What Is Ac3 Vs Ac4 Rating On Laminate Floor

Ac ratings for laminate flooring are sometimes listed in different ways.

What is ac3 vs ac4 rating on laminate floor.

If the ac4 rating didn t do it for you the included warranties likely will. Typically the higher the laminate flooring rating the higher the price may be. What is an ac rating. An ac rating is a common term used to indicate the durability level of laminate flooring these ratings are applied to all laminate floors by an independent body known as european producers of laminate flooring eplf.

Levels ac4 and ac5 are appropriate for commercial use while ac1 through ac3 are. So when you buy a laminate floor or with a certain rating you know beforehand if it will stand up to your lifestyle. The ac rating for laminate flooring is how the durability of your flooring is measured. With higher ac ratings you will thus benefit from a longer life for your laminate flooring.

If a laminate flooring product you re looking at is listed as being unrated it s safe to say that this particular floor isn t going to hold up well in any situation. Homeowners can use ac3 rating to hold up in main living areas hallways and stairs. This means it s durable and long lasting making it a safe fit for residential or commercial use. Ac4 rated laminate is more wear resistant than ac3 by 60 than ac2 by 120 and than ac1 by 180.

Often a laminate manufacturer will simply label it as ac1 ac2 ac3 ac4 or ac5. Commercial flooring solutions technical features commercial laminate flooring same design in different quality levels why laminate ac ratings matter why laminate ac ratings matter when buying or specifying commercial laminate flooring it is vital to understand the product s suitability for its intended application or usage class. Any time laminate flooring carries an ac4 rating you know you re getting a product you can depend on. Every laminate is rated based on a series of rigorous tests including an abrasion test burn resistance impact resistance stain resistance and swelling under moist conditions.

In some cases ac3 may be acceptable for lighter commercial use but i would receive it more for an office setting and not a store that gets daily public traffic. Because the higher the ac rating the higher the price tag. Ac3 rated laminate is the highest rating for homeowners and the lowest for commercial use. In fact there have been reports of people wearing holes in their socks from laminate with ac ratings higher than ac3.

To receive an ac rating the laminate flooring must pass a series of tests. To help buyers understand the difference in durability among laminate flooring products these ratings indicate a laminate s resistance to stress. When shopping around for laminate it s essential to balance the durability of a laminate with its price.