Blog>Expert Advice>Your laminate flooring guide: choosing and installing your laminate flooring
Last updated: 10 February 2025
Your laminate flooring guide: choosing and installing your laminate flooring
In need of some solid laminate flooring advice? You’re in the right place. Our laminate flooring guide covers all you need to know about choosing and installing your new floor.
Laminate flooring is a stylish and practical option for your home. But how do you know what type to choose? And who should install it?
In this laminate flooring guide, we’ll give you tips and laminate flooring advice to help you every step of the way.
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate is a man-made flooring option constructed from a particleboard wood base, an image layer and a resin top layer, all sandwiched together.
It’s a staple in millions of homes in the UK because it’s low-maintenance, versatile and looks great. The image layer is basically a digital reproduction of wood or stone, so it looks as close as possible to the real deal.
This is then covered by the clear protective resin top layer, which guards it from wear and tear. In this way, it’s a fantastic alternative to more expensive flooring options like wood or stone.
What are the pros and cons of laminate flooring?
If you’re wondering whether laminate flooring is for you, don’t worry. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
Benefits of laminate flooring
Laminate flooring can be a fantastic choice in so many homes. Some of the biggest benefits include:
Durable
Laminate flooring is scratch-resistant, which makes it ideal for busy homes with children and pets.
It can also be extremely durable. All laminate flooring comes with an AC rating that tells you how strong it is – AC 5 is the highest rating and is suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces like department stores and large offices.
Easy to maintain
Laminate flooring is extremely easy to maintain. You only need a microfibre spray mop and a specialist floor cleaner to get your floor sparkling clean.
Just be careful not to use too much water. This is because exposure to too much moisture can cause damage and lifting in the long run.
Cost-effective
Laminate is a fantastic, cost-effective alternative to real wood flooring.
After all, it looks like the real deal but can be purchased at a fraction of the cost.
Aesthetically pleasing
Laminate flooring is available in a wide range of colours, effects and finishes.
So, there’s an option to suit every taste and every style of home.
Easy to install
Laminate is generally quick and easy to install, as it usually just clicks and locks into place.
Most of the time, you can simply lay laminate as a floating floor, which means it won’t be fixed to the subfloor with adhesive. Just bear in mind that you may still need to level your subfloor first, for instance using screed.
Versatile
Laminate flooring is an extremely versatile flooring option that will work in any room of the house – although you should make sure it’s rated AC 5 if you want to use laminate in the bathroom. More on AC ratings later!
It’s even suitable for use with underfloor heating and will cope with all kinds of furniture on top of it.
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Disadvantages of laminate flooring
As wonderful as laminate flooring is, there are a couple of small downsides to consider.
Less authentic
Most laminate flooring is designed to look and feel like wood. But of course, it’s not the real thing.
With that in mind, if you’re looking for flooring that looks completely genuine, only real wood flooring will do.
Lifespan
Laminate has a long lifespan of 15-25 years. That said, real wood flooring can last even longer, as you can sand and refinish it.
Although laminate flooring is difficult to scratch or dent, you won’t be able to refinish it if it does get damaged.
What are the different types of laminate flooring?
Once you’ve decided to go for laminate flooring, you’ll need to decide what type you want.
Laminate flooring comes in many different shapes, sizes, styles and colours. There will be an option that suits your tastes and the style of your home.
Here are some of the main laminate flooring options you can choose from.
Laminate flooring effects
Laminate flooring can mimic all sorts of different types of wood – from oak to bamboo, chestnut to walnut – and in many different shades.
It can even mimic tiles!
Laminate floor finishes
It’s also possible to get laminate flooring that mimics a range of different real wood finishes.
For instance, you can choose laminate flooring that’s embossed, hand-scraped or varnished.
Laminate flooring styles
Laminate floors come in all the same styles as real wood floors.
Choose from wide or narrow planks, or make a statement with herringbone or chevron parquet flooring. You can even get tile planks to replicate the look of real tiles.
Laminate floor edging options
To make your laminate floor look even more authentic, you can select from a range of different bevelled edges.
This means that planks have slightly rounded edges so that there’s a groove between them when they sit next to one another. Often, flooring suppliers will offer a normal bevel, a micro-bevel and even a deep bevel, which all provide slightly different looks.
