What laminate is
A laminate plank is a printed wood design under a hard, clear wear layer, pressed onto a core of high-density fiberboard (HDF) made from wood fiber. It is not vinyl and it is not solid wood. Mannington's Restoration Collection laminate is 12 mm thick, with an aluminum oxide wear layer, ScratchResist, and texture embossed in register so the surface follows the printed grain.
The facts behind it
Mannington states that its laminate floors are made with over 70% post-industrial recycled content, install without glues or adhesives, and are FloorScore certified for indoor emissions and NALFA certified. Each pattern we carry lists recycled content on its product sheet and is made in Vietnam. Our flooring certifications guide explains what FloorScore tests.
What "waterproof" means for laminate
Mannington rates the Restoration Collection waterproof with its SpillShield Plus technology and markets it for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and mudrooms. The core is still wood fiber rather than a waterproof core, so standing water should be dried and the warranty terms followed. Where a floor could sit in water, such as a basement that has flooded before, we recommend a waterproof core from our luxury vinyl or PVC-free ranges.
The patterns we carry
Anthology blends oak, hickory and maple. Atlas, the newest, is a hickory look on a 59 1/2 inch plank. Haven is a calm European white oak with a fade and stain resistance claim. Hillside Hickory is rustic and approved for walls, and Historic Oak is a reclaimed oak look at a traditional 6 3/8 inch width.
Installation
Laminate floats with no glue, so the subfloor has to be flat and dry. We check both before quoting and fix what needs fixing; see subfloor preparation and how we install green flooring.
Common questions
Is laminate better than luxury vinyl?
Neither is better overall. Laminate is built on a wood fiber core and is not vinyl; luxury vinyl has a waterproof core and contains PVC. For dry rooms and kitchens with ordinary spills, laminate is a reasonable choice; for a room that could flood, choose a waterproof core.
Can laminate go in a basement?
Mannington markets Restoration laminate for basements. We test the slab for moisture first, and if the basement has taken on water before, we recommend a floor with a waterproof core instead.
