Laminate flooring's ability to withstand stains, abrasions, traffic, moisture and other factors determines where it lands on the internationally accepted Abrasion Class Rating system. AC categories range from AC1--laminates recommended for minimal-traffic areas, such as closets--to AC5, flooring used in high-traffic areas, such as malls and public buildings. An AC3 rating is the most common; AC3 laminate flooring is used primarily in homes and light-traffic buildings. Does this Spark an idea?
Installation Types
AC3 laminate flooring is installed as a glued or a glueless floating floor. Glueless floorboards lock together in a tongue-and-groove system and don’t need to be adhered to the subfloor. Glued AC3 laminate flooring is secured to the subfloor with flooring adhesive; some AC3 laminates have adhesives pre-applied. Glued AC3 laminate planks are almost impossible to pull apart.
Laminate installed in moisture-prone areas needs an underlayment. Some AC3 laminates have an underlayment attached and can simply be snapped into place over the subfloor.
Preparing for Installation
AC3 laminate flooring needs time to acclimate to the installation space; typically, it's kept in the room for 48 to 96 hours before it's installed. The room temperature during this time should be between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity between 35 and 65 percent. Store the AC3 laminate away from windows, doors and vents and out of direct sunlight while it's acclimating.
Subfloors and any existing flooring that isn’t going to be removed should be level and sound; high spots can be sanded down and dips or low spots leveled with a self-leveling compound. Existing flooring that should be removed includes carpeting, padding and any damaged flooring materials. Installation surfaces should be scraped, swept and mopped. An underlayment, either applied to the subfloor or preattached to the AC3 laminate, is recommended for subfloors that could collect moisture.
Installation Pointers
AC3 laminate flooring should be inspected when it is received. Discolored or damaged planks can be kept and modified for use. Damaged areas can be cut off and the undamaged remainder used to start new rows; slightly discolored boards can be installed in closets or other inconspicuous areas.
Avoid installing AC3 laminate flooring planks with "H" joints. The board length should be no shorter than two to three times the width of a plank, usually between eight and 10 inches when starting a row. Staggering the end-joints in adjacent rows so they are a minimum of three times the width of a board can help achieve a natural, staggered look.
Leave a 1/4-inch gap around the perimeter of the installation space. All wood-based flooring materials, such as AC3 laminates, contract and expand depending on the humidity levels. The 1/4-inch perimeter is usually covered by baseboards and molding. Without a 1/4-inch expansion gap, AC3 laminate flooring will still expand and contract, but could buckle instead of expanding into the gap.
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