Find out what is laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is a multi-layer flooring product built around a compressed fiberboard core. A decorative layer creates the timber appearance, while the wear layer protects the surface against everyday use.

However, the quality of the inner core is extremely important. From an installer’s point of view, we look for a tightly compressed, high-density HDF core together with a strong and accurate locking system.

The boards connect to create a floating floor rather than being permanently fixed to the substrate. This makes correct subfloor preparation, underlay and expansion gaps particularly important.

Modern laminate is available in many specifications, including 8mm and 12mm boards, AC4 and AC5 wear ratings, V-groove finishes and water-resistant ranges.

Read our complete guide to what laminate flooring is and how it is constructed.

8mm vs 12mm Laminate Flooring

We don’t believe that every customer automatically needs 12mm flooring.

A good 8mm AC4 laminate is an excellent option when you are working within a budget and want an attractive upgrade without dropping to a very low specification. This is why we would rather offer customers a quality 8mm product than recommend a cheaper 6mm or 7mm board purely because of its price.

12mm laminate provides a noticeably more substantial feeling underfoot. Most South African homes are built on concrete substrates, and in our experience the additional thickness creates a more comfortable and quieter feel, particularly in bedrooms where people frequently walk without shoes.

Thickness is only one part of the specification. The quality of the HDF core, locking system, AC rating and water resistance still need to be considered.

Compare the different construction options in our laminate flooring boards guide.

AC4 vs AC5 – Which Rating Do You Need?

The AC rating indicates the level of wear a laminate surface is designed to withstand.

For the products we sell, we generally prefer AC4 or AC5. A quality AC4 board provides a strong specification for normal residential use, while AC5 is particularly attractive for heavier traffic and commercial applications.

One mistake we regularly see is residential customers choosing almost entirely according to colour while commercial customers pay much more attention to the AC rating.

Colour is obviously important, but it shouldn’t be the only consideration. A beautiful floor still needs to be suitable for the amount of traffic and the conditions in which it will be installed.

Our consultants can help you compare the specifications of the different products in our laminate flooring collection.

Price of Laminate Flooring

The price of laminate flooring varies according to thickness, AC rating, construction, brand, plank size, water resistance and the particular collection.

However, price per square metre should never be considered on its own.

We regularly see customers comparing inexpensive 6mm or 7mm AC3 products with higher-specification 8mm AC4 flooring as though the products are identical. They aren’t.

Because we import and purchase flooring in volume, we can often offer stronger specifications at competitive prices. Our objective is affordable quality rather than simply finding the lowest-priced board available.

The total project cost can also include underlay, skirtings, profiles, labour and any required subfloor preparation.

See our current laminate flooring prices or browse our laminate flooring sale page for selected deals.

Subfloor and Moisture Requirements

The condition underneath the flooring is one of the most important parts of a successful installation.

We require the subfloor to be sufficiently level, stable and dry before installation. If the surface is uneven, movement can place stress on the locking system and eventually cause joints or boards to fail.

Moisture also needs to be checked properly. A concrete or screeded floor can appear dry while still containing excessive moisture, which is why moisture testing forms an important part of assessing the installation area.

We don’t use soft or thick underlay as a solution for an uneven floor. Underlay has a different job. If levelling is required, the subfloor should be correctly prepared first.

We also don’t recommend installing laminate directly over carpet. Carpet creates excessive movement underneath the floating floor and can place unnecessary stress on the locking system.

Learn more about the role of laminate flooring underlay and professional floor preparation.

Where Should Laminate Flooring Be Installed?

Laminate flooring in South Africa performs particularly well in dry interior spaces such as bedrooms, studies, passages, offices and suitable living areas.

We are more cautious about kitchens, bathrooms and areas with a high risk of water exposure. In fact, in our own homes we favour laminate particularly strongly for bedrooms because of its warm appearance and comfortable feel underfoot.

Water can enter around sliding doors, external walls, plumbing appliances and other vulnerable areas. Once water travels underneath a floating floor, it can remain trapped there and cause damage.

For this reason, the correct flooring choice should be based on the actual conditions of the room rather than simply whether a product is marketed as water resistant.

How to Recognize Quality Laminate Flooring

When we assess laminate flooring, we look at much more than the décor on the surface.

A quality board should have a dense, tightly compressed HDF core. We also pay close attention to the locking system. Experienced installers can often feel the difference between a strong locking profile and a weak one while fitting the floor.

