Malta Islands — WoodMax waterproof laminate by Republic Floor

Malta Islands is a WoodMax laminate with an embossed wood-grain surface and a mostly warm palette. Three colors (Colorado Gold, Amazon Gold and Coastal Ivory) are golden, knotty oaks, joined by a pale cream, a beige, a soft grey and a whitewashed rustic board.

Republic is specific about the construction. The core is HDF (high-density fiberboard) that, according to the company, swells less than the industry norm; the back is protected by a balancing paper; and the plank is sealed with an extra layer of hot wax. Together with Republic's Triple Moisture Protection, the manufacturer gives the floor a 10-hour spill rating.

That is a meaningful margin for everyday kitchen and family-room spills, but it is a spill rating, not a wet-room rating. Wipe up water when you see it, and keep this floor out of bathrooms and laundry rooms where water can stand; for those rooms, compare Republic's SPC collections. Warranty years are not stated in the collection text; we confirm them with Republic.