Laminate & vinyl · 7 min read

How to Choose Laminate Flooring — AC Rating, Thickness & Waterproof

Pick the right laminate for traffic, pets, and moisture. AC ratings, mm thickness, and when to choose LVP instead.

AC wear rating

  • AC3: light residential — bedrooms
  • AC4: general residential — living, dining, hallways
  • AC5: heavy residential / light commercial
  • Higher AC = harder wear layer — better for dogs and kids

Thickness and underfoot feel

7–8 mm: budget, needs flat subfloor. 10–12 mm: quieter, more forgiving of minor dips. Thickness does not equal durability — wear layer AC rating matters more.

Water resistance

  • Standard laminate: wipe spills quickly
  • Water-resistant core: waxed edges, short exposure OK
  • Waterproof laminate / LVP: for kitchens and mudrooms — read warranty limits

Frequently asked questions

Matte vs glossy laminate?

Matte and hand-scraped textures hide scratches and dust. High gloss shows every footprint and micro-scratch — less popular now.

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