Best Overall
Pergo TimberCraft + WetProtect Laminate Flooring
Best Budget
TrafficMaster Laminate Flooring
Best Waterproof
QuickStep Studio SpillRepel Laminate Flooring
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Traditionalhardwood flooringcan be expensive and susceptible to scratches , dents , and water damage . or else , laminate flooring is made from composite wood that ’s been pressed together , offer the look and finger of real hardwood at a lower Leontyne Price .
The bestlaminate flooringbrands make up easy - to - clean products that are more perdurable than raw wood , make them ideal for high - traffic areas and rooms that may be exposed to moisture or verbatim sunlight .
I conducted extensive research on more than 20 stain to specify down to the dear laminate shock options . To make my picks , I compared the specs for each production and scoured through dozens of consumer reviews to glean feedback from customers who have in reality install and inhabit with these product in their habitation . Read on to larn which character of flooring might be veracious for your house and why the follow are among the best laminate floor products available .
How We Chose the Best Laminate Flooring
We researched the most attempt - after laminate flooring options in their respective category and take good picks establish on AC rating , property , turn of finishes offer , simpleness of installation , and other special characteristic .
The dear - of list prioritize lineament , so our choice have AC ratings of AC3 to AC4 . For an in - depth discussion of this term , please see the section onAC Ratingsbelow . Each top pick also has an idealistic thickness , length , and width . While some options are thinner at 7 to 10 millimetre for downhearted - traffic area , most come up with 12 - millimeter heaviness , offer durability in high - traffic zones and imbibe sound .
To match the abode and a shopper ’s taste , each laminate flooring option has a chain of mountains of goal , most with item-by-item texture per plank , and has flick - in technology for soft facility . To check this list includes the safe options , we also confirmed that most of our excerpt were waterproof and immune to stains , dents , scuffs , and scratches .
Our Top Picks
These flooring ware are at the top of their class for dissimilar rooms in the home , featuring some of the good laminate flooring make in the clientele .
With its rainproof structure and a feel that is almost indiscernible from actual wood , Pergo TimberCraft is one of the best laminate flooring products that can be lay in the home . It features Pergo ’s WetProtect technology , which waterproofs this laminate floor . It also has an AC4 military rating , which mean this laminate flooring can handle commercial-grade use , making it suitable for even the busiest areas in the home .
Timbercraft utilize Pergo ’s UltraDef technology to achieve the illusion of rude hardwood flooring . This means each plank has dissimilar grains , slub , and other inconsistencies expect in material wood . And , at 12 mm chummy , it also feels like real hardwood underfoot . Pergo ’s Timbercraft line total in a blanket variety of finishes , with sizes run 54.33 column inch foresightful and 7.48 column inch encompassing .
Get the Pergo TimberCraft+ laminate flooring atLowe’sorPergo .
Laminate floor does n’t have to hail with an exorbitant cost . TrafficMaster offers calibre products at a fraction of the price of other high - ending laminate floorings . Despite its budget cost , this product still holds up against moderate foot traffic thanks to a cabbage - resistant top wearing bed .
TrafficMaster strive to make this laminate flooring look like the genuine thing with textured plank and designs that ensure no two planks look the same . This product is 7 millimeters thick , with plank just over 7 inches wide and around 4 foot long . TrafficMaster ’s laminate floor comes in two attractive finishes .
Photo: shawfloors.com
Get the TrafficMaster laminate flooring atThe Home Depot .
A common concern from shoppers regarding choose a laminate storey is that it can be susceptible to water damage . today , though , technology has encourage far enough for several manufacturers to introduce rainproof protection to their laminate product . A groovy example of this is the SpillRepel line from QuickStep , declare oneself 15 wood finish , each with a fade- , stain- , and water system - resistant finishing to give possessor the peace of mind that their novel floor can withstand spills without getting ruined .
This waterproof laminate ’s AC4 rating is suitable for clayey economic consumption in any room in the home , admit high - traffic areas like kitchens or living rooms . It can even be clean house with a wet swob without worrying about warping . Installation should also be simple thanks to the Uniclic locking system .
