How to determine laminate quality

[Ikon]

I interviewed a handyman to install laminate floors and staircase. If he brings his own materials, how can I determine if the laminate is tough enough for the staircase ? The label on tiles indicate only their number and color, but not the manufacturer. He says it is EPI, but how can I make sure ? And there are so many types of EPI laminate anyway...

[Art]

You need to go to a showroom, see what is available and price what a pro charges to install it. It needs to be put in correctly. A homeowner doing it carefully following instructions or a pro but doubtful that you want a handyman. Go with the snap together stuff in any case. Check out Mannington brand..... has held up well for us so far in kitchen and even a bathroom.

[Tom]

Ya pays yer dollar, and ya takes yer chances? Tom Work at your leisure!

[m Ransley]

Get the reciept , get proof, call the store or company. There are cheap products out there.

[Ikon]

Thanks for all your kind replies. But is there a forum, or a website where I could see customers' reviews for various laminates ?

Also I found that IKEA sells seme decently looking laminates, but they provide very little information - for example, they do not even indicate how long it will be under warranty.

[Art]

If you visit

and go to the groups page you can search these posts for the word laminate. Also Consumer Reports rated them a couple of years ago. Definitely go with the snap together kind. Some only snap once or twice and then have to be discarded so those have a disadvantage. Some have riduculous fine print in the warranties. After evaluating those 2 factors I went with Mannington. Pergo used to have horrible service but I believe that is no longer true. Don't be deceived by a lifetime warranty. Read the fine print.