Choosing a Flooring Manufacturer
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing a floor: material, budget, maintenance, installation, your lifestyle and your décor theme. But few people think of choosing their flooring manufacturers. No matter how much flooring information you have, nothing beats a good manufacturer when it comes to getting your money’s worth. Think about it: you can get a good floor for a good price, but if it breaks down or stains, you’ll need to get back in touch with the company—and if they’re not reliable, it could cost you a lot more.
So what makes a good flooring manufacturer? For one thing, you want a company that’s been in the business for a long time. This proves that they’ve built a solid reputation, and that customers have had time to test the quality of their floors. It also helps if they’re based in your area, so you can contact them any time you need to. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and get first-hand feedback from previous clients. To help you get started, here’s a list of well-known flooring manufacturers and what they have to offer.
Alloc Laminate Flooring
Alloc Flooring was established in 1952 and has since built a solid reputation for making top-quality floors for both commercial and residential use. Among industry followers, the company is best known for pioneering the click-and-lock mechanism used in many of today’s laminate floors. This system allows beginners and DIY enthusiasts to install their own flooring rather than pay for professional services. This lets homeowners cut down on flooring expenses and get better control of their flooring finish.
In recent years, Alloc has also been recognized for its eco-friendly production. All Alloc laminate floors are made from recycled or sustainable materials. The planks are protected with a specially formulated finish that doesn’t release harmful chemicals into the air, making it safe for pets and kids. This has earned it several awards and certifications, including the ISO 14001 Certification for meeting international environment standards. It has also been praised by "green" groups such as the Forest Stewardship Council and SmartWood Certified Forestry.
Anderson Hardwood Flooring
If you don’t like synthetics or simply like the feel of real wood, Anderson Flooring may be your best bet. Although it was first known for making parquet floors, Anderson is now practically synonymous with top-quality hardwood flooring. The company is openly opposed to laminate flooring and uses only genuine hardwood in all its products. Anderson floors are naturally more expensive, but if you’re looking for unmatched quality and elegance, it’s certainly worth your money.
To accommodate homeowners on a budget, Anderson also offers engineered wood flooring as an alternative. Unlike solid wood, engineered wood planks are made with several layers of cheap wood with a hardwood top layer. This creates the exact look of solid wood without the added cost, and offers extra flexibility to prevent seasonal cracking and warping. Anderson’s engineered wood is also a popular choice for people who want to use exotic woods but cannot get them in solid planks.
Barlinek Flooring
Named after the Polish town where it was established, Barlinek has made a good name for itself around Europe and has recently started expanding to North America. The company offers a wider range of options than Alloc and Anderson, with products ranging from mosaic tiles and parquet flooring to traditional solid wood planks. Most of its floors feature a "barclick" locking mechanism, a DIY-friendly system which has become fairly standard in European homes.
Although residential floors remain its specialty, barlinek has also rolled out a few commercial flooring lines. One of the most popular is Barkiet Sport, a type of laminate designed specifically for high-impact use. Unlike most laminate floors, these floors have a flexible backing that helps them absorb the heavy footfalls and high traffic common in sports halls. Not surprisingly, it’s also become popular among homeowners, especially since they can choose the top wood layers. Some of the most common finishes are oak, beech, and sycamore.
Meyer Flooring
Meyer Laminate Flooring is best known among kitchen design enthusiasts, as it offers kitchen fixtures like door fronts, cabinets and counters to match is flooring. But precisely because it’s made for the kitchen—one of the busiest areas of the home—designers recommend Meyer for the rest of the home as well. Meyer floors work especially well for living rooms, basements, children’s rooms, and other areas that get moderate to high foot traffic. Some have also recommended them for home offices and small commercial establishments.
Strict manufacturing controls help maintain the standard of quality in Meyer’s laminate floors. Before being put on the shelves, the floors are tested against rigorous conditions to make sure they’re up to the challenge. They also offer a wide-plank design starting at 7.5 inches wide, which creates a smoother finish and helps them better absorb everyday pressure.
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