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There’s a reason sales of laminate flooring are surging. Once the ugly duckling of residential flooring — flimsy, cheap, unattractive — today’s laminate looks better than ever and is also some of the toughest flooring to pass through the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab’s rigorous testing. Rachel Rothman, executive director of the GH Institute, said that laminate flooring proved to be very scratch and stain resistant in patterns that could easily be mistaken for hardwood flooring.
While the enhancements have driven up the cost of laminate a bit, especially at the higher end of the category, it’s still one of the most affordable flooring materials on the market. With tongue-and-groove planks, which snap together over any stable, smooth surface, it’s easy to put in. Although wood-look is the most popular, you can also choose stone or tile from major brands.
These are our top picks
Once you’ve taken a spin through our list of winners, read on for more about how we test flooring and advice on laminate flooring, including installation costs and the best places to shop.
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Best Laminate Flooring
Bruce
TimberTru Landscape Traditions
Thickness | 10mm |
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AC Rating | 4 |
Plank width | 8.03 inches |
The plank length | 47.64 inches |
Attached pad | Yes |
Laminate Flooring: Best Value
LL Flooring
Dream Home Pewter Oak Laminate Flooring
Thickness | 8mm |
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AC Rating | 3 |
Plank width | 7.64 inches |
The plank length | 50.63 in |
Attached pad | No |
Bathrooms: Laminate Flooring at its Best
Pergo
Elements
Thickness | 12mm |
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AC Rating | 4 |
Plank width | 7.5 inches |
The plank length | 47.25 inches |
Attached pad | Yes |
Laminate Flooring: The Best Lookin’
Shaw Floors
California Dreaming
Thickness | 12mm |
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AC rating | 3 |
The plank length | 50 inches |
Plank width | 7.50 inches |
Attached pad | Yes |
Most Durable Laminate Flooring
LL Flooring
Autumn Cider Oak Waterproof Laminate Flooring
Thickness | 12mm |
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AC rating | 4 |
Plank width | 7.5 inches |
The plank length | 50 inches |
Attached pad | No |
Best Laminate Flooring for Basements
Hartco
Go Back to Home
Thickness | 12mm |
---|---|
AC Rating | N/A |
Plank width | 8 inches |
The plank length | 47.64 inches |
Attached pad | Yes |
How do we test laminate flooring?
We began this project by surveying the marketplace to identify the flooring brands and products that you’re most likely to find in stores and online. Next we deployed a range of tests to assess flooring performance in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab.
To test for stain resistance, we apply mustard, chocolate and mud to laminate flooring samples. After that, they are allowed to dry overnight. After drying, we remove sticky substances using paper towels and all-purpose cleaning cleaner. Laminate flooring tends not to stain well.
To test water resistance, we pour two cups water on a laminate floor. Then let it sit for one hour. Because of their water-tight joints the best models have no sign of seepage.
Our experts have the best results with the abrasion tests. An abrasion machine is used to measure wear and scratch resistance. It uses fine-grit sandpaper that can be applied hundreds of times. Flooring with thick wear layers (say 20-mil) tends to have the highest wear-resistance.
A flooring’s resistance to dents and dings is measured using an impact machine. Lab’s accelerated climateing machine measures fade resistance. It uses intense UV lighting to simulate years of sunlight exposure. Our experts consider the ease of installation. They also take into account how easy the material can be cut and how well the tongue-and-groove profiles fit.
What should you look out for when selecting laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is often cheaper than the more expensive models. This can lead to a compromise in performance and looks. But that’s not always the case. Here are some additional factors that can help narrow down the ideal laminate.
✔️ Thickness: Laminate flooring that is 10mm to 12mm thick will generally last longer than laminate flooring that is 8mm or less. There are always exceptions though, so it’s good to check the AC rating, short for abrasion coefficient. Based on a 1 to 5 scale, this industry standard measures a floor’s ability to withstand scratches. Look for an AC of 3 and higher in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or mudroom. AC-1 and AC-2 can be used in areas that are rarely used, such as a guest bedroom.
✔️ Underlayment: Laminate flooring with an attached pad is better than laminate flooring without the need to use a separate underlayment. Basement floors that are damp may still require a polyethylene water barrier. The backing can be made of rubber, cork, foam or foam and will help muffle sounds. It is great for laminate floors being installed on an upper floor of the house.
✔️ Wood-look patterns: Most laminate flooring consists of a photo of actual wood that’s sandwiched between dense fiberboard and a clear-plastic protective wear layer. Although the most recent printing technology can produce authentic grain patterns, too many repetitions can lead to confusion. A typical pattern repeat is every six planks. However, laminate flooring can have a pattern repeat of 10, 12 or more to create a more realistic floor.
What is the cost of installing laminate flooring?
If you’re a capable DIYer, the answer to that question could be zero, excluding the cost of tools and materials. That’s because laminate is one of the easiest flooring materials to install; known as a floating system, it features planks that simply snap together with a tongue-and-groove profile. You can install it on any flat, solid surface such as concrete or wood, or even an existing vinyl or tile floor. Don’t get us wrong — a lot of complex measuring and cutting is needed to get the flooring just right. For some homeowners with the right skills, DIY is possible.
If you don’t have the time or skill set, Professional installation of laminate flooring costs on average $3,000According to ANGI, the online marketplace for home services, it is around $3-$8 per square foot. If you’re only doing a single room or area of the home, expect to spend $3 to $8 per square foot (that works out to $600 to $1,600 for a 200 square-foot kitchen). Variation is due to a variety of factors including the quality and condition of the substrate.
What’s the best place to shop for flooring?
Because laminate is a mass-market flooring product, it’s easy to find and you won’t have to deal with long lead times, unless you choose a specialty item. These are the top retailers.
✔️ The Home Depot The largest home center has more than 2,300 locations across the country, and carries a large selection of laminate flooring products. It’s a big seller of Pergo, a reputable brand that performed well in our latest tests. The Home Depot also offers installation service and a certified technician will even come take in-home measurements, so you don’t have to worry about getting the order wrong.
✔️ Lowe’s: The country’s second biggest home center is another safe bet for laminate flooring. The center offers a wide range of services, including professional installation, in-home measurements and design consultations.
✔️ LL Flooring Previously known as Lumber Liquidators. LL Flooring now has over 400 locations in 47 states. They also have an excellent website that allows you to easily find the right flooring for your home and even gives you up to four samples.
✔️ Floor & Décor: Though LL Flooring has the most locations, Floor & Décor sells the most flooring, so you’re guaranteed to find a wide selection of laminate floors at all price points. For those who want to save money by installing their own flooring, the site offers a large library of virtual tutorials.
Good Housekeeping is a trusted brand.
Dan DiClerico has been covering the residential flooring industry for over two decades. In that time, he has tested every major flooring material — not just laminate, but also vinyl, stone and all types of wood. He also wrote numerous articles on how to install and maintain floors. He works closely with professionals in order to fully understand the latest innovations and techniques. Dan attends trade shows and industry events regularly to keep up with current trends. Dan works closely with engineers and product experts to oversee all flooring testing. He also oversees consumer surveys that capture homeowner experiences with different flooring materials.
Home Improvement & Outdoor Director
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
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