Santa Monica

Santa Monica sits with the darker, richer colours in our laminate range. Darker floors suit large, well-lit rooms with pale walls and joinery.

It is a 12 mm laminate in 2260 × 236 mm boards. The 4D embossed-in-register surface gives it texture that follows the grain, and the Välinge 5G click joint locks the boards together. Installation is floating, over underlay. Four boards per carton, 2.13 m².

The trade-offs with a dark floor

Keep in mind that darker floors show pale dust and pet hair more than mid tones, and a dark floor in a small room can close it in. In return they give a room a strong base, especially under light furniture and rugs. A living room in a newer home in Vermont or Wheelers Hill with white walls and big sliding doors is the kind of space where Santa Monica works.

Why laminate for a dark look

Dark floors are often chosen for a look rather than for the timber itself, and laminate offers that look at a lower cost. It is also quicker to install, because the boards click together and float rather than being glued. The downside is that it cannot be sanded, so a deep gouge means replacing a board.

Install checklist

• Flat, dry subfloor; old carpet removed
• Underlay first, then boards clicked together
• Expansion gaps at walls, covered by skirting or trim
• Not suitable for bathrooms or laundries

If you need carpet or old flooring taken out first, see floor removal.

Compare

For a dark look in real engineered oak, compare Hidalgo or the Nero Brown wide board. Read our dark tones guide, or see the whole laminate range.

Care

Dust mop or vacuum often, damp mop with a well-wrung mop, and wipe spills quickly. Colour on a screen is only a guide, so we recommend taking a free sample home.