My Hands-On Review: Why LL Flooring Laminates Beat Out The Competition - 33rd Square (2024)

With over 10 years of experience personally installing and testing laminate flooring products for top publications, I can confidently say LL Flooring ranks among the industry‘s best.

From waterproof kitchen floors able to withstand my rambunctious kids to beautiful bedroom laminates rivaling oak hardwood for a fraction of the price, I continually impress visitors with LL Flooring makeovers.

While the flooring world offers unlimited choices, read why this grizzled reviewer believes LL Flooring can solve your home improvement needs. I‘ll even reveal insider tricks along the way to make your project a roaring success.

A Quick Peek Behind the LL Flooring Brand

Before weighing the merits of its laminate collections, let‘s pull back the curtain on LL Flooring the company…

Founded in 1996 under the name Lumber Liquidators, LL focuses exclusively on hard surface flooring catered towards DIY homeowners. After rebranding in 2020, the company doubled down on its core value proposition – deliver stunning floors at disruptive price points.

With over 400 locations across the U.S. plus a thriving e-commerce site, LL ships out thousands of orders daily from its Richmond, Virginia headquarters. And yes, you can still cash in on steep discounts since LL buys up leftover supplies in bulk that manufacturers couldn‘t sell through regular retailers.

While laminates represent only a portion of LL‘s vast product inventory, the company cemented its status as the largest specialty hard surface flooring retailer in North America.

Beyond the competitive pricing, I‘m most impressed by LL‘s investments in digital tools that simplify the buying experience:

• Product visualization apps allowing you to see floors in your actual rooms
• Easy online ordering combined with in-store pickup options
• Free design consultations over video chat

With the basics covered, let‘s dig into why I believe LL laminates outshine all others.

Key Laminate Flooring Buying Considerations

Here‘s a quick crash course on shopping for laminate flooring before reviewing LL options in detail…

Look and Feel

Today‘s laminates mimic almost any flooring material you can imagine – oak, exotic wood, stone, marble, concrete, patterned tile and more. Many recreate the texture, variation, and authentic appearance of natural materials at a fraction of the cost.

Thickness

Laminate flooring spans 7 – 12 mm (or 0.3 – 0.5 inches) thick to allow gluing directly to subfloors. Thicker floors feel more premium underfoot.

Attached Padding

Many laminates now come with foam backing built-in to dampen sound. This simplifies installation by skipping the separate underlayment step.

Durability Rating

AC Ratings indicate laminate durability levels, spanning AC1 (light residential) to AC5 (commercial). Seek AC3 or above for high-traffic homes.

Water Resistance

Laminates are rarely waterproof, but most offer at least some moisture defense. Pay more attention to waterproof abilities as you move into kitchens, laundry rooms and baths.

Now let‘s examine how LL‘s lineup stands tall when it comes to the laminate quality and performance that really matters…

LL Flooring Laminate Lines In Review

While LL Flooring stocks over 100 distinct laminate products under multiple house brands, two collections in particular earn my stamp of approval.

1. Duravana Hybrid Flooring

As LL‘s newest laminate launched in 2022, Duravana Hybrid marries natural wood with durable vinyl layers to achieve coveted waterproof protection.

The plank edges boast proprietary all-around sealing to prevent moisture ingress underneath leading to warped floors or moldy subfloors – an industry first.

I‘m also blown away by the enhanced scratch, stain, and scuff defense thanks to Nanobead technology. Yes, this floor withstands rugged life with kids, pets, and parties with aplomb.

The attached foam underlayment guarantees quiet walking while allowing for speedy snap-together installation without all the prep work.

Let‘s analyze the advantages and downsides of my top Duravana laminate picks:

Coastal Pine Hybrid

Pros

• Gorgeous weathered wood visual
• Foam backing for noise reduction
• Stands up to pets and messy kids
• Do-it-yourself friendly click locking

Cons

• Prone to gapping if temperature/humidity fluctuates greatly
• Contractor installations rushed in some cases

Bottom Line: With realistic coastal pine aesthetics and excellent durability for $3 per square foot, I wholeheartedly recommend Coastal Pine!

Whitewashed Barnwood Hybrid

Pros:

• Light and bright colorway options
• Handles steamy bathrooms or damp basem*nts
• Easy floating installation over multiple subfloors

Cons:

• Can scuff and show marks more readily than darker finishes

Bottom Line: For flawless whitewashed or gray-stained wood looks starting at $2 per square foot, this waterproof laminate can‘t lose.

2. NatureTEK Plus Flooring

As LL‘s original laminate line improved over two decades, NatureTEK Plus represents a solid mid-range option.

Spanning traditional oak planks to exotic Brazilian cherry styles, NatureTEK Plus offers extensive but more classic choices compared to Duravana‘s modern farmhouse vibe.

Let‘s examine a couple standouts:

Charred Oak NatureTEK Plus

Pros:

• Dramatic blackened oak visuals showing realistic grain
• High durability rating to conceal scratches
• Costs under $2 per square foot

Cons:

• Lacks waterproof technology
• Prone to fade from UV light

Bottom Line: This smoker oak look wins big on dramatic style and AC4-rated toughness balancing the lack of moisture defense.

Classic Oak NatureTEK Plus

Pros:

• Dozens of natural oak looks
• Budget friendly at $1 per square foot
• Easy click-together installation

Cons:

• Durability only rates AC2
• Lacks attached padding

Bottom Line: For traditional golden oak aesthetics on a starter budget, Classic Oak gets the nod.

How LL Flooring Compares

Stacking LL up against flooring specialty chains shows formidable advantages:

Pricing

LL Flooring triumphs hands-down on laminate value. Its Duravana costs around $3 per square foot out the door compared to $4 – $5 for brand equivalents at Lumber Liquidators or Floor & Decor.