Weaker systems may break during installation, leave fine gaps or even lock unevenly, with one side of a joint closing while the opposite side remains slightly open.

We also prefer V-groove flooring. Laminate naturally expands and contracts. A defined V-groove gives each board a deliberate joint line from the beginning rather than relying on a completely seamless appearance.

AC rating and water resistance complete the picture. This is why we encourage customers to compare the complete board specification rather than buying according to colour or country of origin alone.

Our laminate flooring boards guide explains these features in greater detail.

If you’re unsure which specification is right for your home, read our practical guide on how to choose laminate flooring, including what to look for in board thickness, AC ratings, HDF core quality, water resistance and locking systems.

Read about water-resistant laminate flooring

One of the most important distinctions we make with customers is that a water-resistant board does not make the complete installed floor waterproof.

Modern water-resistant laminate flooring in South Africa can provide useful protection against everyday spills when the water remains on top of the floor and is cleaned up correctly. However, a floating floor is an entire installation system.

If water travels underneath the boards, it can become trapped between the flooring, underlay and substrate. That can eventually lead to damage even when the surface of the plank itself has good water resistance.

Over many years of installation and repair work, water damage has consistently been one of the main causes of flooring failures we encounter.

That is why we prefer explaining the limitations of a product before installation rather than simply describing any floating floor as “waterproof”.

Best Laminate Flooring for Homes with Pets

For homes with pets, our preference is generally a strong laminate specification rather than automatically moving the customer to vinyl flooring.

Where the budget allows, we particularly like 12mm AC5 laminate with good water resistance, ideally a range carrying at least a 72-hour water-resistance specification.

The AC5 wear surface is useful in homes with regular traffic, while water resistance provides additional protection against everyday spills and pet-related accidents when they are cleaned promptly.

In our repair experience, we have also seen vinyl surfaces scratch more easily than many customers expect. Product selection should therefore consider the animals in the home, traffic levels and the specific room rather than relying on a single marketing claim.

Professional Laminate Flooring Installation

A premium board can still fail if it is installed incorrectly.

Expansion gaps are crucial. Laminate naturally moves as environmental conditions change. If sufficient expansion space isn’t left around the perimeter and other fixed points, the floor can begin lifting or pushing against surrounding structures.

Our installation teams also check the substrate, moisture conditions, board layout, door clearances, skirtings and finishing profiles.

After installation, we recommend checking that the joints are properly closed, boards aren’t chipped, doors open and close correctly, and the skirtings and profiles are securely fitted. Already have laminate installed? Our flooring guides also cover practical aftercare, including how to safely remove glue from laminate flooring without damaging the surface.

We supply and professionally install laminate flooring throughout Gauteng, including Johannesburg North. Customers looking for laminate flooring in Sandton can also visit our nearby Randburg showroom to compare flooring ranges, colours and specifications.

Correct subfloor preparation is especially important because uneven surfaces are one of the main reasons laminate flooring can start creaking after installation.

Learn more about our professional flooring installation services throughout Gauteng.

Laminate Flooring Specials and Affordable Floors

Affordable flooring shouldn’t automatically mean choosing the lowest specification.

Because Laminate Floor World imports and purchases selected ranges directly, we can offer competitively priced products while still concentrating on specifications we are comfortable supplying and installing.

This is particularly important to us because we are an installation-based company. Reviews, referrals and repeat customers are a major part of our business, so selling an unsuitable floor simply because it is cheap doesn’t make sense for us.

Our sale and clearance ranges can also provide opportunities to purchase better specifications at reduced prices when suppliers change collections or clear remaining colours.

See the latest products on our laminate flooring sale page.

Is laminate flooring good for South African homes?

Yes. Quality laminate is particularly well suited to dry interior spaces such as bedrooms, studies, passages and suitable living areas. The product specification and installation conditions remain important.

Is 12mm always better than 8mm?

Not necessarily. A quality 8mm AC4 board can provide excellent value. 12mm generally provides a more substantial and comfortable feel, but core quality, locking system, wear rating and water resistance should also be compared.

Can laminate flooring be installed over tiles?

It can often be installed over securely fixed tiles when the surface is sufficiently level and suitable. The existing floor should be assessed before installation.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

No. Some boards offer strong water resistance, but the complete installed floating floor should not be treated as waterproof. Water underneath the flooring can still cause damage.

How long does installation take?

Many residential installations can be completed relatively quickly, but the actual time depends on the size of the area, subfloor preparation, number of rooms and finishing work required.

For more answers, visit our complete laminate flooring FAQ.