Published on: 7 September 2026
8 min read
The best laminate flooring for your home is not necessarily the thickest, highest-rated or most expensive option. The right choice depends on the room, foot traffic, moisture exposure and the features you are paying for.
At Flooring To Go, we recommend starting with how the space will be used. From there, AC rating, use class, thickness and water resistance help narrow the options that best suit your space.
What Makes the Best Laminate Flooring for a UK Home?
Four factors matter most:
- Foot traffic
- Likely spills
- Wet shoes
- Subfloor suitability
- Budget
A thicker board is not automatically more wear-resistant. A high AC rating does not automatically make a floor suitable for moisture. A premium price does not guarantee every extra feature will be useful in your room.
For a quiet bedroom, an appropriate 7mm or 8mm laminate may be enough. A busy hallway or open-plan kitchen may need greater wear resistance, better water protection or both.
Why Choose Laminate Flooring for Your Home?
Laminate gives you a broad choice of timber-effect styles and price points. Our ranges include straight planks, embossed wood effects and herringbone designs, with products specified for different levels of domestic use.
Selected ranges of laminate flooring also add features such as enhanced water resistance or compatibility with underfloor heating. Compare performance as well as colour and finish when shortlisting.y Milton Keynes families and commercial property owners who need flooring that looks professional without demanding constant attention.
What Does an AC Rating Mean on Laminate Flooring?
An AC rating describes a laminate floor’s resistance to abrasion. A higher rating means greater resistance to surface wear, but AC rating is not an overall quality score.
AC Ratings Explained Simply
| AC Rating | Application | Best Use Case |
| AC1 | Light Residential | Made for low-traffic rooms like guest bedrooms. |
| AC2 | Moderate Residential | General residential areas with low foot traffic, such as dining rooms. |
| AC3 | Heavy Residential | Busy home spaces like living rooms, hallways, and bedrooms with pets or kids. |
| AC4 | Light Commercial | Designed for moderate commercial use or very busy homes with heavy foot traffic. |
| AC5 | Heavy Commercial | Built for heavy-duty commercial zones like offices, shops, or department stores. |
| AC6 | Extreme Commercial | Rare and reserved for heavy industrial or high-traffic public spaces like airports. |
AC Rating vs Use Class
Use class describes the level of use a floor is intended to handle. Under EN 13329, domestic laminate classifications run from Class 21 for lighter domestic use to Class 23 for intense domestic use.
Our Furlong Urban 8mm laminate is listed as Class 23 for heavy domestic use and Class 32 for general commercial use.
A high abrasion rating still does not tell you whether a floor has enhanced water resistance, how thick it is or whether it suits your installation conditions.
What Thickness of Laminate Flooring Is Best?
Laminate thickness commonly ranges from around 7mm to 12mm, but the thickest option is not automatically the best one.
7mm and 8mm Laminate
A 7mm or 8mm floor can be suitable when the rest of its specification matches the room. Our Every Room Forest Trail is a 7mm laminate listed as Class 23 heavy domestic, while Furlong Urban is 8mm and listed as Class 23 heavy domestic and Class 32 general commercial.
10mm and 12mm Laminate
Thicker boards can provide a more substantial feel. Our Furlong Elite XL is a 12mm laminate with an AC5 abrasion rating.
Does Thicker Laminate Last Longer?
Not necessarily. Wear resistance, moisture, installation conditions, product construction and traffic all influence performance. Compare the whole specification before deciding whether an 8mm or 12mm product offers better value.
Which Laminate Flooring Is Best for Each Room?
Start with traffic and moisture, then check whether the individual product is designed for those conditions.
| Room | What to prioritise | Practical guidance |
| Bedroom | Light to moderate traffic | A suitable 7-8mm domestic laminate may be enough where moisture risk is low. |
| Living room | Regular daily use | Check domestic-use classification first, then choose thickness and finish. |
| Hallway or entrance | Heavy traffic, shoes and grit | Prioritise wear performance and consider wet footwear. |
| Kitchen | Traffic and spills | Check higher domestic-use suitability and stated water protection. |
| Open-plan family area | Mixed traffic, pets and spills | Choose for the highest-demand part of the space. |
Water-Resistant vs Waterproof Laminate Flooring
Water performance should be checked separately from thickness and abrasion resistance. Terms such as water-resistant and waterproof are product-specific.
