If you want flooring that’s affordable, durable, and available in all sorts of styles, laminate is a great choice. Designed for high-traffic areas, laminate is highly resistant to scratches and stains, making it very popular for families here in Austin. Here’s what goes into becoming the top laminate flooring company in Austin.
Water Resistance of Laminate Flooring
The makeup of laminate makes it very, very difficult for water to penetrate its surface. So, virtually any type of laminate you get will be water resistant.
But if you’re planning on installing flooring in a bathroom, kitchen, or any area that’s bound to get wet, you may consider exploring options that come with special water-resistant features. For instance, certain types of laminate are made with high-density cores designed to repel moisture and prevent warping or swelling, even from heavy water exposure.
So, one of the first things to clear up when shopping for laminate flooring is whether you want the usual degree of resistance, or additional protection from water, spills, and moisture. The top laminate flooring company should ask you about what level of moisture protection you need.
Thickness of Laminate Flooring
Another important factor is your household’s usual level of activity. Homeowners with young children and/or pets are sometimes recommended to choose laminate that offers more thickness than standard material.
To get an idea of how durable a type of laminate is, ask about its AC rating, which stands for Abrasion Criteria. The AC rating identifies suitable uses for a laminate on a scale from 1-5. The higher the AC rating, the more durable the flooring.
AC1: Very light foot traffic; suitable for bedrooms
AC2: Moderate foot traffic; suitable for living rooms
AC3: Heavy residential traffic; suitable for all areas
AC4: Residential or commercial traffic
AC5: Heavy commercial traffic
As you can see, a household with heavy traffic (e.g. children and pets) is suited for AC3 laminate, at the very least. The top laminate flooring company in Austin should educate you on the level of thickness and how thick it should be in your home.
Texture of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring comes in various textures and finishes. You can choose to have your laminate made with a very smooth texture, or it can be made with a wood grain texture surface to offer more slip-resistance. A household with young children might consider the latter option, as would a household for a disabled individual. Wheelchairs require flooring that provides adequate traction, so you wouldn’t want to choose the smoothest possible texture.
On the other hand, smoother surfaces might be better for households with allergy sufferers. Laminate is considered hypo-allergenic in general, but a smoother surface may prevent your flooring from collecting even a small amount of dust, dander, or other particles.
The top laminate flooring company in Austin will educate you on the water resistance, thickness, and the amount of texture that is available with laminate flooring so that you can make the best informed decision for your home.
If you are looking to install or replace laminate flooring in your home, the experts at Flohr would be happy to help and answer any laminate-related questions. We can also show which options are best suited for households like yours. Contact us today and let’s get your project underway.
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