What are Laminate AC Ratings?
Many people assume that because a certain laminate is thicker or has a longer warranty, that it is more
durable and longer-lasting. This is not necessarily the case. That is why the European Producers of
Laminate Flooring (EPLF) have developed the Abrasion Rating System (AC). Most laminate flooring
manufacturers belong to the Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF). This
cooperative effort was formed to develop industry standards and provide consumers a means of
identifying the durability and usage level of various laminate flooring product.
The common term used to denote the durability level of laminate flooring is its, Abrasion Criteria or “AC”
rating. AC ratings are an abbreviated representation of a laminate’s overlay film resistance to abrasion,
impact, stains and cigarette burns. The ratings also indicate that the product has been tested for the
effects of furniture legs, castors, and swelling along its edges. When a laminate flooring product has a
rating, then it has passed all of the test criteria. Failing just one test will disqualify a product.
The AC rating levels are designated AC1 through AC5. Each is represented by international pictographs
reflecting the product’s application and durability. The primary application is divided into two groups:
residential and commercial. Each group is further divided into traffic intensity levels: moderate, general,
or heavy. An AC1 rating which is the lowest should only be used in light-traffic area’s. At the other end
of the scale is AC5 which is produced for the commercial market and for use in very high-traffic area’s. A
laminate flooring rating of AC2 or AC3 is found on flooring tailored to the domestic and residential
market. As can be seen, Laminate ratings are beneficial to customers for product comparison shopping.
If you are tempted by some very cheap laminate flooring, be cautious, you may find that it hasn't
received any type of AC rating indicating it failed to meet the minimum requirements. During product
testing, if it fails on just one single test, then approval for that laminate flooring rating is denied. For
residential use, a rating of AC3 is perfectly adequate. Typically the higher the laminate flooring rating,
the higher the price may be.
The test devised for abrasion resistance is the European standard (EN13329)
A similar but separate Taber Test is also used to establish abrasion or ware ratings for hardwood floor
finishes.
Typical Laminate composition highlighting the top film overlay subject to AC testing
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The following is a breakdown of the Abrasion Criteria or AC ratings, associated
symbols and some suitable uses:
The residential rating is designated by a pictograph of a house and the commercial rating by a building. To the
right of those is a pictograph of one, two, or three people corresponding to the traffic intensity levels. Below the
person or people is a numerical equivalent of the pictographs. The first digit indicates the primary application: 2 for
residential, 3 for commercial. The second digit indicates the traffic intensity level: 1 for moderate, 2 for general, 3
for heavy.
AC 1
House, One Person, 21 (Residential, Moderate Traffic: Suitable
for bedrooms or guest rooms)
AC 2
Residential, General Traffic: Suitable for living rooms or dining
rooms
AC 3
Residential, Heavy Traffic: Suitable for all areas
AC 3
Commercial, Moderate Traffic: Hotel rooms, small office
AC 4
Commercial, General Traffic: Office, boutique, café
AC 5
Commercial, Heavy Traffic: Public buildings, department stores
Note that products with an AC3 rating can be used for all residential applications as well as moderate
commercial applications. Of course, AC4 and AC5 rated products could also be used in all residential
areas. However, in some cases the course surface texture of these products may be too rough for bare
feet. In fact, there have actually been reports of people wearing holes in their socks from laminate
flooring rated higher than AC3.
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What are the AC ratings for Dream Home Laminates?
All Laminates will have a AC rating of #3 except for the following;
Utopia 6mm Economical 10yr warranty AC1
Kensington Manor 12mm 10 yr Warranty AC2
St. James Collection Stratton Mountain Maple 12mm 10 yr warranty AC2
St. James Collection 12mm 10 yr warranty, Congress Avenue Crimson,
Has a High Gloss urethane top finish, AC ratings do not apply
Charisma Plus 9.5mm 25yr warranty AC4