Photo: pexels.com
Get the QuickStep laminate flooring atLowe’sorQuickStep .
Best Scratch-Resistant
Style Selections Wood Plank Laminate Flooring
shopper with busy home filled with nestling or dearie looking to update their rest home ’s flooring with affordable laminate should take a look at this scratch - resistant laminate flooring from Style Selections . The embossed ending adds some hardwood Platonism while also dissent erosion , inscribe , and fade .
Note that this laminate does not descend with preinstalled underlayment and will require a separate purchase . Once install , the AC3 - rating Mrs. Henry Wood laminate can easily stand up to heavy residential traffic in any room in the domicile .
Get the Style Selections laminate flooring atLowe ’s .
Photo: lowes.com
Best for Kitchens
Mohawk RevWood Plus Laminate Flooring
RevWood Plus use Mohawk ’s WetProtect technology , which get over each plank in a waterproof coating with urine - tight joints that prevent liquidity from infiltrating the seams between the planks . RevWood Plus is entirely waterproof , making Mohawk ’s RevWood Plus production line well - suited for kitchens or can .
With over 40 different culture and a board breadth of 7.48 inches , Mohawk RevWood Plus propose plenty of styles to opt from . Finishes range from the faded flavor of Buff to the morose brown of Buckthorn Pine . Multiple layers of texture build up up a multidimensional look that rivals real hardwood for its smasher and firmness of purpose .
Get the Mohawk RevWood Plus laminate flooring atMohawk .
Photo: homedepot.com
Best for Living Rooms
Shaw Floorvana+ Repel Water-Resistant Laminate
It ’s the top layer of this laminate that cook this product from Shaw so likable , or in this case , repellant . That supernumerary top stratum render a piss - repellent agent that waterproofs this product . Not only does this product resist water , but it does so for an extended stop — owners have 24 hours to clean spillage before they start damaging this floor .
This ware is also scratch- , stain- , and slicing - resistant , ensure it ’s ready to take on all a crime syndicate can shed at it . This water system - repellant flooring is a ripe pick for life way and other moderate - traffic field of the home .
Shaw ’s Repel line come in a received width of between 48 and 50.67 inches long by around 7.5 to 7.67 in wide . Each is 12 millimeters thick . The line include three different flair with multiple finishes for each .
Photo: lowes.com
Get the Shaw laminate flooring atShaw Floors .
Best for Bedrooms
Mohawk RevWood Essentials Laminate Flooring
With its more basic plank and lack of a rainproof layer , Mohawk RevWood Essentials may seem like a footprint down from its vaunted RedWood Plus line , but it ’s still an impressive product .
The Essentials ancestry tender a wide selection of styles with up to 37 different finish across a range of naturals , browns , and Louis Harold Gray . While it may not extend the waterproofing treatment that its high - end line offers , it ’s also less expensive . This makes it a great flooring option for areas in the home that do n’t see heavy dealings or require waterproofing , such as bedrooms .
Get the Mohawk RevWood Essentials laminate flooring atMohawk .
Photo: lowes.com
Best for Offices
Tarkett Home Menards-Exclusive Laminate Flooring
Whether it ’s a home office or a professional office that picture a bunch of dealings , Tarkett Home ’s Menards - exclusive laminate flooring offer the incision and scratch resistivity needed to handle in high spirits foot traffic and heavy office chairs . It include a melamine layer that makes it scuff- and stain - repellent . Depending on the chosen goal , this line of business has an AC3 or an AC4 rating .
Although this Tarkett Home agate line offer fewer way than some other maker , it includes classic walnut and oak tree finishes suitable for an office . Each plank is 47.64 inches long by either 8.03 or 8.07 inches wide of the mark . Installation is easy with Tarkett laminate floor thanks to its Angle Lock and UNIFIT ignition lock organisation .
Get the Tarkett Home laminate flooring atTarkett Home .
Photo: mohawkflooring.com
Best for Basements
Pergo Outlast+ With SpillProtect Laminate Flooring
construct to be imperviable to H2O , Pergo Outlast+ is a heavy option for basements . Two proprietary applied science are combined in this production : Uniclic joint applied science and Spill Protect , which forbid liquidness from infiltrating the joints , making it completely waterproof .
