Laminate Flooring

Frequently asked questions

What should you look for when choosing laminate flooring?

Three things determine whether a laminate floor will work well in your chosen room. The AC rating shows how much foot traffic the wear layer can withstand. AC5 is a commercial-grade rating, making it a strong choice for hallways and busy kitchens. Next, check the water-resistance rating before fitting laminate in a bathroom, as standard and waterproof laminate are very different products. Finally, consider what sits beneath the floor. A good acoustic underlay helps stop floating laminate from sounding hollow. Our guide to spotting good-quality laminate explains what to compare on each product page.

Does laminate flooring need underlay, and what else goes underneath it?

Laminate always needs underlay, because it is a floating floor that rests on the subfloor rather than being fixed down to it. Over concrete you also need a damp proof membrane, either built into the underlay or laid separately beneath it. The subfloor should be clean and flat to within about 3mm over a 2m span, and the packs need 48 hours acclimatising in the room first. Leave a 10 to 12mm expansion gap at every wall and pipe, hidden by beading or skirting, since skipping it is the main reason a laminate floor lifts or peaks. Our laminate underlay range covers both jobs.

How long does a laminate floor last?

A laminate floor typically lasts 15 to 25 years. Its AC rating is a useful guide to durability: AC3 is suitable for general domestic use, while AC5 is designed for heavy or commercial traffic. In busy areas such as hallways, an AC5 floor will usually last longer than an AC3 floor.

Board thickness affects how solid the floor feels underfoot, but the AC rating is a better measure of wear resistance. Water damage, rather than everyday wear, is what causes most laminate floors to need replacing early. See our comparison of laminate, engineered wood and solid wood flooring to learn how each option ages.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

Standard laminate is water-resistant rather than waterproof, so it copes with spills that you can wipe up, but not with standing water. The HDF core swells once water gets past the joints, and that swelling is permanent because laminate can’t be sanded back. Fully waterproof laminate does exist, and our Prestige Ultra boards give you a 12mm AC5 click floor built for it. For a bathroom or utility room, our waterproof flooring range is the safer starting point, and free samples let you compare how the joints are sealed.

What is the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring?

Laminate has a wood-based HDF core with a printed layer and a hard resin wear surface, while LVT is a synthetic plank that stays waterproof all the way through. Laminate feels harder and closer to real wood underfoot, and it is graded by AC rating. LVT is graded by wear layer in microns and handles bathrooms and utility rooms without any worry about the core. In a living room or bedroom, laminate usually gives the better feel for the money. Anywhere that gets wet, LVT is the one that lasts.

Can you mop a laminate floor?

You can mop a laminate floor, as long as the mop is damp rather than wet. Vacuum or dust mop first, then go over it with a barely damp microfibre and a pH neutral laminate cleaner, wiping spills as they happen. Steam mops are the one thing to keep away from laminate, because forced steam pushes moisture straight into the joints where the core swells. Ammonia-based or abrasive cleaners will dull the wear layer permanently, and that dulling can't be polished out. Find out more about how to clean laminate floors safely.