Are laminate floors durable?

When properly installed and maintained, laminate can last up to 25 years. Made of pressed wood, it is scratch-resistant and holds up to wear.  However, there are varying qualities, so be sure to buy the best laminate flooring for your installation. To ensure that it performs well, look for the following:

Thickness matters

Laminate flooring comes in a range from 7-mm to 12-mm, but a thicker product is more durable, hides subfloor imperfections better, and is quieter.  Laminate is closely associated with hardwood looks, and for an authentic, high-quality feeling underfoot, you should go as high as 10-mm or 12-mm.  This number should pertain to the product only and not include underlayments.

What is the AC Rating?

One way to ensure superior performance is to get the right product for your type of installation, and Abrasion Criteria is one of the most reliable indicators of strength. This is a one-to-five rating system, divided between residential and commercial use, and as the numbers go up, so does the strength. For instance, AC1 is for low traffic floors, while AC2 is for general residential use, such as in living rooms.  AC3 and AC4 are for moderately and heavily trafficked floors, respectively. AC5 is for heavy commercial use. Make sure you find out the AC Rating of the product you select.

Wear layer

This product is layered and, at the top is a transparent ultra-strong aluminum-oxide wear layer.  It protects the floor against scratches and scuffs and also keeps stains and spills from absorbing.

Thanks to modern technology, laminate's images are created with digital technology and offer true-to-life echoes of wood, tile, and stone.  Knots, grains, swirls, and veining variations are in full view, with micro beveling and deep embossing to add depth, dimension, and textured features.  It can be cut into planks to mimic hardwood or square pieces to simulate stone or tile.

It just needs daily sweeping and periodic mopping.  Installation can be an uncomplicated floating floor where pieces click together, mat, and then hover over the subfloor with no nails or glue.

Operating for over 30 years, Elegant Floors is an expert in all flooring from laminate to hardwood, tile, and more. For more information and a free laminate flooring quote, visit our showroom in Shelburne, VT, also serving St George, Richmond, Vergennes, and Burlington.