Which Laminate Flooring is the best?
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We find a lot of customers asking “Which Laminate Flooring is the best?“. An open-ended question, yes, but one that is backed by technical specifications and AC Ratings. We will go through different aspects of laminate, everything from durability to why laminate flooring generally shouldn’t be used in a bathroom. There will also be Pros & Cons of Laminate Flooring in this article, which will help you in making the right choice on whether laminate flooring is the best choice for you.

THE PROS & CONS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

PROS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

  1. The way that laminate flooring is manufactured provides a high durability and stable product that is available in 1000’s of decors.
  2. Compared to some other types of flooring, laminate flooring is much easier to maintain and clean. A simple sweep & mop is the only cleaning required.
  3. Laminate flooring is both scratch-resistant and water-resistant, meaning laminate flooring can be used in multiple rooms without compromising quality or practicality.
  4. Using a click and lock system, laminate flooring is typically easier than other floors to install and can often be installed yourself, saving you money.
  5. Laminate flooring is more affordable compared to other floors but can last just as long.

CONS OF LAMINATE FLOORING

  1. As much as laminate flooring is a great alternative to real wood, it isn’t the real thing, and can usually be identified if looked at closely.
  2. Laminate flooring can’t be retouched, repaired easily or refinished – unlike real wood flooring.
  3. Not very “sound-proof”. This could lead to a noisy atmosphere in a high traffic home or commercial property.

WHERE CAN LAMINATE FLOORING BE LAID?

Laminate flooring is one of the most common types of flooring available on the market. Unlike other flooring types, laminate flooring has properties such as being water-resistant. If you spill your drink on laminate flooring, you can often mop it up. Due to the above factors, laminate flooring can be fitted in most rooms. We do advise that you speak to a flooring expert to check if your chosen laminate flooring is suitable for your specific needs.

HOW IS LAMINATE FLOORING RATED?

Laminate Flooring has its own rating system, AC ratings. It stands for abrasion criteria and is the test of quality for durability, strength, resistance and longevity. Laminate flooring fits into either the AC3, AC4 or AC5 categories.

AC3-RATED LAMINATE FLOORING

AC3-rated laminate flooring is the entry level laminate that we provide here at Floor Giants. It is typically used for rooms which aren’t likely to have heavy footfall such as bedrooms or guest rooms. AC3-rated laminate flooring generally come with a 10-15 year warranty.

AC4-RATED LAMINATE FLOORING

AC4-rated laminate flooring is the laminate flooring that should be used for heavy domestic or light commercial use. AC4-rated laminate flooring generally comes with a 15-25 year warranty.

AC5-RATED LAMINATE FLOORING

AC5-rated laminate flooring is the laminate flooring that is used for heavy domestic and commercial use, such as high traffic homes, large stores, public buildings or busy offices. This typically carries a warranty of 25 years upwards.

HOW MUCH DOES LAMINATE FLOORING COST?

Laminate flooring is considered to be a viable and good value option for any homeowner. The price can vary considerably dependant on quality, underlay and fitting. You can expect to pay anywhere from £8.99 through to £39.99 for the laminate itself. *These figures are accurate at the time of publishing.

HOW CAN I PURCHASE THE BEST LAMINATE FLOORING?

If you’ve decided you’d like to purchase laminate flooring, we can definitely help you find the best laminate flooring for you and your home. Simply contact us via our contact form or find your local Floor Giants showroom.