Is AC4 better than AC3 for a home?

AC4 has a tougher surface, but AC3 is designed for residential use. Choose AC4 for very heavy wear or a home office with rolling chairs.

How long does laminate flooring last?

It depends on the wear layer, the traffic and how it is cared for. The manufacturer's warranty for the specific product is the best guide.

Can swollen laminate be fixed?

Swollen planks usually need replacing, and the source of the water needs fixing first. Click-lock floors make replacing a few planks possible.

Is laminate herringbone available?

Yes. GM La Surfaces carries herringbone laminate in Parisian, supplied as paired A and B planks, and Aurora, in slim 606 mm planks.

Laminate flooring explained: AC ratings, water, underlay and lifespan

By the GM La Surfaces team · Updated 3 October 2026

Short answer

An AC rating measures how well a laminate's surface resists abrasion under EN 13329. AC3 suits homes, AC4 and AC5 suit busier commercial floors. It says nothing about water: laminate's fibreboard core does not like standing water, whatever its AC rating.

What do AC ratings mean?

The AC (abrasion class) scale tests the wear layer's resistance to scuffing and scratching.

AC3: homes, including busy living areas, and light commercial use
AC4: general commercial use such as offices and shops
AC5: heavy commercial traffic

Is laminate water resistant?

Some laminates are made more water resistant, with sealed or waxed joints and denser cores, and Monsoon and Origins are catalogued as water resistant. Still, none should sit in standing water. Wipe spills, use a damp mop, and keep laminate out of bathrooms.

Do I need underlay?

Laminate is laid floating, with planks clicked together over an underlay rather than glued down. Underlay evens out small bumps, softens footfall sound and, with a moisture barrier, protects the core from a damp screed. Use what the manufacturer specifies.

Can laminate go over existing tiles?

Often, yes, if the tiles are sound, level and dry, and door heights allow for the added thickness. Uneven tiles or hollow ones should be fixed first.

Common questions

Is AC4 better than AC3 for a home?: AC4 has a tougher surface, but AC3 is designed for residential use. Choose AC4 for very heavy wear or a home office with rolling chairs.
How long does laminate flooring last?: It depends on the wear layer, the traffic and how it is cared for. The manufacturer's warranty for the specific product is the best guide.
Can swollen laminate be fixed?: Swollen planks usually need replacing, and the source of the water needs fixing first. Click-lock floors make replacing a few planks possible.
Is laminate herringbone available?: Yes. GM La Surfaces carries herringbone laminate in Parisian, supplied as paired A and B planks, and Aurora, in slim 606 mm planks.