Laminate flooring - the smartest budget upgrade in your home

Modern laminate has come a long way from the plasticky click-floor of 15 years ago. Today's AC4 and AC5 laminate uses high-resolution printed wear layers, beveled micro-edges, and embossed-in-register textures that read as genuine hardwood from across the room. Burke Flooring stocks European-made laminate from Krono, Egger, and Quick-Step for the Greater Columbus Area homes that want a wood look at roughly half the installed cost.

Laminate makes the most sense when you want that wood look but need a tougher surface underneath it - rental properties, busy family rooms, hallways, kids' bedrooms, and basement bonus rooms all fit the bill.

Laminate is a floating floor, so if the subfloor isn't prepped flat and the expansion gaps aren't right, it will telegraph every flaw and peak at the seams. We laser-level every floor before installing, use 3-in-1 underlayment with a vapor barrier over concrete, and leave the proper 1/4" perimeter gap concealed neatly behind baseboard or quarter-round.

Every laminate install includes on-site acclimation (48 hours before we start), end-joint staggering for added strength, and color-matched transitions into adjacent rooms - all backed by our one-year installation guarantee. Want it on your stairs too? See our [laminate stairs](/laminate-stairs) page or [get a free estimate](/free-estimate).