Laminate for LIFE flooring from Carpet One has some very desirable features wrapped up in a beautiful premium product. But is it worth the hefty price tag?
Here, we will look at some of the pros and cons of this exclusive flooring brand. Those include a head-turning warranty, easy DIY option, and why you can install this flooring in places other laminates can’t go.
The best case scenario is that we only need to choose new flooring once or twice in a lifetime. We can only hope it’s once, because anyone who has shopped for flooring before knows that picking colors is hard.
Laminate for LIFE seeks to eliminate this hassle by guaranteeing their products, you guessed it — for life.
Appearance
Laminate for LIFE offers an impressive color range in a variety of wood species patterns and finish textures.
The majority of those are oak, maple and hickory patterns. They all have a character-grade look that emphasizes knots and sawn-face grain.
There are also several heavily antiqued styles. In addition, there are a few reclaimed looks with faux multi-width planks.
The finish textures available include wire-brushed, hand scraped, and antiqued. While the texture is true embossed-in-register, it won’t impede daily laminate cleaning or collect dirt.
The color palette here is very fashion-forward and trendy. These styles would suit modern, farmhouse, coastal, and contemporary décor. If you are after classic styles, you may have to look elsewhere.
It’s important to note that product and color availability varies by store. It would be a good idea to contact your local Carpet One franchise. There, you can get more information on availability as well as view samples in person.
It can be very helpful to take the time to see a sample up close and personal. Photos on the internet rarely do the colors justice. Buyers remorse for flooring is not only disappointing but can also be very expensive.
Construction and Durability
Laminate for LIFE collections feature 8mm and 10mm plank thickness options at 6”, 7”, and 9” plank widths. Depending on the style, the edges are either beveled or eased for a tight fit. The planks have a coating of a strong aluminum oxide finish.
Perhaps one drawback is that this product does not have an attached pad. While this is a major time saver when it comes to installation, not having the attached pad allows for more flexibility in your budget when it comes to underlayment selection.
Most Carpet One locations stock three types of laminate underlayment marked as “good, better, and best.”
The “good” grade pad is a basic 2-in-1 2mm foam underlayment that provides air cushion and sound dampening. The better pad is a 2mm 3-in-1 foam underlayment that also acts as a moisture barrier. Finally, the best pad is a closed-cell rubber underlayment that does all the above as well as provides superior sound dampening performance.
A quality pad can make or break your laminate installation. In this case, it would be somewhat foolish to put the cheapest pad under a mid- to high-quality laminate such as Laminate for LIFE. The highest-quality grades are the “better” and “best” grades.
In addition, Carpet One offers their proprietary “Titanium” and “Platinum” level warranties on their Laminate for LIFE products. These impressive warranty packages include all the basics such as warranty against delamination and general product failure as well as a couple unique warranty features.
These enhanced warranties include “The Beautiful Guarantee.” So, if you don’t love your floor, the guarantee covers the cost to replace your flooring product and associated labor costs to do so. It’s important to note that this is limited to one claim per customer and has other exclusions listed in the fine print.
Laminate for LIFE also has a water-resistant collection that is warrantied for use in kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. This also makes it a fantastic option if you are looking for a floor that can stand up to your kids and pets.
Overall, Laminate for LIFE is a very durable product. You can expect excellent performance for years to come.
Ease of Installation
Laminate flooring, in general, is very easy to install. The floating click-and-lock system make installing your new floor a breeze. It’s a great beginner DIY homeowner project and professionals love it as well.
Laminate for LIFE products feature a simple drop-and-lock system that is faster and easier to install than the angle-tap types. This means less broken tabs and wasted material, and not taking out your frustration on your floor with a pull bar and tapping block.
While you will only need minimal tools for this installation, it’s helpful to have a power saw that is large enough to make cuts the width and length of the flooring.
Also, remember to budget some extra time for your installation as this product does not have an attached pad.
Cost
Typically, laminates are one of the more affordable hard surface options you can buy. Laminate prices range widely on the very low end $1 per square foot all the way up to $8 for a luxury model.
Only available for purchase at a Carpet One retailer, Laminate for LIFE comes in at the mid- to high-end of this range at $4 to $7 per square foot with pad not included. The rolls of pad range from $45-$65 per 100 square-foot roll and quality is the basis for prices.
Please note that Carpet One is franchised, so these prices may vary depending on your area.
Since installation of laminate is simple, the cost for labor to install it won’t break the bank either. You can expect to pay anywhere from $2.50-$4 per square foot which doesn’t include things like removal of your old floor, baseboards, furniture moving, or additional subfloor prep.
To maintain the great warranty on this product, it’s important that your installer reads the fine print and follows the manufacturer’s installation guide to the letter. Any deviation could potentially cause your floor to fail and void your warranty.
The Verdict
It’s hard to go wrong with a floor that is as beautiful as it is durable, easy to install for a pro or DIYer, and has a few water-resistant styles which are ideal for homes with kids and pets.
The lack of attached pad gives you more flexibility in your budget for sundries, but this does create an added installation step.
Overall, Laminate for LIFE is a high-quality product that would be a great choice for your “forever home.” That is, if you survive the sticker shock, especially on a large project. However, if you are looking to fix up your home and sell it, you may want to consider a more budget-friendly option.
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