Guide
For spreading personality around a room, the area rug has few rivals. What could be more elegant than an heirloom quality Oriental area rug atop a gleaming hardwood floor, or more charming than a handcrafted braided area rug on timeworn pine planks.
Today, hand or machine made pile rugs in graphic, contemporary designs are produced. Although those by 'name' designers and one-offs commissioned for hand-weavers are obviously expensive, cheaper massed produced versions can be very reasonable.
Laminate is a floor covering that appears similar to hardwood but is made with a plywood or medium density fiberboard core with a plastic laminate top layer. Laminate may be more durable than hardwood, but cannot be refinished like hardwood.
Laminate plank flooring is a multi-layer product fused together. Laminate flooring planks simulate wood grain with a photographic layer under a clear protective finish. It is usually easier to install and maintain than traditional hardwood flooring.
