Gone are the days when laminate flooring was considered a compromise between aesthetics and practicality. Today's laminate flooring represents a revolution in home design, offering homeowners the perfect blend of durability, style, and environmental responsibility.

Modern laminate flooring achieves its remarkable performance through an innovative four-layer construction. A protective back layer provides crucial moisture resistance, while a robust fiberboard core delivers outstanding impact resistance. The decorative layer captures the authentic look of natural materials, and the wear layer, featuring aluminum oxide and melamine, ensures long-lasting durability.

“The outlook for laminate is very positive, especially as homeowners come to understand just how high-end and high-performing today’s laminate products have become,” said Doug Jackson, president of Cali. “It’s on us as the brand and experts to help them see what a beautiful solution it now offers.”

The latest breakthrough in laminate technology is the introduction of waterproof options. This innovation addresses what was historically considered laminate's primary limitation, making it suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and other moisture-prone areas where traditional laminates weren't recommended.

For budget-conscious homeowners, laminate flooring presents compelling value. Beyond the initial cost savings compared to hardwood or stone, laminate's durability and easy maintenance translate to lower long-term ownership costs. 

Today's families particularly appreciate laminate flooring's comprehensive practical advantages. The material offers superior resistance to pets' claws and daily wear, while providing excellent stain and fade resistance. Simple cleaning requirements and allergen resistance due to its non-porous surface make it ideal for busy households. Its design and application versatility ensures it meets diverse home styling needs.

Modern manufacturing techniques have dramatically improved laminate's aesthetic appeal. Homeowners can now choose from authentic wood grain patterns and natural stone looks to contemporary tile designs. Custom textures and finishes, combined with various plank widths, allow for different visual effects that can transform any space.

“Modern advancements in laminate technology allow for an impressive range of designs and textures, closely mimicking the aesthetic of real wood or stone tile, as is the case with CALI’s Mavericks, Pacifica, and Shorebreak collections – all of which are also waterproof,” Jackson said. “This makes laminate an appealing option for those seeking a cost-effective but stylish transformation that also stands up to daily wear and tear.”

Mavericks laminate flooring features 100% waterproof wood-look planks in expanded sizes measuring 86-5/8” long x 9-7/16” wide make rooms feel larger. Photo: Cali

The "floating floor" installation method further reduces expenses by eliminating the need for specialized adhesives or fasteners.

When evaluating laminate quality, thickness plays a crucial role, with the optimal range falling between 6 and 12 millimeters. The AC (Abrasion Criteria) rating system helps homeowners choose the right durability level, with AC3 offering maximum durability for high-traffic home areas. Various width options can visually expand spaces, while finish varieties including embossed, smooth, or glossy surfaces allow for customized aesthetics.

Environmental consciousness is increasingly influencing home improvement decisions, and modern laminate flooring is rising to meet these expectations. The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) certification has become an important indicator of environmental responsibility.

NALFA-certified laminate flooring demonstrates environmental stewardship through its use of sustainable materials including wood chip fiberboard. These products offer full recyclability and eliminate air-damaging chemicals while complying with strict formaldehyde emissions standards. The certification ensures the flooring contributes to LEED certification for homes and requires no VOC-emitting adhesives or special cleaning products.

Mavericks laminate flooring features 100% waterproof wood-look planks in expanded sizes measuring 86-5/8” long x 9-7/16” wide make rooms feel larger. Photo: Cali

One of laminate's strongest selling points is its minimal maintenance requirements. Unlike hardwood floors that need periodic refinishing or carpet that requires deep cleaning, laminate floors maintain their appearance with simple regular cleaning. This makes them particularly attractive for busy families and pet owners.

As technology continues to advance, laminate flooring is expected to offer even more innovations. Manufacturers are focusing on enhancing waterproof technologies and developing more sophisticated surface textures. Improvements in environmental sustainability continue alongside advances in sound-dampening features and durability for high-traffic areas.

Pergo is returning to its Scandinavian design roots with a comprehensive brand refresh aimed at reaching new consumers while honoring its innovative heritage. "Pergo's brand refresh honors its longstanding legacy," says Nicole Priem, senior director of brand experience at Mohawk. "It all started with a groundbreaking idea – Idea No. 23. In 1977, this idea led to the creation of laminate flooring in Scandinavia, forever changing our industry. Now, Pergo is the most searched brand by consumers in flooring."

