In fact, laminates frequently outlast real hardwood, tile or stone floors.

Simple and easy to maintain, laminates are an excellent choice for high traffic areas like hallways and family rooms, plus moisture areas such as kitchens and baths.

Look under Recommendations for the best laminate choices for your home.