Five tips for buying laminate flooring

Laminate is a floor selection that is being made by increasing numbers of home and business owners. Many people want floors that are long-lasting as well as being simple to clean and maintain, and laminate ticks all of those boxes.

The layer of scratch protection that it is designed with means that it is ideal for people with children or pets, as well as for commercial outlets that experience high foot traffic. An additional seal also protects it against water damage, so it is suitable for both commercial and home kitchens as well as bathrooms too.

Finally, laminate can be made to look like other surfaces, from stone and tiling to polished wood, so it combines efficiency with visual appeal. If you are considering fitting laminate floors, we have some pointers to bear in mind though.

Think about thickness

Laminate is one of the floor surfaces with the most variance when it comes to the thickness. There are five thickness levels available and they are determined by the AC rating. The lowest degree of thickness is usually around 7 millimetres, which would give the floor an AC1 rating. The highest is up to 15 millimetres and would come with an AC5 rating.

Which you choose should depend on where the laminate is being fitted. If it is to be installed in a room where footfall is fairly low – for example guest rooms or bedrooms – around 8 millimetres (AC2) will be fine. Such floors will not be likely to experience much wear and tear. When it comes to rooms in a home where people walk regularly in shoes or boots, a thicker grade of laminate will be needed. Think AC4 flooring of around 12 millimetres in thickness if you do not want to have to replace it constantly.

The highest AC5 rating is really for the floors of commercial outlets like shops which need to withstand very high traffic levels on a daily basis.

Consider the style

Laminate comes with an image added to the top layer that mimics the look of other floors. That means you can get it in a wide range of styles and colours, so you need to choose one that fits the rest of the room. Make your choice based on the overall theme and colour coding of the other furnishings in the room.

For instance, if it is being fitted in a kitchen that is sizeable and open plan, laminate in a light shade and with wider planks will probably work best. On the other hand, for a smaller living room, dark coloured narrow plank laminate will create a cosier effect.

Balance your budget

As with most other types of floor surface, the cost of laminate flooring will vary considerably. Thicker laminate is more expensive, but it will also last for longer. The chosen style of the floor will be a factor in its cost too.

What you spend on the floor should be based on how often people are likely to be walking on it wearing footwear like shoes or boots. More will need to be spent if the floor is for a commercial outlet for that reason. However, even for a home, you are strongly advised to aim for the highest quality laminate floor available within your allotted budget, rather than cutting corners. You will have to look at the floor each day and one that stays in good condition will be more appealing to the eye.

Sizing

It does not matter if the floor is for one room or an entire house or commercial space, you will need to know exactly how much laminate flooring is required. The best way to work this out is in square feet. Doing so will ensure that you do not buy more or less than you need and will also help when it comes to figuring out prices against your budget.

Many flooring experts advise buying around 10% more than is needed, because that will guarantee that you are protected in the event of an installation error or one part of the floor not matching properly. You do not want to end up with an unfinished floor while that problem is resolved.

Getting it installed

Finally, you need to consider the issue of fitting the laminate. The two available options are to install the surface yourself or to pay a reputable professional to complete the job. Most companies that sell floor surfaces are also happy to install them and choosing that option will minimise the risk of an installation mistake. That is especially true if you have never fitted a floor before.

If you are not experienced in the job but prefer to install it yourself, consider buying laminate planks with click system edging. That makes putting them together simpler.

You should have no problems with your laminate flooring if you follow these tips.