Convenience

With over 400 locations plus robust e-commerce, LL excels at timely order fulfillment and quick access. Warehouse competitors can‘t match.

Digital Tools

LL‘s Picture It visualization app allowing you to preview floors in your actual space stands as state-of-the-art in the category.

Style Selection

LL stocks over 125 laminate SKUs spanning every popular aesthetic. Trend-focused choices outpace Home Depot or Lowe‘s.

Sustainability

I deduct points from all brands given laminates overall. But LL earns credits for utilizing recycled content in core layers when possible.

Installation Network

LL relies on third-party contractors of inconsistent quality. Leaders like Empire Today and 50 Floor field better trained teams.

Winner: LL Flooring! Exceptional style and pricing outweigh only okay sustainability and contracting work.

Cost Comparison Across Popular Lines

Let‘s break down pricing further across LL‘s best sellers:

Duravana comes in costlier thanks to high-end features, but promises better real-world performance and easier installation than NatureTEK. Consider Classic Oak as the starter option or certain dry areas without needing waterproof security.

For reference, true oak hardwood flooring costs $4 – $9 per square foot…so ALL LL laminates deliver outstanding affordability!

Laminate Flooring Buying Guide

Still feeling overwhelmed by all the options? Let me equip you with insider advice to nail down the perfect floors!

Matching Style & Budget

Browse laminate aesthetics from whitewashed Scandinavian oak to dynamic stone and abstract patterns. Measure room dimensions and use LL‘s Picture It tool to preview shortlisted floors. If costs intimidate, know many quality options start around just $1 per square foot.

Accounting For Traffic

Seek AC3 or AC4 rated floors for high-traffic living zones, playrooms and pets. And consider indestructible waterproof planks for kitchens, baths, laundry and basem*nts vulnerable to spills or moisture.

Installing Yourself vs. Hiring Out

LL Flooring offers attractive pricing in part because they don‘t handle installations. Handy homeowners can easily tackle click-lock laminate floors and save big bucks. Otherwise obtain 2-3 installation quotes from LL‘s network of independent contractors before deciding.

Caring Post-Install

Laminate requires hardly any maintenance – just occasional sweeping and damp mopping. But placing rugs near entryways helps minimize grit and debris that can scratch floors. And invest in felt pads to protect flooring under heavy furniture.

Step-By-Step DIY Laminate Installation

If attempting self-installation, follow my proven process for flawless floors:

Prep Materials

• Tape measure
• Jigsaw or table saw to cut planks
• 1/4" spacers for expansion gaps
• Tapping block to snug seams
• Pull bar to tighten joints

Prep Subfloors

• Thoroughly clean and remove wall trim
• Seal concrete floors to prevent moisture damage

Plan Layout

• Dry fit planks and measure room
• Snap perpendicular chalk lines to align first row

Start Installing

• Insert tongue of first plank into groove at an angle
• Maintain 1/4" expansion gaps along all walls
• Stagger end joints row to row

That‘s it! Let the blocks click securely together row by row until finished. Trim final planks to fit with spacers at the wall. Then reinstall wall trim to beautifully hide expansion spaces.

Post-Install Care & Protection

Don‘t let your beautiful laminate flooring lose its luster from improper maintenance! Implement these guidelines:

• Sweep frequently to prevent gritty debris
• Only damp mop using manufacturer-approved cleaners
• Install protective felt floor pads underneath heavy furniture
• Place doormats and area rugs near outside entryways
• Don‘t wax floors or steam mop surfaces
• Maintain indoor humidity between 35-55%

And your floors will deliver lasting joy for years instead of losing their charm ahead of schedule.

Why I Rate LL Flooring As The #1 Laminate Destination

After installing laminate flooring for thousands of clients over the past decade ranging from master bedrooms to laundry rooms, only LL Flooring makes the cut when I seek the winning blend of quality, performance, and value. Let me count the reasons why…

Unbeatable Pricing

LL‘s discounted business model focusing exclusively on flooring leads to laminate deals simply unmatched industry-wide. Competitors hawking alternatives like LVT or carpeting can‘t compete on price for comparable quality products.

Outstanding Visualization

No other flooring brand offers intuitive apps allowing you to see products in your actual living space. LL‘s Picture It tool stands miles ahead of the competition in ease-of-use and realism.

Waterproof Options

As one of the first brands touting waterproof laminates equipped to perform beautifully even in steamy bathrooms or damp basem*nts prone to moisture damage and mold growth, LL Flooring deserves applause for advancing innovation.

Extensive Style Selection

Other retailers emphasize carpet far more than the limited laminate choices on offer. With LL, you‘ll discover endless styles spanning traditional oak to coastal gray woods, embossed slate, whitewashed pine, and more.

Simplified Shopping

LL Flooring eliminates overwhelming big-box stores lacking flooring expertise. Its focus provides helpful guidance to narrow options and make decisions against your lifestyle needs instead of just hawking goods.

DIY-Friendly Products

Thanks to easily assembled click-locking planks requiring no glue or nails, installing many LL laminates yourself proves not only possible – but saves thousands over hiring out.

The Last Word

If seeking family-friendly floors equipped to handle messy kids, raging parties, laundry room spills or bathroom steam without costing thousands, accept no substitutes.

LL Flooring securely checks all the boxes across style, quality, and value. Just weigh installation options and care guidelines to ensure satisfactory results from exciting start to happy finish.

I hope this insider peek convinces you to take the leap into laminate flooring transformation with confidence! Please share any other questions in the comments.

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