Laminate Abrasion Criteria (AC Ratings) Explained
Have you ever checked through a range of laminate flooring and spotted an AC rating? You probably asked “what do these ratings mean? Laminate floors are given ratings relating to their durability and suitability of use. The internationally accepted classification of laminate flooring durability is the Abrasion Criteria or ‘AC’ Rating.
AC stands for Abrasion Criteria.  It means products have been tested for durability for abrasion, stains and burns and impact resistance. AC stands for Abrasion Class, and it was introduced by the European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). Most laminates are now graded with an AC rating, which is a much more accurate measure of how tough and durable a particular laminate is.
Laminates will endure a series of tests to determine how well the floor will stand up to wear and tear – in both residential and commercial settings. These tests include the floor’s resistance to abrasion, impact, stains and burns. It must pass certain levels of criteria to achieve a rating. Failing on any of the criteria will prevent the floor from achieving that rating. Each time it passes, it will be tested more stringently to achieve the succeeding rating.
The abrasion classes range from AC1 to AC6, with AC6 being the most durable. They can be divided into both residential and commercial application.  The higher the AC number the more resistant to wear it becomes.  A general rule of thumb is an AC1 would be for low to moderate traffic in a residential application. An AC2 rating (Class 22) rated laminate flooring is one step above the AC1 level, meaning that it is most suitable for domestic settings again, but for areas within the home that see higher footfall but not a huge amount of wear tear. On the other hand, an AC3 rating (Class 23/31) is ideal in moderate trafficked living rooms, conservatories, hallways , moderate foot traffic areas with low amounts of wear and tear such as dining rooms .AC4 (Class 32): would be classified as moderate commercial or higher residential use. For residential an AC4 would be suitable for families with higher traffic and general trafficked commercial spaces such as offices, cafes, salons and boutiques or residential spaces. AC5 rating (Class 33), would be ideal on busy areas requiring medium to heavy traffic resistance such as retail stores, showrooms, restaurants and schools. AC6 rating (Class 34): Very heavy intensive trafficked areas such as supermarkets, airport terminals and public-facing government buildings.
Impact Resistant:
When looking to buy a new laminate floor, the thickness of the laminate isn’t always the best measure of its durability or lifespan. Our Laminates have TitanX™ surface protection together with a dense core material that will keep its elegant finish year in and year out. TitanX™ is a multilayer technology that includes protective and impact layers of aluminum oxides particles, which provides superior protection to wear, scratching and high resistance for handling dropped objects and high heels.
Our AC Ratings
Here at Floor Décor Kenya, we only sell Pergo® the inventor of laminate flooring with an AC rating of AC4 and above. This ensures high durability, without compromising on the authentic look of the flooring. We offer a whole Pergo® range of laminate flooring with a great variety of style, color, and textures. We believe in quality, versatility and natural effect and provide customers with timely updated designs to their market taste. We help consumers understand the differences between the vast laminate flooring types out there and make informed purchases to get the perfect floor.