Laminate floors are preferable for many homeowners since they come in different designs and are cheaper than hardwood floors. Nevertheless, most homeowners do not know how to choose a laminate floor. Read this piece for some tips on how to choose a laminate floor.
Manufacturer
The floor is one of the most valuable aspects of your home's interior design. Therefore, it must not only be appealing but also durable. Home improvement blogs and customer reviews will give insights into the durability of the various brands on the market. Moreover, examine the manufacturer's standards. For instance, do they use high-quality materials? What types of adhesives do they use to bind the various layers? Does the floor come with a warranty? If it does, how many years does the warranty last? These assessments will help you evaluate the durability of the different brands.
Types of Laminate Floors
There are two types of laminate floors. Engineered hardwood floors have a thin hardwood layer glued to a plywood plank. These floors suit people looking for an authentic hardwood look. On the other hand, a plastic laminate floor has a woodgrain print embedded into a resin-saturated fibreboard. A hard clear plastic layer protects the hardwood print. It is quite difficult to differentiate an engineered wood floor from a plastic laminate floor. However, the former helps improve the value of your home since most buyers appreciate the natural look.
AC Rating
The Abrasion Criteria (AC) rating refers to the wear resistance of a laminate floor on a 1-5 scale. Typically, a higher AC rating indicates a higher resistance to wear. For instance, AC1 floors are suitable for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms. AC2-rated floors can withstand medium foot traffic, while AC3 floors suit high traffic areas in residential settings such as the kitchen and living room. AC4 laminate floors can be used in commercial settings with moderate foot traffic, while AC5-rated floors can withstand heavy foot traffic in commercial and industrial environments.
Features of The Laminate Floor
Below laminate floor features to assess include:
- The floor design: The colour, texture, and grain pattern of the floor must complement other aspects of your home's interior design, such as the paint and lighting.
- The plank size: The size of the room determines the plank size. Ideally, use small planks in small spaces and larger planks in expansive areas.
- Underfloor heating support: If you intend to use underfloor heating, ensure your preferred floor is compatible with underfloor heating systems.
- Waterproof: Waterproof laminate floors suit your outdoors and kitchen.
When buying laminate flooring, consider the manufacturer, type of floor, AC rating, and the available features.