| Product description | What it means | What to check |
| Standard laminate | No enhanced water-performance claim should be assumed. | Use only in conditions allowed by the manufacturer. |
| Water-resistant laminate | The range has a stated level or period of moisture resistance. | Check the exact claim, time limit and room suitability. |
| Waterproof or watertight range | The manufacturer makes a stronger water-performance claim for that range. | Check fitting requirements, exclusions and approved areas of use. |
Furlong Urban is listed with 24-hour water resistance and Furlong River with 72-hour water resistance. Both are 8mm products, showing why thickness alone cannot tell you how a floor will perform around moisture.
Quick-Step also makes stronger water-performance claims for selected ranges, including Impressive. For kitchens, entrances and other spill-prone areas, follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the product you are considering.
Which Type of Laminate Flooring Should You Choose?
Once the required performance is clear, narrow the choice by format and finish.
Standard Plank Laminate
Straight planks give you the familiar appearance of timber floorboards and suit a wide range of interiors.
Herringbone Laminate
Herringbone creates a more decorative pattern while retaining laminate construction. We stock herringbone laminate for homeowners who want a more distinctive design.
Enhanced-Performance Laminate
Some ranges add stronger water protection, abrasion resistance, locking systems or manufacturer-specific surface technology. Pay for those features when they solve a real requirement in your room.
How Much Should You Spend on Laminate Flooring?
Our current laminate range spans different price points and specifications. Furlong Urban is currently listed at £15.99/m², Furlong Elite XL at £22.99/m² and Quick-Step Impressive at £38.99/m².
- Budget laminate: can suit rooms with modest demands where the use specification is right.
- Mid-range laminate: may add thicker construction, water resistance, higher use classifications or more finish choices.
- Premium laminate: can reflect manufacturer technology, surface detail, moisture protection, pattern or locking systems.
The best value is usually the lowest-priced option that comfortably meets the demands of your room.
What Should You Check Before Buying Laminate Flooring?
Before ordering your laminate flooring, check:
- Subfloor condition: make sure the surface meets the manufacturer’s preparation requirements.
- Moisture risk: decide whether the room needs enhanced water resistance or another flooring type.
- Underlay: choose underlay that suits the laminate, subfloor and fitting method.
- Floor height: allow for the laminate and underlay around doors and adjoining floors.
- Underfloor heating: confirm product compatibility and temperature limits.
- Installation method: read the fitting requirements before deciding between DIY and professional installation.
A thicker board or extra underlay should not be used instead of correcting an unsuitable subfloor. We can help answer your questions on measuring, quotations, product selection and installation if you are unsure what the project needs.
When Is Laminate Flooring Not the Best Choice?
If frequent moisture or standing water is a major concern, compare the exact laminate specification with alternatives such as luxury vinyl tile. The same applies if the installation conditions conflict with the laminate manufacturer’s requirements.
Because we supply both laminate and LVT, we can help you compare the two. Our Luxury Vinyl Tile guide is a useful next step if moisture performance is one of your main priorities.
How to Choose the Best Laminate Flooring for Your Home
Use this order to narrow the choice:
- Start with the room. Identify the level of traffic and likely moisture exposure.
- Assess household use. Factor in children, pets, garden access and regular spills.
- Check wear and use classification. Match abrasion resistance and intended use to the space.
- Check moisture protection. Look at the exact water-performance claim where needed.
- Compare thickness and format. Decide whether board depth, plank style or herringbone adds useful value.
- Compare price last. Choose the lowest-priced option that comfortably meets the requirements.
A 12mm board is not automatically better than an 8mm one, and AC5 is not automatically necessary for every home.
Transform Your Home with Laminate Flooring from Flooring To Go
When you are ready to choose laminate flooring, we can help you compare straight-plank, herringbone and enhanced-performance options for your room and budget.
Visit our Milton Keynes showroom at 9 Cochran Close, Crownhill, Milton Keynes, MK8 0AJ to compare colours, textures and samples. We can also help with measuring, quotations and installation support.
Or browse our online range for UK-wide shipping.
Call us on 0800 2461819 to discuss your project, request samples or arrange a quotation.
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