Prices, Promotions, styles, and availability may vary. Our local stores do not honor online pricing. Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Lowe's reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted.

How to Choose the Best Laminate Flooring

Holly Honeycutt

By Holly Honeycutt
Updated June 4, 2025

Learn what laminate flooring is and the types of laminate floors available for your home. This durable laminate flooring looks like hardwood and is available in styles like oak, walnut, hickory, maple and tile. See how to find the best laminate flooring for kitchens, bathrooms and more.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

A laminate flooring diagram of the wear layer, décor layer, core layer and bottom backer layer.

Laminate flooring is a synthetic product made of several layers that are sealed together in the lamination process. Designed to be affordable and durable, laminate flooring consists of four distinct components:

Wear Layer
The wear layer helps resist scratches from daily wear, creates an easy-to-clean surface and maintains a fade- and stain-resistant appearance.

Décor Layer
The décor layer is a printed image that recreates the natural look of wood, tile or stone.

Core Layer
The core layer gives laminate its structure and dent-resistant properties. Laminate flooring is much more resistant to dents than real hardwood flooring.

Backer Layer
The backer layer provides additional support and stability.

Some flooring also included pre-attached underlayment.

Where Can I Install Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is very durable, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas such as living rooms or foyers. But the detail and style make it a visually appealing flooring option for nearly any space and waterproof materials and installation allow you to update bathrooms and kitchens with laminate floors. Laminate is also a great choice for basements. Just be sure to read the product information on underlayment and installation requirements.

Kitchens With Laminate Floors

Laminate flooring in a kitchen offers several benefits:

  • Laminate lets you clean up spills easily.
  • The wear layer resists stains from spills.
  • You can find laminate rated for the high traffic of a kitchen.

Keep in mind, you need waterproof laminate, the right underlayment and the correct waterproof installation to use laminate flooring in a kitchen.

Bathrooms With Laminate Floors

The right laminate flooring can update the look of your bathroom:

  • Laminate can create the look of tile without the expense and effort of a tile installation.
  • The look of oak, maple and other wood species can be an unexpected touch in a bathroom.
  • A wide range of options makes it simple to find a style that fits a bathroom remodel.

As with kitchens, installing laminate in a bathroom requires waterproof laminate flooring as well as the correct underlayment and installation technique.

Laminate Flooring in Other Living Spaces

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms:

  • Laminate offers the cozy, warm look of wood without the cost or maintenance.
  • The durability of the flooring stands up to family and guest foot traffic.
  • Fade resistance makes laminate a good choice for rooms that get lots of natural light.

While moisture isn’t typically a concern in a living room or bedroom, children’s rooms might benefit from a waterproof floor and water-resistant laminate is a good choice for a dining room and a foyer. If you’ve got pets, look for pet-friendly options.

Using Laminate Flooring on Walls

If you want to style interior walls, look for laminate planks suitable for use on walls. Make sure your wall is clean and dry, plumb (completely vertical) and stable. Follow the product instructions for preparing the substrate. You probably need to prime the wall before installing.

Waterproof and Water-Resistant Laminate Flooring

Waterproof Laminate Flooring
In order for the flooring to be waterproof, you need a waterproof type of laminate and you need to follow installation instructions carefully. Installation requires 100% silicone sealant and a 3/8-inch foam backer rod around the perimeter of the room. Waterproof laminate flooring works best in kitchens, bathrooms, basements and kid's rooms. It’s also a great idea if you have pets.

Water-resistant Laminate Flooring
Water-resistance usually requires that you clean up moisture within 30 minutes. Check the product information and warranty for details. Water-resistant laminate flooring is ideal for dining rooms, living rooms and accent walls.

Types of Laminate Floors

In addition to standard, waterproof and water-resistant laminate flooring, there are other factors that define different types of laminate flooring. Consider these to find the best laminate flooring for your home. 

Thickness

Laminate flooring is typically available in 7-millimeter to 12-millimeter thicknesses. When you compare laminate, keep in mind that some manufacturers include the thickness of the product including the core and attached pad. Laminates provide a similar level of dent resistance. Thicker laminate is better suited to resist bending caused by uneven areas in your subfloor and reducing noise.

Width

Laminate planks come in two common sizes:

  • Medium planks vary in width from 5-7 inches. Medium planks are typically the best laminate flooring if your subfloor isn’t completely level.
  • Wide planks are the most popular choice and are more than seven inches in width. These work best if your subfloor is almost perfectly level. Check the product specifications for tolerances.

Colors and Color Shades

Colors
Laminate flooring is available in a wide array of colors. The most popular choices are brown, gray and white, but you can also find blue and black tile-look laminate.

Shades
The shade of the laminate flooring affects the look of a room. If you want to keep things light and bright, opt for a light shade. A medium shade is the most popular choice and looks good in most households. If you prefer something dramatic, opt for a dark shade. Keep in mind that the darker the shade, the more dirt and pet hair will show.

