When you visit a local floor covering store or an online retailer to look at laminate flooring to purchase to have installed in your home or commercial business, it is important to understand the differences between the products and which will be suitable for your needs.
In the US, the North American Laminate Floor Association (NALFA, www.nalfa.com) was created to develop industry standards and provide consumers a means of identifying the usage level of various laminate flooring product.
Different styles of laminate flooring are not created equally. Ratings are assigned to the products based on extensive testing requirements. These tests include aspects such as staining and impact as well as an examination of the effects of small burns. Other tests include checking for water absorption and swelling, and the abrasion of furniture legs and castors. If a floor meets or exceeds the basic requirements in all of these areas, it is granted a graduated AC rating.
Unrated laminate does not represent a wise investment. If a laminate product does not have a rating, it did not pass the certification process and was found lacking in one or more testing area.
AC 1 laminate is designated for light use in a home setting. It would is best suited for bedrooms where foot traffic is not particularly intense.
AC 2 flooring is also best for home use, but can withstand greater amounts of travel. AC2 laminate would be ideal in a formal room such as a living room or dining room.
AC 3 is durable enough for general home use in all traffic areas, and can be used in a commercial setting with light foot traffic.
AC 4 is fit for commercial operations with standard amounts of foot traffic such as a small shop or office.
AC 5 is the toughest laminate flooring available, and is best used in a business with heavy amounts of foot traffic such as a public building or department store.
So prior to selecting a flooring for you project, it is important that you do your product research and find the right floor that meets your needs, not only regarding your budget and aesthetic tastes, but also the right rating.
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