With so many options, selecting the right color and wood type for your house might feel like a daunting task. For example, if your house has a picturesque farmhouse vibe, a contractor might suggest going with a more rugged, textured option. But if you're renovating a modern apartment, they may suggest a smooth matte look. A pro will be able to direct you toward an option that's appropriate for the home’s age, style, and color scheme.
Abrasion Coefficient Rating
The AC rating is just a shorthand way of ranking laminate by its durability. AC levels run from 1 through 5, with 5 being the most durable. Typically, the highest-needed rating for residential laminate is AC 4, with AC 5 generally used in industrial and commercial areas. Still, you don't have to avoid AC 1-rated laminate floors.
For areas with lower foot traffic, such as bedrooms or closets, AC 1 is a perfectly durable option. But areas with higher foot traffic, like the kitchen and entryway, need a higher durability rating. As you go up in AC ratings, the cost of your flooring will also rise. As you may have guessed, AC 1 flooring is usually the least expensive type.
Texture and Finish
You also need to think about texture and finish, another variable that'll affect the cost. For textures, you can choose between smooth and textured. Smooth laminate flooring is generally more affordable than textured laminate flooring since it's more likely to show dings and damage.
For finishes, you have three options: semi-matte, matte, and glossy. A matte finish tends to show footprints and dirt easily, costing less than a semi-matte. Both matte and semi-matte finishes are generally more affordable than laminate with a glossy finish.
Thickness
Laminate flooring ranges from 6-millimeter thick to 12-millimeter thick. Thicker laminate flooring is more resistant to bending when installed over a bumpy or uneven surface and can feel sturdier as you walk and move on it. As the thickness increases, you can expect the cost to increase as well.
Pad and Underlay
Underlay is a term for the padding placed below a floor. It protects against moisture, absorbs sound, and minimizes any sloping on your floors. For homeowners who don’t want any surprise expenses after buying flooring, they should find a type of laminate that comes with underlayment or padding already attached.
Underlay can also be purchased separately and typically comes in 100-square-foot rolls, at about $15 to $20 per roll. This price may increase due to the underlay quality and thickness. One large drawback is that it’ll take longer to install because the padding will have to be measured and cut separately.
Flooring Features
Different brands offer special features that may be more or less attractive to you, depending on your lifestyle. Each additional element will add to the overall cost of your materials. Special features can include: