Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices for modern homes because it is durable, stylish, and easy to maintain. At Carpet Express, we supply and install a wide range of laminate flooring in Dublin, Kildare and further afield. We specialise in high quality, budget friendly solutions. Our highly skilled in-house fitting team ensures every installation meets our high standards, giving customers peace of mind and a seamless experience from measure to completion.
Need to Know
Laminate flooring can have a really long lifespan, so it's important that you choose the right one for your space. Our team has over 40 years of experience, so we're here to help.
Laminate Plank Size
Laminate flooring comes in many different shapes and sizes. The most relevant considerations for you are the plank thickness and plank length. Thickness can determine how strong and hard wearing your floors are, but these are ultimately graded by the AC Rating. Normal length planks are usually about 1200mm long, while extra long planks are usually over 2000mm in length. This additional length may reduce the amount of laminate required in a room, elongate the space, and appear more luxurious, while normal planks are usually more cost effective.
AC Rating
AC stands for 'Abrasion Coefficient'. This demonstrated what level of wear and tear a floor can endure by testing its resistance to traffic, moving furniture, impact, heat and moisture.
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AC1 is suitable for very low traffic areas, e.g. Bedrooms.
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AC2 is suitable for low traffic areas eg. Bedrooms, Dining rooms etc.
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AC3 is suitable for low to moderate levels of traffic in a residential area including hallways, living rooms, etc.
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AC4 is suitable for small commercial spaces such as offices, salons etc. It also covers any residential use with ease of mind.
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AC5 is very durable and covers commercial areas that have a high level of footfall e.g. Restaurants, retail spaces, etc.
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AC6 covers floors for extreme commercial use. e .g. Public buildings and busy retail spaces such as busy stores or offices.
Water Resistant Laminate Flooring
Laminate floors are made from paper. Therefore, water resistance is extremely important to ensure your floors last as long as you want them to. Water resistance is determined by the manufacturing process and the clicking system used to join the boards together. '100% Water Resistant' laminate floors should be treated with caution, no matter who you buy your floors from. We value honesty and repeat business, so you can be certain that our laminate floors have been tested and adequately graded.
Herringbone vs Straight Plank Laminate Flooring
Herringbone and straight plank are two of the most popular laminate flooring styles. Straight plank laminate is the most common choice for modern homes, where boards are installed in a continuous direction to create a clean and consistent look. This style works well in most rooms and is typically quicker and more cost effective to install.
Herringbone laminate flooring is installed in a repeating zigzag pattern, which creates a more decorative and traditional appearance often associated with parquet floors. While herringbone can add visual interest and character to a space, straight plank laminate flooring remains the most practical and versatile option for many homes, particularly in larger areas such as living rooms, hallways, and open plan spaces.
Both styles are available in a wide range of colours, finishes, and plank sizes, allowing homeowners to choose the laminate flooring design that best suits their interior.
Underlay for Laminate Flooring
Underlay is an essential part of any laminate flooring installation. It sits between the laminate boards and the subfloor and helps improve comfort, reduce noise, and protect the flooring. Choosing the right laminate flooring underlay ensures your floor feels more comfortable underfoot, sounds quieter when walked on, and remains stable for many years.
Foam underlay
Foam underlay is one of the most common and affordable options for laminate flooring. Foam underlay provides basic cushioning, helps reduce sound from footsteps, and improves overall comfort.
Gold foil / "acoustic" underlay
For busy households, upstairs rooms, or apartments, a high density acoustic underlay for laminate flooring is often recommended. Gold foil or acoustic underlay provides improved sound insulation and creates a more solid feel underfoot. This type of noise reducing laminate underlay helps reduce sound travelling between floors, making it a popular choice for bedrooms, hallways, and multi storey homes.
Choosing the best underlay for laminate flooring depends on the room, the subfloor, and how the space is used. The correct underlay can improve comfort, reduce noise, and help protect your laminate flooring for many years. At Carpet Express, we can help you choose the right laminate flooring underlay for your home, ensuring a professional installation and a comfortable, long lasting result.