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AC Rating System Laminate Flooring

AC Rating System: Understanding Your Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring remains to be a very popular choice among homeowners, with reason. Its functionality, resistance to moisture, and easy to maintain quality makes it an excellent flooring option for both residential and commercial spaces. However, there’s more to consider about laminate flooring than just the looks of it. Apart from appearance, one of the most important qualities of any flooring is durability. How well can it sustain foot traffic and stand the test of wear, tear, and time? When searching for the perfect laminate flooring, you’ll want to consider its AC rating, which stands for abrasion class. An AC rating measures the durability of laminate flooring. It indicates how well the laminate can withstand and resist impact, abrasion, stains, moisture, and burns. When shopping for laminate, it is beneficial to understand what each AC rating signifies and how to determine which is best for you home.

AC Rating System

The AC rating system initially began with the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (ELPF), and has now become a worldwide standard to measure durability. The AC rating scale divides into two groups or applications: residential and commercial. Each group is broken down into traffic intensity levels. Starting from least to most durable, the levels are moderate, general, and heavy.

Residential

  • AC1: Suitable for moderate foot traffic. This includes bedrooms, bathrooms, or closets.
  • AC2: Suitable for general foot traffic. Typically recommended for dining rooms, living rooms, or kitchens.
  • AC3: Suitable for heavy foot traffic. This rating is durable enough for all areas of your home, especially rooms that receive the most traffic.

Commercial

  • AC4: Suitable for moderate/general foot traffic in commercial spaces. This includes small offices, hotel rooms, cafés, salons, or boutiques.
  • AC5: Suitable for heavy foot traffic in commercial spaces. This type of laminate is most recommended for public buildings, department stores, warehouses, busy offices, etc.)

The higher the AC rating, the more durable the flooring. For this reason, AC1-AC3 laminate are the most recommended for homes. So, you can achieve both durability and comfort with these available options.

Determining AC Rating

In order to determine AC rating, laminate flooring goes through rigorous testing, known as the Taber Test. There are many elements that manufacturers keep in mind when testing the durability of laminate. Conducting the Taber test allows manufacturers to produce high quality flooring that is free from defects and proves to maintain superior performance.

Taber tests involve mounting a flat specimen onto a a platform that rotates at a fixed speed. Depending on the material being rotated, manufacturers are able to determine how well the laminate can sustain itself. The ability for laminate to pass the resistance test will establish its AC rating. Otherwise, if the laminate fails to pass, it will be labeled “unrated.” In other words, it is not a reliable flooring for residential and commercial areas.

Shopping for Laminate

Most homeowners assume that the thicker and more durable the laminate, the better for their home in terms of longevity. However, this is not always true. While there are durability benefits to higher rated laminate, there are also higher benefits to using AC1-AC3 laminate over higher ratings when it comes to your home. The higher the rating, the rougher and harder the texture is on the surface. Tough-standing floors are an excellent option for busy commercial traffic. However, high rated laminate is not recommended in homes, as it will provide discomfort underfoot and throughout the body overtime. For this reason, AC1-AC3 laminate gives homeowners flexibility when choosing the right material, while still being sufficiently durable to last. Have a plan of where you want to install the laminate flooring. This will make the shopping and decision process as smooth as possible

Benefits of Laminate

Laminate flooring is a versatile, environmentally friendly choice that is affordable and easy to maintain. It comes in a variety of styles, such as the simulated look of hardwood, ceramic, and natural stone. Laminate flooring is reusable and offers hassle-free installation. It is able to withstand UV rays, stiletto heels, furniture legs, cleaning solutions, and much more, as the flooring is fade, chemical, burn, wear, impact, and scratch resistant. Additionally, it can resist mold and mildew growth. At Go Mobile Flooring, we can install laminate over any existing flooring with the exception of carpet. 

The Go Mobile Flooring Variety

Every home speaks for itself when it comes to interior design and we have plenty of options readily available to homeowners. We maintain relationships with the best laminate flooring manufacturers in the country, and strive to educate our clients about their flooring options whenever possible. Not only do we believe in having the best laminate flooring manufacturers as partners, but we also believe in educating you in your decision. This process happens in three ways:

You can rely on our team of experts to guide you through your next project. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns regarding your home and are happy to help you reach your renovation dreams. Contact us today to get started!

