Balterio Laminate Flooring

Laminate Flooring Durability – What’s an AC Rating?

A testament to the durability of laminate flooring is the ‘Abrasion Class’ to which it is certified under, more commonly referred to as the ‘AC Rating’. This AC rating is a good gauge as to how well a laminate floor will perform in both a residential and commercial setting. It is always advised that you check the AC Rating of a laminate before purchasing to ensure it suits your purpose.

Laminate flooring will receive an AC Rating based on a series of stress tests. The performance of the flooring under these tests will determine its rating.

The key stress points are staining, impact, heat, moisture, scratches and scuffs.

The following will give you a good indication of what you can expect from each AC Rating:

AC1:Suitable for residential use only, with moderate traffic

AC2:Suitable for residential use only, with general traffic

AC3: Suitable for heavy residential usage, or low commercial usage

AC4: Suitable for commercial usage with general traffic. Think cafes, hair salons or busy offices

AC5: Suitable for commercial usage with heavy traffic. Think hotels, department stores, or busy showrooms

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