Laminate Flooring has an "AC Rating." What is That?
What’s an AC Rating?
Considering some new laminate thanks to a promotion at LL Flooring?
You may think the thicker the laminate, the better, and the longer the warranty the longer it will last. That isn’t always the case, though. So how do you know which laminate will last in your home (or commercial space)?
Luckily, the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF) developed the Abrasion Rating System to give us a way of determining durability and recommended usage level of different laminate floors. The common term used to denote the durability level of laminate flooring is the Abrasion Criteria or “AC” rating.
So, what exactly do AC flooring ratings tell us? They represent a laminate’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and cigarette burns.
AC ratings also indicate that the floor has been tested for the effects of furniture legs, castors, and swelling along its edges. When a laminate flooring product has a rating, then it has passed all of the test criteria. Failing just one test will disqualify a product.
The AC rating levels are designated AC1 through AC5, each reflecting the product’s application and durability.
Application is divided into two groups: residential and commercial.
Each application is then divided by traffic intensity level: moderate, general or heavy.
The image below is a breakdown of AC ratings.
The left picture will be either a house (representing residential use) or a building (for commercial use). The picture to the right will show one, two or three people, depicting the traffic intensity level of moderate (1), general (2) or heavy (3).
An AC3 for residential use is perfectly adequate. Typically the higher the laminate flooring rating, the higher the price may be.
Floors with a rating of AC4 or AC5 are suitable for commercial settings, so there is nothing to stop them being used in any home. What’s more, you won’t ever have to compromise on appearance for this enhanced wear characteristic.
AC ratings allow you to compare products as you shop for the perfect laminate. If you’re tempted by some very cheap laminate flooring, be cautious! It might not have any type of AC rating, which indicates it failed to meet the minimum industry requirements. You can find the AC rating of LL Flooring’s laminates by going to the product page and scrolling down to Specifications.
Want to experience the feel of different laminate floor AC Ratings yourself? Add up to 4 Free Samples to your cart and have them shipped right to you for free, no credit card needed.
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