Today's laminate flooring proves the age-old theory that opposites attract by marrying beauty and durability in one product.

Years ago, when laminate was first introduced, it performed well, but didn't look enough like the "real thing." Over the past couple of years, however, manufacturers have raised the bar and are now making laminate flooring that's nearly impossible to distinguish from real wood, slate, cork or stone. A new collection of laminate from Mannington, called Revolutions, is one of the first on the market to feature 3-D textures, natural grout lines and beveled plank edges. And, with the added durability of DuPont Teflon(R) surface protector, the floor is easy to clean and maintain, as well.

Laminate can be used in any room of your house. Mannington has designed its laminate floors to coordinate with items already in your home, like furniture and cabinetry. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, from light ash to deep mahogany, and everything in between. And, there are other looks besides wood to choose from such as slate, stone and cork patterns, which are becoming more and more popular as consumers demand more variety and choices.

Wood looks lend warmth and elegance to a room. Depending on your style, you can have a look that's rustic and hand-crafted, or sleek and smooth; stone in an array of colors, from beige to gray, blue, or terracotta; or slate in bronze or gray. No matter what your choice, laminate has excellent durability and is easy to maintain, so it won't require a lot of time and energy to keep clean. So who says opposites don't attract? In the case of laminate, they get along just fine.