Hardness and StabilityLaminate

Laminate Hardness

All respected manufacturers of laminate flooring will be part of the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (AEPL), which is the world’s primary rating body for laminate flooring. All laminate flooring submitted for rating will be tested for staining and impact as well as an examination of the effects of small burns. Other tests include checking for water absorption and swelling, and the abrasion of furniture legs and castors.

When the laminate flooring passes these basic tests, it is given a graduated AC rating system. All FERMA laminate floors are AC compliant with ratings of AC 2 , AC 3 or AC4.

Although higher rated laminate floorings can be used for residential settings, they have coarser texture and are not comfortable or suitable for bare or stocking feet.

Unrated – Unrated laminate floor are floors that did not pass the initial test to receive an AC rating.

AC 1 – Suitable for light foot traffic area in residential settings such as bedrooms.

AC 2 – Stronger than AC1, it is suitable for residential use with normal foot traffic such as formal dining rooms and living rooms.

AC 3 – Usable for all residential setting and also suitable for light traffic professional settings such as offices.

AC 4 – Suitable for commercial setting such as shops and moderate traffic offices.

Molding