But laminate does not do the best job at hiding its imperfections, and if the floor has been lived on for several years, the proof could be evident in its appearance.

Laminate flooring was invented in the late ‘70s by Swedish flooring company Perstorp, but it wasn’t widely introduced to the European market until 1984. And it wasn’t available in the U.S ...

Check out the best flooring from CR’s tests, including top-rated options in solid wood, engineered wood, laminate, porcelain tile, and vinyl. Ad-free. Influence-free.