WHAT ARE ABRASION CLASS RATINGS TO LAMINATE?

By San Diego Flooring 

You can use your flooring to withstand drops, spills, or furniture. All Laminate Flooring is long-lasting, durable, and resistant to many forms of damage. However, some flooring is designed to be more durable than others to meet the specific needs of a particular home or business. An easy way to find out if laminate flooring is strong enough for everyday use is to check its abrasion-class rating. You need to familiarize yourself with laminate class ratings if you plan to build a home or replace an existing one.

Do not be intimidated if laminate abrasion classification ratings are new to you. We will be covering all aspects of AC ratings and how to choose the best AC rating in your space or building.

What are Abrasion Ratings?

AC ratings are a system used to classify laminate flooring by its durability. Laminate flooring can come in many styles, colors, textures, and patterns regardless of its AC rating. AC ratings don't distinguish high-quality flooring from low-quality. They allow you to categorize laminate flooring into different types so that you can make the right investment for your home.

How is Laminate Flooring Rated

The "wear" layer is the top laminate flooring layer. This is where the protective layer that keeps your floor clean of water and stains is located. Third-party testers unbiasedly test this layer to determine if laminate flooring is in one of the five categories. They test each flooring piece by using a variety of methods and techniques to remove the protective coating.

What are the different Abrasion Class Ratings on Laminate Flooring?

AC ratings are available for both commercial and residential flooring. Each AC rating is 40% higher than its predecessor. The following are the five types and ratings of abrasion for laminate flooring:

• AC1:AC1 laminate flooring is the most lightweight class for moderate residential use. It is made to withstand light foot traffic.
• AC2 is general residential use. AC2 Flooring: AC2 flooring has a wide range of uses. This flooring is recommended for rooms with moderate foot traffic.
• AC3:AC3 laminate flooring is the most durable form of a residential laminate. It also has the lightest commercial laminate. This flooring is ideal for residential and commercial spaces that see little foot traffic.
• AC4:AC4 should not be used for residential purposes. Instead, you can use this flooring in moderately populated areas of your commercial space.
• AC5:AC5 flooring is the most long-lasting laminate and can withstand even the busiest commercial areas.

An AC rating is only used to determine the degree of durability that laminate flooring requires. It is not an indicator of the overall quality of craftsmanship.

How to Determine Which Abrasion Rating is Right for Your Flooring

You should consider the use of the space and your budget when you are choosing laminate flooring.

What do you do with the Space?

The space you are working in and the purpose you intend to use it for will affect your rating. Each laminate flooring piece is rated according to the amount of foot traffic. This means that you may need several types of laminate flooring in your home.

• Residential spaces Before you start adding flooring to the floors in your home, take a look at your lifestyle. Are you an avid cook in your kitchen? Do you have children who use your living room as a play area? AC1 can be used where you aren't likely to use it, such as a guest bedroom, formal dining space, or storage room. AC2 can be used to cover more common areas like bedrooms and the home office. AC3 can be used in areas such as your living room, hallways, and kitchen.
• Commercial spaces For commercial spaces, identify the areas that are used most often. You have the option to use AC3, AC4, or AC5 in commercial spaces. AC3 flooring is great for smaller areas like hotel rooms and closets. AC4 is designed for small shops, sit-down offices, and specialty stores. AC5 can be used for places that have a lot of traffic, such as sales floors, shopping centers, public buildings, and restaurants.

 

San Diego Flooring

5447 Imperial Avenue San Diego CA 92114

(619) 658 2810