Q: I have seen the Armstrong Grand Illusions and Bruce Park Avenue laminates. They are as close to hard wood as any laminate that I have seen. What I cannot seem to find out is anything about the durability versus something like the Quickstep Perspective or the Pergo Select. What is your experience to date?
Thank You,
J.Morris
A: Grand Illusions is one of the newest lines of laminate out and the look of the flooring has definitely caught many eyes, much as is did for you. This line of flooring rates amongst Armstrong‘s upper tier of floors, so it should perform on par with the Nature’s Gallery Armalock or the Origins collections.
Bruce’s Park Avenue is also amongst the upper tier of their laminate along with the Reserve collection. In the past Bruce has not performed amazingly with some of their laminate, but much like its parent company Armstrong, they manufacture many lines to cover a broad range of laminate ranging from more economical choices to better quality. This being said, the over all durability should sit right around where Grand Illusions sits.
As far as comparison is concerned, this puts both lines in the lower tier of high quality laminate. Compared to Pergo Select you are not really going to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to price-to-value comparisons for durability, but if the difference in visual appeal is big to you, the Armstrong line is a solid choice. If your primary concern is durability, you will get a good product in these lines, but do not expect the durability found in Pergo Select or Quick Step Perspective.
