Dundee plank is a floor that has been in the Bruce line for many years. Its been a few yrs since I worked for Bruce but I recall its a solid. There are engineered, longstrip, solids. All very different constructions using the same species of wood. I don't know about the snap lock products as we didn't have them a few yrs back. What you are pointing out is the futility of consumers to compare a product. When you see posts like Do you like Shaw hardwood? Or xyz brand it really makes no sense since there are so many variations of the same product. Bellawood is a lumber liquidator private label so I don't think CR would test something thats only available from one retailer.

I think CR is pretty good, if you read the results carefully: they tend to pick based on their preception of value, so you sometimes see products passed over that score better [performance wise] but cost a bit more.

They aren't perfect, and there are folks on the appliance forum that think 'CR' is a four letter word. But they are as close to an unbiased, scientific opinion as you are going to find.

Remember to look at EXACT product names and model numbers, though: otherwise, its apples and oranges. And remember that they don't test every brand out there-- I ended up using a semi-transparent stain on my home that they hadn't tested...

CR is one source of product testing and comments. What they say is generally true, but you have to read carefully to understand their criteria and what they are testing for as well as how they test.

There are many sources, including word of mouth, and one should consult as many as sources of product information and reviews as possible before buying something that will be around for a long time and/or is expensive.

That's my opinion, anyways, and I'm a long time Consumer Reports subscriber.

-Roger

I love Bellawood and am planning on using their Bloodwood in most of my 1st floor. Like any hardwood, they have several different grades, but I've looked at many different brands of hardwood, both site finished and pre-finished, and I always come back to theirs.

CR tests only those products that the manufacturer will supply to them.
I believe they are unbiased in the results of their testing....but the kicker is all the similar products that are NOT in the study.
To answer your question.
Linda C

Sheet vinyl gets the highest flooring grade according to CR. But as many people with this product know, the glossy surface layer does scratch and wear away over time. This leaves you with a product that CANNOT be refinished (as far as I know) and generally gets tossed into the landfill and replaced with something else after 10-20 years. In other words, sheet vinyl is not a lifetime flooring product in your typical active household. Our 1997 sheet vinyl with it's semi-gloss sheen in our kitchen is showing such wear.

CR is biased against real wood products in their analysis because many of these products can and do dent. SO WHAT! Our solid red oak floors have some dents and dog scratches to the finish but can be refinished many times and are a LIFETIME product. After a year and a half, the dents and scratches are not that noticeable with the heavy R&Q grain and satin finish sheen.

This lack of analysis by CR with regards to long-term flooring durability and repair shows their ignorance.