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© Djenan

Consumer Reports has tested various types of flooring, including laminate wood flooring, to see which holds up best to a variety of abuses. For example, the testers applied 18 different staining substances like nail polish, crayon and mustard and let them dry overnight. In this particular test, the new Cliks ceramic floor tiles came out on top of all the other flooring types.

However, the tiles underperformed other flooring types on the so-called "drop test", where a heavy object is dropped on the flooring. With the wood and laminate flooring it caused a dent, but the damage was less severe. After all the tests were completed, the most durable flooring turned out to be the inexpensive Surface Source plastic laminate flooring, which sells for just $1 a square foot. Prefinished solid-wood flooring also rated highly and sells for around $6 a square foot.

© Daniel Livingstone

Lumber Liquidators is known for being the top source for laminate wood flooring, and this reputation has been boosting revenues at the US retailer. Shares of the company rose after it was upgraded by an analyst on grounds that the company is gaining market share. In spite of a housing market in the US that continues to be difficult, Lumber Liquidators has grown its business throughout the recession.

It specializes in both real wood and laminate flooring and this focus has allowed it to become more influential and take business from the more generalized home repair shops like Home Depot. It actually competes on a more direct basis with the smaller shops and independent flooring companies . Because these small shops can't carry as much inventory, Lumber Liquidators is able to offer consumers more choice and lower prices.

© NancyHugoCKD.com

A very common question regarding wood flooring is about the differences between laminate wood flooring and real wood flooring. There are pros and cons to both, so to determine which is the best solution you have to consider factors like durability and value.

Laminate resembles wood flooring in appearance, but it is really a fiber board that is topped with a very durable wood-like finish. It is a good imitation of wood and there are many finishes to choose from like matte, embossed or smooth. The embossed style will provide the most wood-like look and feel. You can purchase laminate flooring in narrow strips of large planks, and the quality of the laminate depends on the price and the manufacturer. In general the price will range between $1.79 to $1.99 per square foot, but some cheaper laminate can be as low as $.79 per square foot.