Laminate flooring continues to grow in popularity. It looks great, is low maintenance and it’s a budget friendly option. However, not all laminate flooring is the same. With that being said, there are three important things you should know and discuss with your laminate flooring installer before you choose yours.
Understand the AC Rating
If you and your laminate flooring installer haven’t discussed AC rating, you should. The AC rating is the Abrasion Class. The five classifications are:
- AC1 – This is also known as Moderate Residential and used most often in low traffic areas of homes like closets and bedrooms.
- AC2 – If you’re looking for something a bit more durable for bedrooms or a living room, this might be the right rating. It’s also known as General Residential.
- AC3 – Homes with pets and small children, should consider at least this rating. It’s also good in all areas of the home as it’s known as Heavy Residential/Moderate Commercial.
- AC4 – This works in most commercial spaces and all homes even though it’s also referred to as General Commercial.
- AC5 – High traffic commercial spaces like government offices and busy retail establishments should use this Heavy Commercial rating.
Choosing one that’s not durable enough for the space or use will mean your flooring will not look good for as long as you’d like it to.
Choosing the Right Underlayment is Essential
Even if you choose the right AC rating for your home or business, if you and your laminate flooring installer haven’t talked about underlayment, ask! Your underlayment has several purposes depending on your subfloor. It can block moisture, provide for a quieter home and it helps the flooring connect better. With some padded underlayments you may even feel like the floor is softer to walk on.
Care & Cleaning
Like most flooring, laminate doesn’t do well when soaked in water. However, as long as you attend to spills as soon as they happen, your flooring should be fine. The best cleaning method is to sweep, vacuum or dry/dust mop it regularly. When you need a deeper clean, use a damp mop and mild cleaning solution. Never use anything that advertises that it adds shine. Chances are that means there is a wax or some sort that will build up and can damage the flooring (not to mention be impossible to clean off).
If you’re looking for laminate flooring, Authentic Hardwood Flooring can help. We offer quality brands and we can also be your laminate flooring installer. Call us today at (727) 786-6330 to schedule your free estimate for your new floors.