I installed Harmonics flooring from Costco in May of 2005 and have been very displeased with it and strongly recommend not using it.  The flooring scratches easier than Pergo(the only other wood flooring I have experience with) and the edges on the boards warp with the slightest conatct of water.  If I don't dry the floor within seconds of washing it I start to see waves, or ripples, along the edges of the board.  The first time I went to wash the floor I used a wet pad that you attach to a Swiffer, which dries in minutes, and the whole floor started to ripple along the edges.  After a few days most of the rippling went away but this is unnacceptable.  I have tried calling their 1-800 number and only get an answering machine and they wouldn't call me be back until I went to Cosco to complain and Costco called for me.

You said that the new packages of Harmonics have a different locking system than before.  Are you sure?  Because we picked up one package of Cabin Maple a few days ago to see if we liked it.  We happened to have one sample of Quickstep at home, so I tried clicking them together and they went together perfectly.  It seemed to me they were the same.

We are planning to do our entire basement with the Harmonics and also are hoping it's manufactured by Quickstep.  I've also read that some packages are manufactured in the U.S. and others are made in Belgium, and that the Belgium packages are substantially inferior to those made in the U.S.  However, I noticed that both the Harmonics that we purchased AND our Quickstep samples are stamped "Made in Belgium."  Maybe the Belgium ones had problems a few years ago, and now it is resolved...I hope so, because it looks like Costco is just carrying the Belgian stuff.  Anyone know about this? :?:

Ooops... I'm embarrassed to say that I was wrong when I said we got "Cabin Maple".  That's what I THOUGHT we had, but the label actually says "Select Maple" which must be the old Maple color.  On Saturday we're going to go to a different Costco and see if they have "Cabin Maple" and then find out for sure if the locking system is the same or not.  Will also find out if the colors look different.  I'll post an update with the results.

Okay, here's the scoop.  We got a ton (literally!) of the Cabin Maple today.  Opened one box:

• It is stamped "Made in USA" (the one box of Select Maple we had was made in Belgium)

• It does NOT match the Select Maple at all.  The Cabin Maple is darker, and warmer than the Select Maple.  The lines between the fake planks (pictures) are more defined.  I think it still looks nice.

• It DOES snap together beautifully with the Harmonics Select Maple AND with the Quickstep sample we have.  Nice and tight.  This is great news to us...because it must still be made by Quickstep.  The 800 number listed on the package is identical to the Harmonics Select Maple...same address, same exact installation instructions.  Just the picture on the front is different and of course the color is different.

I'm thrilled.  Also, fyi, We snapped together our one box of Select Maple about a week ago right at our downstairs entrance which leads right to our hottub.  We and our kids have come in dripping wet several times and intentionally left puddles sitting there until they finally evaporated.  No warping or noticable problems at all.  As far as I can tell, the Harmonics is an amazing bargain.  We almost went with another brand at $4.69 sq.ft. (and that's before adding in all the underlayment, etc.)  Hopefully, time will not prove us wrong about the value of this stuff.

HI,
Does anybody know if I can install the regular laminate used for floors on stairs as well? I am about to buy the Harmonics Laminate Flooring (Cabin Maple) from Costco and I need to know if I should calculate the stairs into the amount we are buying for the floors.  Or is there a special kit for stairs? Thanks for your help!

I purchased a box as well -- I also had a sample of Quick-Step  Brazilian Cherry  U1005U.  The pattern was identical, but the Quick-Step was slim plank and a different width & length, but the locking mechanism (Uniclic) was identical & it clicked in perfectly.

This is definitely Quick-Step.  AND it's over $1/sq ft. cheaper than the best price on the net for essentially the same product...  I can't wait for the next copupon sale!!  I JUST missed it...