Prepare For the Winter with Radiant Floor Heating Systems

Prepare For the Winter with Radiant Floor Heating Systems

Although Florida isn’t prone to snowy weather, it does get quite chilly. Everyone deserves to escape the bitterness of winter climate and come home to warm and comfy luxury. This winter, you can prepare by installing radiant floor heating systems. There are many different systems you and your family can consider. With radiant floor heating, your home will be warmer than ever. The cozier your home, the less dreadful your winter experience can be. Read on to learn more about how these systems will benefit you.Prepare For the Winter with Radiant Floor Heating Systems

Electric Radiant Heat

One way of installing heating systems is by electric radiant heat. A system of pipes and wires run below the surface of the floor and gently radiate heat into the room. Electric radiant heaters bring comfort to your feet and are very flexible when it comes to types of flooring. They are especially effective on flooring surfaces that tend to be naturally cool. For example, a bathroom. Check out one of our previous articles to see what heated flooring in your bathroom can do. Various techniques exist to install electric radiant heating systems such as by using rolls, cables, or floor mats.

Hydronic Heating Systems

Another method of installation is by hydronic heating. Having great energy efficiency, this alternative uses heated water through a system of tubes and is ideal for wiring an entire house. Not to mention, there are three different types of hydronic heating systems: baseboard, hydro-air, and hydronic radiant heating. Painted steel on the baseboard units hides hot water pipes that are surrounded by metal fins. This helps to radiate the heat. Similarly, hydronic radiant systems use hot water pumped through plastic tubing installed beneath the floor’s surface. As for hydro-air, ductwork and at least one air handler are required.

Air-Heated Radiant Flooring

Being the least common, air heated radiant systems circulate hot air as the heating method. However, because air can’t hold a great deal of heat, they are not commonly installed for residential purposes. Radiant heat does not change the air moisture content in the home. Therefore, humidifiers and heaters are no longer necessary in order to maintain a comfortable living space. This results in additional savings to your electricity bill.

Contact Us

Go Mobile Flooring has many flooring selections to consider. Electric radiant heating systems can be installed above any flooring type. Some better than others. Visit our website and contact us today to get started on a new project!

 

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

The kitchen is often the highest trafficked area in your home. Depending on the layout of your home, it might be the room that everyone passes through to get from the back porch to the living room to the second floor. Regardless of the layout, however, kitchens are busy; it’s where the food is, after all. Therefore, finding a durable, attractive flooring option for the kitchen is key. Let’s review some of the best kitchen flooring options available.

Best Kitchen Flooring Options

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring has many benefits, including being:

  • More stylish, easier on your feet, and longer-lasting
  • Easier to refinish and re-style to fit with changing interior home decor trends
  • Hardwood flooring often increases a home’s re-sell value

Tile

Tile flooring has similar benefits to hardwood, including durability and increased re-sell value. In addition, tile flooring also has:

  • More color options, including lighter choices like white, cream, and gray
  • Scratch-resistant and waterproof durability

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is one of the most flexible kitchen flooring options and offers more design choices at a lower price point. Additionally, vinyl flooring offers benefits such as:

  • It is easy-to-clean and durable
  • It is stain resistant, scratch resistant and fade-resistant
  • Different forms that give more design options, such as sheets for a seamless look, tiles, and planks to emulate the look of ceramic flooring or wood

Other Considerations for Kitchen Flooring

One of the other primary concerns when choosing kitchen floors is cost. High-end, luxury flooring can be cost-prohibitive for some families. The trick is to choose flooring that will last longer and is neutral enough to fit in with your design choices even as they change.

Additionally, it’s important to consider your climate – climates with high humidity or a tendency for more rain should look for waterproof options like tile. Hardwood flooring is much more conducive to dryer climates. However, if you are determined to have hardwood and you live in a wet climate, it’s important to note that water damage is relatively easy to repair.

Explore Options with Go Mobile Flooring

To find out more about flooring options for your kitchen, contact Go Mobile Flooring today. We are happy to bring our mobile showroom to your Tampa neighborhood including  Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco county communities.