Wood Species

Laminate flooring has several different finishes and wood grain textures that mimic oak, hickory chestnut, maple and more.

Tile-Look Laminate

Tile-look laminate creates the look of individual tiles with different patterns and colors than those available with laminate planks that replicate the look of wood.

AC Rating

The Abrasion Criteria (AC) rating represents wear resistance on a 1 to 5 scale. The higher the AC rating, the higher the durability and the more activity the flooring can take. AC 3 and AC 4 laminate floors are the most common for homes.

Paying attention to the AC rating helps you choose the best laminate flooring for specific areas of your home:

  • AC 1: Flooring with AC 1 ratings is suitable for home use and the best for rooms with little foot traffic, such as bedrooms.
  • AC 2: Flooring with AC 2 ratings are for home use and best for rooms with medium foot traffic, such as family rooms and home offices.
  • AC 3: A rating of AC 3 designates flooring for home use that’s suitable in all foot-traffic areas and best for high traffic areas, like the foyer or kitchen.
  • AC 4: Flooring with AC 4 ratings work for home use in all traffic areas and can meet some commercial standards if warranted.
  • AC 5: Flooring with AC 5 ratings can withstand heavy commercial traffic.

Texture

  • Laminate flooring is available in many types of textures and finishes to simulate the look of real hardwood flooring.
  • Embossed or Embossed in Register (EIR): A general, all-over texture, EIR better simulates the natural look of real hardwood flooring by adding depth and texture in alignment with the design of the décor layer.
  • Handscraped: Though not actually handscraped, the laminate is pressed to look just like a real handscraped hardwood floor.
  • Smooth: Smooth laminate has a more polished look and can be easier to clean than textured flooring.

Underfloor Heating

Not all underfloor heating can be used with laminate flooring. For laminate-compatible systems, you may need to embed the mesh in thin-set or self-leveler before installing the flooring. Read the product specifications and instructions carefully before proceeding.

Tools and Materials to Install Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is usually a floating installation, meaning it isn’t fastened to the subfloor by glue, nails or staples. This makes installing laminate flooring a very DIY-friendly project. We show you some of the key tools and materials here you need here but take a look at our laminate flooring how-to project for details.

Underlayment

Some products already have an acoustical pad attached to make installation easier. If not, you’ll need to install underlayment first. Underlayment provides moisture protection and thermal insulation, reduces sound and evens out minor subfloor imperfections. Underlayment with a moisture barrier is necessary when installing laminate over concrete subfloors, as moisture passing through the subfloor can cause your floor to expand. Always follow the flooring manufacturer’s instructions for moisture protection. Keep in mind, attached underlayment on planks isn’t designed to be a moisture barrier.

Watch our video on preparing your subfloor for laminate flooring installation.

Moulding

Matching and coordinating moulding and trim pieces are available, including quarter round, T-moulding, thresholds, reducers and wall base. Replacing your existing moulding with these pieces helps complete the look of your room.

Laminate Flooring Tools

You need the right laminate flooring tools and materials for installation, including:

Laminate Flooring Installation and Costs

Before you get quotes from installers, you’ll need to take these factors into account.

Laminate Flooring Price Ranges
Laminate flooring can range anywhere from around $1.00 to $8.00 or more per square foot. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of underlayment and trim.

Laminate Installation Costs
Contractors typically quote based on the square footage of your project. For example, a 20-foot-by-20-foot living room is 400 square feet. If a contractor charges $5 per square foot, installation for the 400-square-foot room would cost $2,000. This cost should include putting down the underlayment, but double-check with contractors when reviewing quotes. Keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of flooring, underlayment, other installation materials, etc.

Installation Time
It’s important to let the laminate sit in your house for a couple of days before installing it. This allows it time to acclimate to the humidity levels and temperature in your home. Line up the boxes side by side while the laminate is acclimating; don’t stack them. Professionals can usually install up to 1,000 square feet of laminate in a day or two.

Other Factors

  • Purchase 10% more laminate than you need to account for waste.
  • It’s always a good idea to get multiple contractor quotes.
  • Labor costs can vary depending on where you live.


Good to Know

Lowe’s Can Install Your Flooring
Don’t have time to install laminate flooring yourself? Let Lowe’s help you complete your flooring project. Take a look at our Flooring Project Cost Estimator and get started.

Wood Plank Laminate Flooring

Tile-Look Laminate Flooring

Area Rugs

Lowe’s Helps You Find the Best Laminate Floor for Your Home

Laminate flooring gives you a comparatively inexpensive alternative to real wood and tile flooring. There are many styles and colors available, so it’s easy to match your décor or to tie the look of new flooring to a remodel. Plus, waterproof laminate lets you add this beautiful, durable flooring to high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Shop Lowes.com for different styles that replicate tile and different wood species to find the right fit for your space and take a look at our Installation Services. Or stop by your local Lowe’s and talk to a Red Vest associate about your project. They’ll help you find everything you need for a beautiful laminate floor.