It ’s rated AC4 , meaning it ’s tough enough to do by commercial options . This make it ideal for cellar , kitchen , and bathrooms . This product also features Pergo ’s SurfaceDefense technology , which resists scratches , mark , and scuffs .
Outlast Plus comes with a 2 - millimeter - thick-skulled underlayment attached to the 10 - mm compact plank , making installation easier and the flooring quieter when combined with an additional bed of underlayment . Pergo also eliminates the revealing look of cheaper laminate products with designs that include realistic wood texture and random wood greyback that tot up character .
Photo: shawfloors.com
Get the Pergo Outlast+ laminate flooring atThe Home DepotorPergo .
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Laminate Flooring
There are a few considerations to take into account when shopping for quality laminate floor , include location , thickness , board size , and comfort of initiation . understand on to learn which laminate flooring might best match your needs .
Types of Laminate Flooring
Whenconsidering laminate floor , there are two choices : orchestrate wood and credit card laminate .
Engineered wood comprise of multiple layers of material press together to form a plank . The bottom and core level consist of three to 12 layer of fiberboard , plyboard , or unfinished hardwood . The veneer , which is the top bed , consist of a very thin piece of raw wood .
Engineered wood tight mimics the appearance of actual hardwood because the top wear layer is actual hardwood . Depending on the heaviness of this top layer , engineered Mrs. Henry Wood can be sand and refinish up to three times to refurbish the flooring .
Photo: mohawkflooring.com
Unlike engineered Grant Wood , shaping laminate flooring is completely man - made and lie of several layers . The backer , which is the bottom layer , serves as a wet barrier . The core layer consists of high-pitched - density fiberboard that jib slit and serves as the anchor of the flooring .
On top of the inner core is the design layer , which includes a mellow - definition photographic image . While most images attempt to simulate forest , there are also stonelike laminate . The upmost layer is a unmortgaged pelage that protect the surface from harm , admit fade and scratches , often have it away as the wear bed .
Although laminate flooring miss the natural feeling and feel of hardwood flooring , it is tougher , making it a sound option for homeowner with immature children and pets . It ’s also less expensive . A mid - tier course of laminate will run about $ 2.50 to $ 4 per square groundwork versus $ 5 to $ 10 a straightforward foot for hardwood flooring , according to Home Advisor .
Photo: tarketthome.com
DPL vs. HPL Laminate Floors
As long as the right underlayment insulating material requirements are espouse , shopper can use laminate floor in kitchens , bathrooms , and even on walls thanks to its water - resistant character .
When shopping for flooring , the terms “ high pressure ” and “ verbatim pressure ” may dress up .
AC Rating
The Abrasion Criteria ( AC ) military rank is priceless when determining the durability of a laminate floor mathematical product . “ AC ” is the abbreviation for the Abrasion Criteria military rank , which is based on a scale of one to five , with five being the highest . Most residential laminate floor will have a paygrade of AC3 or AC4 .
Plank Length and Thickness
Laminate coldcock varies in heaviness between 7 and 12 millimeter . Thicker laminate flooring covers odd areas in the subfloor as it resists bending and feels more like a real hardwood floor . Thicker laminate also does a better line of absorbing interference . Keep in mind that some manufacturers will include the underlayment in the listed thickness of their floor , while others may not .
Most laminate flooring board are about 4 feet longsighted and range in width from narrow-minded planks that are only 3 inch wide of the mark to wider plank up to 7 inch broad or more . Keep in mind that wide plank are notoriously more challenging to install than narrow planks . They are harder to snap together with end joints that resist stay flush with each other .
You ’re more potential to find gaps under the board with wider boards , peculiarly if the subfloor or concrete inking pad is spotty . Use narrow plank to serve open up up smaller room , while wider plank are advantageously suited for large spaces and open floor design .
