✓ UK's Trusted Flooring Specialist
Everything you need to know about laminate flooring
Laminate is one of the most popular flooring choices for homes and businesses across the UK. Durable, affordable, and available in a huge range of styles, it is a practical option that does not compromise on appearance. This guide covers the questions we get asked most often.
How hard-wearing is laminate flooring? Understanding AC ratings.
Laminate flooring is rated for durability using the AC (Abrasion Class) system, which runs from AC1 to AC5. The higher the rating, the more wear and foot traffic the floor can withstand. Choosing the right AC rating for your space is the most important decision you will make when buying laminate.
Residential
AC1
Light use. Best for low-traffic rooms like guest bedrooms with minimum heavy furniture.
Residential
AC2
Moderate use. Suitable for living rooms, dining rooms and busy common areas.
Residential
AC3
Heavy residential. Ideal for hallways, kitchens, and high-traffic home spaces.
Commercial
AC4
General commercial. Great for offices, cafes, and busy family homes with pets and kids.
Commercial
AC5
Heavy commercial. Shopping centres, restaurants, and high-footfall public buildings.
For homes
AC3 or AC4 offers the best balance of durability, comfort, and value for most domestic settings.
For commercial spaces
AC4 or AC5 provides long-lasting performance in high-traffic and busy environments.
Can laminate flooring be steam cleaned?
No. Steam cleaning is not suitable for laminate flooring. The combination of high heat and moisture can cause planks to warp, swell, or delaminate, resulting in permanent damage that is difficult or impossible to reverse.
For day-to-day cleaning, use a dry mop, a microfibre cloth, or a lightly damp mop with a laminate-safe cleaner. Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Avoid leaving standing water on the surface at any time.
What should I do if I scratch my laminate floor?
Unlike solid or engineered wood, laminate cannot be sanded down and refinished. The surface is a printed design layer protected by a clear wear coating, so damage to that layer is more difficult to reverse.
For minor surface scratches, a laminate repair kit or a wax filler stick matched to your floor colour will usually blend the mark in well enough to be unnoticeable. For deeper gouges or significant damage, replacing the affected plank is typically the cleanest solution. Most modern laminate floors use a click system, which makes individual plank replacement straightforward.
Fit felt pads to all furniture legs.
Use rugs or mats in high-traffic areas and at doorways.
Avoid dragging heavy objects directly across the floor.
Keep pet nails trimmed.
Is laminate flooring pet friendly?
Yes. Laminate is one of the better flooring choices for homes with pets. Its hard wear layer resists scratching from claws, and the smooth surface makes it easy to clean up hair, muddy prints, and spills quickly.
One thing to be aware of is that laminate can be slippery underfoot for animals, particularly on open runs of floor. Placing rugs or mats in key areas helps provide grip and gives pets a more comfortable surface to walk on.
