Why I Prefer Balterio Laminate to Quickstep

I’m often asked the simple, blunt question by customers, “what’s the best laminate flooring?”. When you are dealing with good quality laminates, the question can only really be answered based on personal preference rather than a dazzling amount of technical data.

I used to swear by Quickstep. The Uniclic joint was always far superior to so many of its competitors and the designs always seemed to be one step ahead. I remember when they introduced their ‘Antique Oak’ and ‘Harvest Oak’ in the 9.5mm V-Groove Perspective ranges and those decors just sold and sold (can’t give them away now though). This was maybe 5 years or so ago now and for me, Quickstep have not moved with the times at all. I find their new ranges to be dull, awkward, overpriced and far from eye-catching. To a certain extent they have done something about this with their latest update and included ‘Largo’ which does look interesting, as well as dropping a few tired decors, but ultimately it isn’t enough.

I can’t abide their ridiculous ‘Lagune’ bathroom range. Retailers do not want this product! At best you will supply around 6 square metres and for that dubious honour the customer expects a wholly waterproof laminate floor. The fitting instructions are a nightmare and hence we just don’t offer the product fitted. Even DIY I hesitate to sell it and I never recommend it. Why laminate companies seem so obsessed with bathroom laminates is utterly beyond me .

I tend to recommend one of Balterio‘s ranges now. In ‘Tradition Exotic’, ‘Magnitude’, ‘Tradition Sapphire’ and several others, Balterio supply the most impressive looking laminates today. The quality is excellent and most fitters seem to enjoy working with the product. Best of all, customers are continually bowled over by the design.

Used to Great Effect on Tradition Sapphire

Balterio even beat Quickstep at the lower end, with ‘Senator’ and ‘Vitality Standard’ easily outselling Quickstep’s Classic 700 (or whatever they call it now). The constant changing of the names of ranges and the huge array of products to fit on their horrendously overpriced display stand. I refuse to pay £300-ish to have it updated with a few samples when I have already shelled out a lot for the stand. Unbelievable!

Balterio’s stands and sampling are invariably free and they win hands down in this department. You also don’t get every Tom, Dick and Harry giving it away on Ebay for peanuts, like you do with Quickstep – way to go gentlemen.

One word of warning to Balterio though – where are your brochures? In over 10 years of selling your stuff we have never had any brochures and that’s bizarre. Also your website is not a patch on Quickstep’s, so you really need to sort that out.

People in the trade often talk about customers having brand awareness of Quickstep, but in my experience I think this is overstated. Mot customers I come across are only aware of ‘Floormaster’ the B&Q range and have no idea about quality until you get the chance to talk to them about it and show them some samples close up.

Of course there are several other notable laminates, but I am talking about my personal favourite here. Pergo is excellent quality, Egger make some decent stuff, Tarkett do too (some dodgy old colours), Parador are there or thereabouts and we also have a new Austrian laminate called Kaindl which is undoubtedly impressive.

(Originally posted on 15th April 2009)