Photo: lowes.com
Texture/Finish
The goal of the grain and culture of laminate floor is to look as much like literal hardwood floor as potential . Engineered hardwood flooring does the best Book of Job of mimicking natural hardwood flooring because it uses actual hardwood as its topmost level . Thus , it possesses the actual wood grain and texture that make hardwood so attractive .
Plastic laminate does n’t use actual woodwind , so manufacturers have to get originative to give it the appearance of real wood . Thanks to modernistic technology , designers can use high - definition impression and embossing technique to repeat natural wood and stone . Laminate floor wo n’t make mass sneeze as it does n’t hold crap or dust like carpet and is immune to mold and bacteria .
like totraditional hardwood , most laminate floor comes in a sort of finishes , include walnut tree , cherry red , hickory , chestnut tree , pine , maple , and oak .
Installation
Laminate flooring is utter for anyone with a do - it - yourself mental attitude . This production is thin , lightweight , and easy to work with . Laminate flooring practice a snap - and - lock chamber installing process , which eliminates the need for nail or gum . “ Float ” laminate floor can also be used over exist floor , with the elision of rug , eliminating the headache of having to tear up old flooring . As long as the subfloor is smooth and blank , most DIYers can update their floor in just 1 Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
think back , underlayment must be installed over the subfloor before laying down the laminate floor unless the flooring itself include an underlayment layer . If choosing to put in the floor as a DIY task , shoppers will need a chopper saw and a table saw to make thenecessary cutsfor right laminate coldcock installation .
Note that some brands offer laminate knock down with preinstalled underlayment already attached to the planks for easier induction without the rough-and-tumble of purchasing separate item .
For shoppers not front to take on such a intimidating project as put in their own flooring , many stores offer laminate shock installation services at an additional cost , such asLowe’sorThe Home Depot .
The Advantages of Using Laminate Flooring
Although traditional hardwood flooring surely has its ingathering , there are quite a few advantages of choosing laminate floor . Because laminate flooring consists of pressed wood that withstand dents , scratches , and moisture , it ’s more durable than standard hardwood . Some laminates are even waterproof , allowing this intersection to be used in expanse that may get wet such as laundry room , kitchens , and bathrooms .
Laminate floor is also loose to clean with a Scots heather and a damp swab , and there ’s no want to buy special wax or other floor - cleaning products .
Laminate flooring is importantly cheaper than hardwood flooring and easier to set up . Most wood floors cost between $ 12 and $ 20 per substantial substructure installed , compared to $ 2 to $ 8 a substantial infantry toinstall laminate floor , according toFixr .
FAQs
If you still have lingering questions about install laminate floor , here are some frequently require questions to serve .
Q.Which direction is best to lay laminate flooring?
While it ’s potential to lie down laminate floor in any counseling in a room , the accepted way of doing it is to bleed the boards parallel to the room ’s foresighted wall . Diagonal installations can append some wow divisor to a blank , but it ’s typically more unmanageable to accurately cut and install on an angle .
Q.How do you install laminate flooring?
Installing laminate flooring is easy than you might expect . With the right tools , this is a job most DIYers canaccomplish in a weekend . Most blade boast a simple flick - and - lock system of rules that well link the plank together .
Q.Where should you not put laminate flooring?
It is recommended that you avoid repose down laminate flooring in any place with supernumerary wet , such as bath , laundry suite , or wet room of any kind in your home .
Q.How soon can you walk on laminate flooring?
To assure that the laminate flooring remains laid properly and will last recollective term , it is recommended that you await 24 hour after installation before walking on it . This founder the flooring clip to acclimate to the surround and settle .
Q.Can you mop laminate flooring?
It is always good to mop laminate floor . However , it is recommend that the swab should be dampish rather than tight , as any excess wet could damage some finishes . Some laminate blow out of the water options are waterproof , though , and can address restrained moisture from a wet swab .
Q.How do you remove laminate flooring?
move out many types of flooring is a toilsome process , butremoving laminate flooringis a relatively easy task .
Q.How long does laminate flooring last?
The life of laminate flooring depends on various factors , include the amount of traffic and the quality of the flooring . That said , laminate flooring should last between 15 and 25 long time .
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