Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring gives you a realistic wood or stone effect at an affordable price, with a tough surface that stands up to children, pets and everyday wear. Modern laminate uses detailed prints and textures that follow the grain, so it looks far more natural than the laminate of a few years ago, and it is one of the quickest floors to fit.
Our range covers oak laminate in every shade, from light oak and grey to dark oak and walnut, as well as tile and stone effects and patterned herringbone laminate. Choose 8mm, 10mm or 12mm boards, and wide planks for a modern, spacious look.
Our click laminate flooring locks together without glue and floats over an underlay, and some boards come with underlay attached. For kitchens and hallways, choose water-resistant laminate; most laminate also works with underfloor heating when you use the right underlay.
Not sure which floor is right? Order free samples and see them in your own light, or call our team on 020 3287 6206 for honest, no-pressure advice.
Duron Golden Oak Herringbone Laminate Flooring 12 x 101mm
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Duron Golden Oak Herringbone Laminate Flooring 12 x 101mm
How laminate flooring is made
Laminate is built in four layers: a balancing layer underneath to keep the board flat, a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core that gives it strength, a printed décor layer with the wood or stone design, and a clear, wear-resistant overlay on top. Embossed textures that follow the printed grain make the surface feel as well as look like wood.
How to choose laminate flooring
AC rating: how hard-wearing it is
Laminate is graded by how well its surface resists wear. AC3 suits every room in a busy home. AC4 handles heavier domestic use and general commercial areas such as shops and offices, and AC5 is built for heavy commercial traffic. A higher rating keeps its looks for longer in hallways and kitchens, and is the one to choose for commercial laminate flooring.
Thickness
Thicker boards feel more solid, sound quieter underfoot and are more forgiving of small dips in the subfloor. 8mm laminate is a good value choice for bedrooms; 10mm and 12mm suit living areas and busy hallways.
Edges and texture
Bevelled edges give each board a defined outline, like real wooden planks. Square edges make a smoother, more continuous floor. Textured surfaces that follow the grain look more natural and are less slippery; high-gloss laminate gives a sleek, reflective finish.
Water resistance
Standard laminate does not like standing water, which can make the core swell. For kitchens, hallways and utility rooms, choose a water-resistant laminate with sealed joints. For bathrooms and wet rooms, luxury vinyl is the better choice.
Laminate, vinyl or engineered wood?
All three can give you a wood look, but they suit different homes. Laminate is the most affordable and the most scratch-resistant, which makes it a favourite for busy family rooms, but it does not like water. Luxury vinyl costs a little more, is softer and warmer underfoot and copes with water, so it is the better choice for kitchens and bathrooms. Engineered wood has a real timber surface that can be sanded and refinished, so it lasts the longest and adds the most character, at a higher price.
Rooms and underfloor heating
Laminate works well in living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and, when water-resistant, kitchens. Most laminate can be laid over underfloor heating with an underlay designed for it; check the product page for the temperature limit.
Fitting laminate flooring
Laminate floats: the boards click together and rest on an underlay rather than being fixed to the subfloor. Let the packs settle in the room for a day or two, lay the boards on a flat, clean and dry subfloor, and leave an expansion gap at every wall and doorway. On concrete, use an underlay with a damp-proof membrane. Our laminate flooring underlay range and underlay advice help you pick the right one.
Finish the edges with skirting, scotia or laminate beading, and use door bars where the floor meets another room. Our installation guide and measuring guide walk you through the job, and many customers fit laminate themselves.
Care
Vacuum or sweep often, because grit is what wears a floor down. Clean with a well-wrung mop and a laminate floor cleaner, avoid soaking the floor, and do not use a steam mop. Want a real wood surface instead? See our engineered wood flooring.
FAQs on Laminate Flooring
It shows how well the surface resists wear. AC3 is suitable for every room in a busy home, AC4 for heavier use and general commercial areas, and AC5 for heavy commercial traffic.
Standard laminate is not waterproof and can swell if water sits on it. Water-resistant laminates with sealed joints cope with everyday spills in kitchens and hallways. For bathrooms, we recommend luxury vinyl.
8mm is a good value choice for bedrooms and lighter use. 10mm and 12mm boards feel more solid, sound quieter and hide small dips in the subfloor better, so they suit living areas and hallways.
Yes, unless the boards have an underlay already attached. Underlay evens out small bumps, reduces noise and adds comfort. On concrete, it should include a damp-proof membrane, and over underfloor heating, use one made for heating.
Yes. Click laminate is one of the easiest floors to fit yourself with basic tools. Prepare a flat, clean subfloor, lay a suitable underlay, leave an expansion gap at the walls and follow our installation guide.
Laminate is very scratch-resistant, which makes it a good choice for homes with pets. Choose a higher AC rating and a water-resistant board if accidents are likely, and wipe up spills promptly.
Most laminate can, with an underlay made for underfloor heating and the temperature kept within the manufacturer’s limit. Check the product page for each floor.
No. Steam and heat can get into the joints and make the boards swell. Use a damp, well-wrung mop and a cleaner made for laminate.
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