The refreshed Pergo Elements laminate line features strategically tiered collections, from the serene Scandinavian designs of Originals tier (Birkhall Landing and Aurora Falls) to the Preferred tier's four new collections blending classic European style with natural beauty. The premium Ultra tier introduces 22 products across three collections featuring new RealPlank technology, which minimizes pattern repeats with twice as many unique plank visuals as standard products.

Each Pergo Elements product includes an attached pad for increased comfort and improved sound reduction, plus a pet scratch warranty. "Our retail partners hold us accountable for the quality and reliability Pergo is known for," said David Moore, vice president of product management. "We refreshed Pergo Elements with collections that not only hit key retail price points but also provide innovative technology, stylish designs and trade-up opportunities."

Mannington’s Restorations laminate collection had been manufactured in High Point, North Carolina, for many years, but the company decided to offshore the manufacturing in order to make additional investments in design and construction, taking two sets of print films to create more visual differentiation from plank to plank. The result is Everest laminate, which will launch in the second half of 2025, featuring longer, wider planks and a natural color palette.

“We've been meeting with customers at CCA Global—I think this just took our laminate line holistically up a couple of notches," said Al Boulogne, vice president of residential product, Mannington. "We've got really good feedback." 

Mohawk Industries has announced a significant expansion of its RevWood laminate with the introduction of two new collections for 2025, reinforcing the company's position in the waterproof laminate market.

The new collections, Emberstone Ridge and Gardenia Lake, will join Mohawk's RevWood Select tier. Emberstone Ridge features six products showcasing contemporary oak visuals with honey naturals and creamy taupe colorways, characterized by tight grain patterns, sleek lines and medium-sized knots. The five-product Gardenia Lake collection offers subtle character with natural grain movement across a diverse color range, balancing contemporary design with relaxed styling.

"These new collections address growing consumer demand for durable, environmentally responsible flooring that doesn't compromise on aesthetics," said David Moore, Mohawk's vice president of product management.

The RevWood line continues to feature the company's three-tier structure: RevWood Select, RevWood Plus, and RevWood Premier. The Plus and Premier tiers serve as premium options featuring enhanced technology, including WetProtect for waterproofing with water-tight joints and Mohawk's proprietary waterproof finish, backed by a lifetime surface and subfloor warranty.

RevWood Premier showcases the company's Signature Technology, which incorporates up to 75 layers of textured details with four times the resolution and over 1,000 color variations compared to standard options.

In a significant industry achievement, the complete RevWood portfolio has become the first laminated wood flooring to receive the North American Laminate Flooring Association's (NALFA) Platinum Level LF-02 Sustainability Certification for its carbon-negative properties.

"Trees absorb carbon throughout their life, and then that carbon is stored in long-lasting products like RevWood," Moore explained. "By extending the lifecycle of previously harvested wood, we are able to avoid the need to harvest additional trees, keeping more carbon out of the atmosphere – making RevWood the perfect choice for eco-conscious consumers."

To support these product innovations, Mohawk is launching a new advertising campaign titled "An American Original" that celebrates American innovation. The company is providing retailers with refreshed marketing assets through the Mohawk Ad Center and Edge Local Advertising programs to drive consumer interest and in-store traffic. The campaign will also be featured on Edge Omnify Websites to enhance retailers' digital presence.

The new RevWood collections will be available to retailers starting next month.

AHF Products manufactures laminate flooring in several facilities in the United States, which will aid the retail supply chain as ocean freight and tariff issues on flooring imports continue, according to Milton Goodwin, vice president of AHF Products. 

Shaw Floors is reintroducing its laminate line with two new styles. Oak Crest and Oak Grove, boast a 30-year warranty against deep scratches, and are designed to look natural with an authentic wood texture and realistic variations in the plank visuals with plank repeats only occurring every 20 planks.

While laminate flooring presents numerous advantages, homeowners should consider certain limitations. The surface, while durable, cannot be refinished like hardwood. However, damaged sections can be easily replaced, and many manufacturers offer extensive warranties against wear, staining, and fading.

The evolution of laminate flooring represents a perfect alignment of homeowner needs and technological capability. By combining authentic appearances with practical benefits and environmental responsibility, modern laminate flooring has earned its place as a leading choice for today's homes. As manufacturing techniques continue to advance, laminate flooring is poised to offer even more impressive solutions for tomorrow's homeowners.