Changing the look and feel of a home is a big step and one that is only undertaken every few years under normal circumstances. There is so much to consider and if you get it wrong you could be stuck with something for a long time. So when deciding what to do and where, it’s important that you consider what activity goes on in the area you want your laminate flooring installed in.
Often people make the mistake of not researching their product properly. They simply buy with price and looks being the only factors in the decision process. If a product costs less than something that looks exactly the same then you should ask yourself why. In all probability, the guarantee you get with a cheap product will last for about a quarter of the time a guarantee for a better product. So in the long run, you are more likely to save money by spending a little more at the initial installation.
The reason some laminate flooring costs more than others, often has to do with the AC rating. The AC rating is an internationally adhered to durability standard. The ratings range from AC5 down to AC1 which is the least durable and should only ever be fitted in extremely low traffic areas. Places like bedrooms or even spare bedrooms are really the only suitable applications for AC1 boards. An AC rating of 5 is often used in commercial premises and meets the highest level of durability standards.
In an average home, an AC rating of 3 would be more than adequate. If you have a house with rowdy teenagers jumping up and down on it though, you may want to go with AC4 products. Any decision on the grade you need for your flooring should be carefully thought out so that you don’t regret it a year after installation. It’s worth mentioning that some manufacturers will mark their products with the new rating system which will ranges from 21,22 and 23 for homes and 31,32,33 and 34 for commercial premises with the higher the number being more durable.
The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring devised the rating system to stop the market getting swamped by inferior products. Now the industry has established a level of trust with the customers and laminate flooring is the preferred method of upgrading a home. Providing the flooring fits in with the colour of the room you will have something that impresses people the moment they come through the door. You may even intend to match the rest of the room to the floor which when you consider the fact that the floor will last longer than most decors then it makes sense.