As the technology, design capability - and likeability - of laminate flooring continues to expand, more and more people are opting to use laminate products over traditional flooring options for home projects. For builders and homeowners, choosing the best laminate flooring possible is an important decision which can raise a lot of questions regarding which product should be selected. Fortunately, the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) has developed the NALFA Certification Seal to assist in laminate flooring decisions. Laminate flooring products that successfully pass rigorous testing are outfitted with the NALFA Certification Seal. Builders and homeowners can identify the seal and rest assured the laminate product they are choosing meets and or exceeds the highest level of industry standards set forth by NALFA.

"There is an abundance of laminate flooring products on the market today," explained E. C. "Bill" Dearing, president of NALFA. "Although this offers builders and homeowners numerous alternatives with varying price points, design styles and product specifications, it also raises the likelihood of selecting a product that may cause setbacks on the job site or cause difficulties for the homeowner," said Dearing.

Owning a quality home is very important; and a home equipped with quality material like laminate flooring is an added feature. Builders and homeowners appreciate the ability of the product to withstand high traffic areas without wearing down, as well as the added look of luxury without having to pay the elevated cost associated with high-end flooring options like stone or hardwood.

NALFA certified laminate flooring includes product lines made by Fausfloor, Mannington, Mohawk, Pergo, Shaw, TORLYS, Uniboard and Wilsonart Flooring - look for the NALFA Certification Seal to verify certification of the product. The NALFA Certification Seal can be located on the manufacturer's Web site, marketing materials or promotional materials as well as the product packaging itself. By identifying the seal, builders and homeowners will know they are selecting a product that is long-lasting, durable and capable of meeting the highest level of standards within the laminate flooring industry.

In 2000, NALFA created the voluntary performance standards for the laminate flooring producers in the North American market, which were then approved by the American National Standards Institute in 2001. Performance requirements for NALFA products include but are not limited to: static load, thickness swell, impact resistance, light resistance, cleanability/stain resistance, wear resistance, dimensional tolerances and castor chair resistance. Products are approved in three categories: commercial, light commercial and residential.

Formed in 1997, the North American Laminate Flooring Association is an organization of U.S. and Canadian manufacturers and importers of laminate flooring products. NALFA's mission is to encourage the establishment and maintenance of high standards in laminate flooring in North America, to recognize those that meet these standards and to recognize Associate Members who provide products and services to the laminate flooring industry. For more information, visit www.nalfa.com.