Choosing the right laminate flooring

Anyone who’s in the market for laminate flooring knows the selection is mind-boggling.  With varying thicknesses of laminate and different “click” systems, how is the consumer to know which product is good and which is not.  With big box stores selling laminate the confusion is further multiplied.

The purpose of this post is to answer your questions about laminate and help you choose a product that will look good in your home for years to come.

Why the price difference?

If you’ve been shopping around, you have probably discovered that the price of laminate can vary from as low as 69 cents a sq ft to over $5.00 sq ft.  There are a number of reasons for the price difference.

1)      A laminate selling for 69 cents a sq ft is likely a low quality loss leader.  The price is likely only good for short period of time and subject to product availability.  The catch is, you will likely pay more for the underlay, moldings or other supplies needed to complete the project.  In the event you run short and want to purchase more to complete the project, don’t be surprised to find the product is no longer available.

2)      Door crasher pricing isn’t the only reason for price variation.  Laminate is much like any other product on the market: you get what you pay for.  When you see a low price, there’s much to look out out for.  

What to look for in a Laminate

The application will determine the level of quality you will need in a laminate.  I will focus on laminate that will be purchased to be enjoyed by the consumer long-term rather than for a home to be placed on the real estate market.

1) Square or Bevel edge

The edge of the laminate has a large impact on the overall look of the finished product. 

A square edge laminate will result in a completely smooth finished product, similar to a tabletop that has pieces of wood laminated together.  A square edge will be less expensive because it’s easier to make.  A square edge laminate in a single strip plank (i.e. one plank simulates only one board) can simulate a real wood look.  A two or three strip plank (i.e. one plank simulates two or three boards with a fake joint) tends to look artificial when finished. 

A beveled edge is always manufactured in a single strip and is designed to simulate prefinished hardwood flooring.  There are two methods that manufacturers use to finish a beveled edge.  One method is to stain the beveled edge to match the laminate.  The better method is to have the laminated picture wrap around the bevel.  The laminate with the wrapped edge will look more realistic, and will be less likely to swell at the joint from moisture.  The wrapped edge will also last longer because the stain tends to wear off of a stained edge.

 2) Click System

The click system will ultimately determine whether or not your laminate flooring will stay together long term.  Poor click systems are what make a laminate difficult to install, gap over time and impossible to repair.  A drop and lock system makes for easy installation, but should the laminate get damaged in the future, board replacements are difficult.  The best click system in the industry is the Uniclic joint.  This patented click system can withstand 1000 lbs of pressure per meter and not come apart.  The Uniclic joint is used by Torlys and enables the product to be taken apart and re-installed in three different rooms under warranty.  The Uniclic joint holds the laminate so tight together water is unlikely to penetrate the joint.

3) AC rating

The AC rating is the system used to measure a laminate’s durability.

The AC rating measures a laminate’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and burn resistance.  The rating ranges from AC-1, which is the lowest, to AC-5 which is the highest rating.  Laminates with an AC-4 and 5 rating are designed for commercial applications.  AC ratings 1 – 3 can be broken down as follows: 

AC 1
House, One Person, (Residential, Moderate Traffic: Suitable for bedrooms or guest rooms)

AC 2
Residential, General Traffic: Suitable for living rooms or dining rooms

AC 3
Residential, Heavy Traffic: Suitable for all areas

A rating of no less than AC 3 is required in order for a laminate to be suitable for all areas of the home.  AC 3 or higher is also required for light commercial applications.  Any laminate that does not have an AC rating, either hasn’t been tested, or has failed the AC test.  Many of the Torlys laminate products have an AC 4 rating.

4)  Pattern Repeat  

A laminate plank consists of a picture of wood or tile being applied to a High Density Fiberboard core.  The more visuals, the fewer planks there will be with the exact same picture.  Lower priced products are likely to be more repetitive with a 1 in 4 pattern repeat.  Quality products like Torlys start with a 1 in 10 pattern repeat and go higher. 

5)  Core Density  

Contrary to what may seem logical, product thickness is not the primary factor that determines whether or not a laminate has a good core.  A true High Density Fiberboard will have a density of at least 800kg/m3.  Anything less is a Medium Density Fiberboard that will compromise the integrity of the laminate.  An 8mm laminate with an HDF core will be more dent resistant than a 15mm laminate with an MDF core. 

6) Swell rate  

As much as we may try to prevent them, spills happen.  When sitting liquid goes unnoticed, it will eventually penetrate the joint.  A laminate with high absorption will noticeably swell when exposed to moisture.  Although laminates in North America can have an absorption rate of up to 50%, a quality laminate by Torlys has an absorption rate of less than 8%.

7) Warranty

A product is only as good as its warranty.  Likewise, a 20 year warranty offered by a no name brand can only be honoured as long as the manufacturer is in business.  Torlys, a laminate manufacturer which operates out of Toronto, was founded in 1988.  Torlys laminate can be disassembled and re-installed in another room up to three times under warranty.  Their 35 year warranty also permits installation by do-it-yourselfers without affecting coverage.

  

After researching that low priced laminate, you may find that deal that seems just too good to be true, probably is.