When buying or specifying commercial laminate flooring it is vital to understand the product’s suitability for its intended application or usage class. The internationally accepted classification of laminate flooring durability is the Abrasion Criteria or ‘AC’ rating. Laminate AC ratings measure wear resistance and were originally designated AC1 to AC5. The exceptionally high standards of Pergo laminates necessitated the creation of an even higher, AC6 resistance level for very heavy commercial use.
Central to establishing an AC rating is the Taber Test that measures the abrasion required to wear through a laminate’s surface layer.
A drop-test to establish an Impact Criteria or ‘IC’ value is also included to define usage classes.
Classifications are divided into Residential or Commercial suitability.