As well as considering the type of bevel, you’ll need to look at how many edges are bevelled – while some laminate flooring will feature a bevel on all four sides of a plank, others will only feature it on two sides (or not at all).
Laminate flooring AC ratings
As we’ve touched upon already, laminate floors all come with an AC rating to tell you how strong and durable they are. Ratings range from AC 1 to AC 5.
Floors that are rated AC 1 are the least durable. These are only really suitable for areas with moderate traffic, such as guest bedrooms.
On the other hand, floors that are rated AC 5 are the most durable. These are suitable for heavy traffic in commercial spaces.
AC 3 is usually adequate for a high-traffic area of the home, like a hallway. But you should opt for AC 5 if you want to install laminate in a high-moisture area such as a bathroom.
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How to choose laminate flooring
So, now you know all the different laminate flooring options. But how do you pick the perfect flooring for your needs?
Here are three questions that we think might help.
What do you want your space to look like?
Instead of just looking at the various laminate flooring options, make sure to consider how they might work with the other elements in your space.
For instance, a rustic style of laminate flooring might work best in an older building. Meanwhile, a modern home might suit a more slick and modern finish, for instance, without bevels.
Similarly, think about how the colour and effect will complement your furniture, the existing features in your home and the size of your space.
While light colours can make a small room feel bigger, warm wood tones can help to make a larger space feel cosy and intimate.
What are your requirements?
Don’t forget to factor in your practical requirements when it comes to laminate flooring.
For instance, how much traffic will your floor have to withstand? Do you have children and pets in the home? These factors will all impact the AC rating you need.
Similarly, are you planning to install your laminate flooring in an area prone to high moisture levels, like a bathroom? Or do you need it to work with underfloor heating?
It’s always safest to check the specification of any laminate flooring you’re considering to make sure it’s suitable for your needs. While most laminate flooring is suitable for underfloor heating, always check your specific flooring to be absolutely certain.
What’s your budget?
As with any home improvement project, marrying your tastes and needs with your budget can be a careful balancing act.
Laminate flooring costs usually get higher the more thick, durable and realistic-looking it is.
But remember, making sure your flooring is suitable for the practical needs of your home will save you money in the long run.
Laminate should last for 15-25 years. The last thing you want is to replace it sooner because the laminate you chose wasn’t durable enough to withstand the traffic of your home.
What’s the best place to get laminate flooring?
A professional flooring contractor or carpenter will be able to help you choose the right laminate flooring for your needs, supply it for you and install it to a high standard.
But how do you find the best laminate flooring fitters in your area? Here are our top tips.
1. Read reviews
Always check to see what other homeowners have said about any flooring companies or contractors in your area before hiring them.
That way, you can make sure to choose somebody that other homeowners rate.
2. Ask about their experience
Ask any flooring specialists near you about their experience installing laminate floors.
It’s also worth asking for pictures of other similar projects. That way, you can be confident they have the skills and experience needed to install your specific flooring to a high standard.
3. Check their insurance
All tradespeople should have insurance to protect them – and you – in case things go wrong.
Luckily, all Checkatrade members have to have up-to-date public liability insurance in order to be listed on our directory. So, you know you’re protected if the worst happens.
4. Ask for recommendations
Have you recently admired a friend or family member’s new laminate floor? Ask them who installed it for them.
It’s always worth getting a recommendation from someone you trust. But be sure to cross-reference recommendations on Checkatrade too. That way, you know your contractor has also been vetted and approved by us!
5. Get multiple quotes
We recommend getting at least three quotes from experienced laminate flooring fitters near you.
This will allow you to get a feel for a range of different contractors. Plus, you can make sure you’re getting a fair and competitive price for the work.
6. Use Checkatrade!
Finding the best laminate flooring fitters in your area is quick and easy with Checkatrade.
All our members have to pass up to 12 checks so you know they’re the real deal. Plus, they regularly get reviewed by homeowners on everything from punctuality to professionalism.
Better yet, when you book a trade through Checkatrade, their work is guaranteed for up to 12 months (exclusions and T&Cs apply).
Get laminate flooring advice from a professional
Ready and raring to revamp your flooring and transform your home?
Start the ball rolling by getting laminate flooring advice from an expert fitter near you.
Just enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a list of some of the best laminate flooring fitters in your area.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job