If you're considering installing laminate flooring in your home here are some points to help with your decision.

1. It's durable.
   Warranties are typically anywhere from 10 to 20 years, telling you that the manufacturers have plenty of confidence in their product.
   
2. It looks clean and it's easy to keep clean.
   A slightly damp cloth applied with a microfiber mop-head does the trick just fine.
   
3. It's family and pet-friendly.
   I've watched our grandchildren chase dogs, cats and toys across laminate flooring for the past two years with barely a scratch.
   The floor still looks brand new and it's at least 5 years old.
   
4. It's beautiful.
   Laminate flooring finishes are so good they're barely distinguishable from hardwood--and they come in such variety that you can achieve any look you want.
   
5. It's affordable--usually two-thirds the price of installed hardwood and much less if you decide to do it yourself.
   

Thinking of laying laminate yourself? If so, you might look into the video Installing Laminate Flooring for pointers--three experts demonstrate two ways to approach an installation in the same basic space.
When making your laminate purchase choose a product with good brand recognition.
As the saying goes, cheapest is not always best--and often far from it.
One installer I know was called in to rescue a friend who had purchased bargain basement laminate for well under $1.
00/sq.
ft.
and even he wasn't able to lay it properly.
So don't handicap yourself or your installer with poor quality working materials--you'll end up paying for it in the long run.