Laminate flooring quality

patg

Can anyone give a few pointers what should be considered when choosing new laminate flooring.
I'm seeing price variations between 6-20 euro/sq m.

Apart from appearance - what else do I need to factor into consideration when choosing for kitchen/diner.
What difference does thickness make?
Are there better/less reliable brands?
ARe there different finishes for different uses?

Would be grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks

tred

patg wrote: »

Can anyone give a few pointers what should be considered when choosing new laminate flooring.
I'm seeing price variations between 6-20 euro/sq m.

Apart from appearance - what else do I need to factor into consideration when choosing for kitchen/diner.
What difference does thickness make?
Are there better/less reliable brands?
ARe there different finishes for different uses?

Would be grateful for any suggestions.
Thanks

I went with Balterio, 25 year warranty. And the chippy said it was a doddle to put down, compared to some. It was an american walnut type. Most people looking at, thought at first glance it was solid!

patg

Hi Tred

Why did you choose that product - I'm still trying to work out what the deciding criteria should be - apart from appearance obviously.
Also can you remember how much you paid /sqm?

TonyM.

All laminate flooring is rated
AC1-AC2-AC3-AC4-AC5 you will find it stamped on the box.

AC5 being the most durable surface usually found on 10mm or 12mm boards and rated for contract use .

AC3 boards are usually 7mm or 8mm and used for most domestic areas.

ACI or AC2 boards usually 6mm total rubbish avoid

Swiss solid laminate is rated AC5 12mm and costs approx €20.00

The surface rating is more important than the thickness of the board some of the new gloss finish
laminates are 12mm but are only rated AC3.

I f you do not see a rating on the box walk away its a yellow pack board .

tred

patg wrote: »

Hi Tred

Why did you choose that product - I'm still trying to work out what the deciding criteria should be - apart from appearance obviously.
Also can you remember how much you paid /sqm?

Somone swung it here for me on boards, they posted up a finished room. Looked well. And it looks as well in realy life. ITs AC4 i think, Ill dig out the receipt, it was reasonable.

k.

Carlow52

in kitchen put a 500-600 mm or so tiled drop zone around the worktop.

slowburner

TonyM. wrote: »

All laminate flooring is rated
AC1-AC2-AC3-AC4-AC5 you will find it stamped on the box.

AC5 being the most durable surface usually found on 10mm or 12mm boards and rated for contract use .

AC3 boards are usually 7mm or 8mm and used for most domestic areas.

ACI or AC2 boards usually 6mm total rubbish avoid

Swiss solid laminate is rated AC5 12mm and costs approx €20.00

The surface rating is more important than the thickness of the board some of the new gloss finish
laminates are 12mm but are only rated AC3.

I f you do not see a rating on the box walk away its a yellow pack board .

What about the ability of these laminates to resist water?
Are any of them rated for bathrooms etc.?

TonyM.

Laminated flooring and water do not mix I suggest you check out a product called
Eletile http://www.eletileuk.com/home.

Dotsie~tmp

Stay away from Bargaintown.

slowburner

Dotsie~tmp wrote: »

Stay away from Bargaintown.

Not quite with you on this one - perhaps it is over my head?

heffo500

I put this flooring down in our pub and in my kitchen at home:

http://www.noyeks.ie/?page=shop.browse&category_id=201&option=com_virtuemart

Its very durable AC5 and wasnt too dear if you want I can dig out the price I paid.

It looks lovely and is very durable.

If you end up seriously considering it then you could visit our pub and see it in place after two years of wear. It still look as good as new but we wash it twice a week though so there's no beer mark

http://www.finfloor.com/eng/catalogo_suelo_laminado.asp?var1=STYLE&var2=&var3=&var4=NAOMI WALNUT&var5=&nar1=17&nar2=&nar3=&nar4=113&Page=2

It has a 15 year domestic guarantee too.