Compared with other types of flooring, laminate offers a number of distinct advantages. Salespeople can use the following selling points in their presentations to consumers. Of course, understanding their lifestyle needs is an important first step.

1. Laminate flooring is durable. Protected by a tough external layer and resin coating, laminate is just as strong or stronger, scratch-resistant and longer-lasting than any hardwood, vinyl or carpet.

2. Laminate flooring is easy to install. Not only are most laminate sections smaller, designed to interlock and easier to work with, but laminate can also be installed over most non-textile existing floors. In this “floating floor” method of installation, laminate is laid or “floated” over the existing floor without being glued to the surface. This saves considerable time and installation cost. Additionally, the introduction of glueless laminates further revolutionized ease of installation in the flooring industry. Today, nearly all residential laminate flooring is glueless.

3. Laminate flooring is economical. Not only is laminate generally less expensive to start with, but when its durability and longevity are considered it becomes a particularly economical choice.

4. Laminate flooring offers a variety of styles. Originally, most laminate floors replicated only the most in-demand wood floors. As laminate grew in popularity, however, other looks were introduced, including highly realistic stone and marble. Designs are limited only by the imaginations of the producers.

5. Laminate flooring is stain, fade and moisture resistant. Most laminate flooring manufacturers offer extensive warranty protection against stains, fading and moisture damage. Nearly all other types of flooring cannot offer this triple protection.

6. Laminate flooring is easy to clean and maintain. Laminate’s wear and moisture-resistant surface coating make spills and other messes easy to deal with.

7. Laminate flooring is environmentally friendly. Since it is made from paper, laminate’s manufacture does not involve the harvesting of old-growth hardwoods as does that of wood flooring. Laminate also contains no elements that affect indoor air quality. And many components of laminate are made with recycled content. Finally, when a laminate floor is easily replaced, it can be destroyed with no danger to the environment.