Table of contents
What is laminate flooring?Pros and cons of laminate flooringAdvantagesDisadvantagesClassification and types of laminate flooringAC 3AC 4AC 5AC 6Types of laminate flooring. Learn about the types you can find on the market and their characteristics to choose correctly.
If you are thinking about renewing the look of your home's floors, you have probably considered installing some type of laminate flooring. However, you may be a little lost when it comes to the classification of types of laminate flooring that exists.
In this article, at Payresa we bring you an easy explanation of what laminate flooring consists of, its classification and some tips to keep in mind when choosing the best option for covering the floors in your home. Stay with us in this post to find out!
What is laminate flooring?
First, let's briefly explain what laminate flooring is. This type of flooring consists of several layers or sheets of different materials that, combined, imitate the appearance of different finishes, generally that of wood. These are the layers:
- The top layer is made of pressed melamine and its appearance is transparent and textured, imitating the texture of the material it is meant to reproduce. It is also wear-resistant.
- The next layer consists of a decorative paper with the pattern of the material to be imitated, such as wood.
- Next we find a high-density fibreboard panel. This layer provides stability and is resistant to moisture.
- Finally, there is a reinforcement layer that insulates against moisture and balances the upper layers.
Pros and cons of laminate flooring
As with all types of flooring, laminate flooring has a series of advantages and disadvantages that may convince you or make you change your mind about installing it in your home or business. We tell you about them below:
Advantages
- It is an economical option compared to wood flooring.
- There is a wide variety of models, colours and finishes on the market.
- Its installation does not require removing the previous flooring.
- It is very resistant to impacts, scratches, stains or water.
- Its maintenance and cleaning are simple and affordable.
- It brings warmth to spaces.
- It can be installed with underfloor heating.
Disadvantages
- Low quality models cannot be sanded and varnished; only very light polishing is possible.
- They are made with synthetic materials.
- Special attention must be paid to the joints during installation.
Classification and types of laminate flooring
Types of laminate flooring are mainly classified according to their use. This classification is determined based on resistance criteria such as wear or impact. The AC nomenclature is used to differentiate them. In this way, the floor will be more resistant the higher the AC value. Below we briefly explain what each one is used for:
AC 3
This type of laminate flooring offers the least resistance. For this reason, it is not suitable for regular homes with a lot of foot traffic, but it can be installed in second homes, for example.
AC 4
With greater resistance, this type of flooring is indeed more common in a home with normal foot traffic.
AC 5
Laminate flooring in this category is the most in-demand for installation in private homes. It offers intense resistance and can withstand very high foot traffic without being damaged.
AC 6
This type provides the greatest resistance and hardness. For this reason, it tends to be the most sought-after for installations in commercial premises or other types of businesses, as well as in homes.
We hope this information about the types of laminate flooring has been useful to help you get to know a little better what this flooring can offer you. At Payresa, flooring installation specialists, we are at your disposal to advise you on whatever you need. Don't hesitate to contact us!