Guide to understanding laminate flooring ratings

Most would consider laminate flooring new to North America but it has been around Europe for years. There are more and more highly rated manufacturers coming here but our friends across the Atlantic are still leading in design and product innovations when it comes to laminate flooring ratings. However, with technology, that will change over time.

European producers devised an AC rating standard for laminate floors that has been or is in the process of being adopted by North America. The ranking system in used to compare products that are similar. The AC ranking is a scale between 1 and 5. For low traffic areas, an AC1 ranking will do. So keep this in mind when looking at ratings.

Most laminate flooring used in homes have an AC2 or 3 ranking. These ratings are great for rooms with every day use. For high traffic or commercial use, an AC5 ranking is recommended as these are the best and strongest brands. To find the best ranking for the right use, be sure to speak to a professional to ensure you get the proper product.