Laminate Flooring: What to Know Before You Buy
Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices for homeowners across Bedfordshire and it’s easy to see why. It looks great, handles everyday wear reasonably well and costs considerably less than solid wood or stone. But before you commit, there are a few things worth knowing so you get the right product for your home and avoid any surprises down the line.
It's Not All the Same
Walk into any flooring showroom and you’ll quickly discover that laminate varies enormously in quality. The key figure to look out for is the AC rating, a standardised durability score that runs from AC1 (light residential use) through to AC5 (heavy commercial use). For a busy family kitchen or hallway, AC3 or AC4 is generally the sensible choice. A bedroom or dining room used by adults only can often get away with AC2.
Thickness matters too. Thinner boards (around 6-7mm) can feel hollow underfoot and transmit more noise. A board between 10mm and 12mm will feel more solid and tend to perform better acoustically.
Moisture is The Main Enemy
Laminate and moisture don’t mix well. Standard laminate boards are made from a wood-composite core that swells when it absorbs water, which can cause boards to warp, lift or separate at the joints. For kitchens and bathrooms, you have two sensible options: choose a product specifically rated as water-resistant or moisture-resistant laminate or consider an alternative such as luxury vinyl tile (LVT) instead.
Even in drier rooms, it’s worth leaving new laminate to acclimatise in the space for at least 48 hours before fitting. This lets the boards adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity, which reduces the risk of movement after installation.
Preparation Makes or Breaks The Finish
The floor underneath your laminate needs to be flat, dry and stable. Any significant dips or humps in the subfloor will telegraph through the boards and cause them to creak or flex. A general rule is that the subfloor should be level to within 3mm or a 1.8 metre span.
Most laminate requires an underlay, which is usually sold separately. The right underlay can:
- Reduce impact noise and footfall sound
- Add a small degree of thermal insulation
- Compensate for very minor subfloor irregularities
- Protect against residual moisture rising from concrete subfloors
It's a Floating Floor
Laminate is almost always installed as a floating floor, meaning the boards click together and sit on top of the subfloor rather than being glued or nailed down. This makes fitting straightforward but means the floor needs expansion gaps around the edges of the room (typically 10-12mm) to allow for natural movement. Skirting boards or beading will cover these gaps neatly but they must be left in place.
Choosing laminate flooring is straightforward once you know what you’re looking for. If you’d like guidance on the best options for your rooms, get in touch with a member from our team, we’re happy to help.