Domestic · Laminate
Domestic Laminate Flooring Installation
High-pressure laminate with convincing wood and stone visuals — fitted cleanly, with proper expansion allowances and scotia.
About Laminate flooring
High-pressure laminate with convincing wood and stone visuals — fitted cleanly, with proper expansion allowances and scotia.
Where it works best
- Hallways, landings and stairs
- Family lounges and dens
- Rental and flip properties
- Children's bedrooms and playrooms
- Home offices
- Extensions and loft conversions
How we fit it
- Home visit and floor assessment — We measure, photograph transition points, and advise on whether the existing subfloor is suitable or needs levelling.
- Product selection — We help you choose between lower-cost AC3, mid-range AC4 and commercial-grade AC5 ranges based on how the room is used.
- Written quote — Itemised — laminate, underlay (acoustic or vapour), beading or scotia, subfloor prep, and fitting.
- Subfloor prep — Concrete skimmed where needed, boards secured, old nails lifted, damp-proof membrane down where required.
- Installation — Boards clicked together floating, with the correct 10mm expansion gap, scotia fitted and door bars finished cleanly.
- Handover — Offcuts left for future repair, care notes provided, and old floor disposed of responsibly.
Why Laminate
What you get.
Strong, scratch-resistant surface ideal for family homes
Significantly more affordable than real wood with a similar finished look
Quick to install — most single rooms completed in a day
AC4/AC5 wear ratings available for high-traffic hallways
Compatible with most underfloor heating systems
FAQs
Laminate questions, answered.
Is laminate the same as LVT?
No. Laminate has a wood-fibre core with a printed decorative layer under clear melamine. LVT is PVC-based and waterproof throughout. Laminate is cheaper and harder underfoot; LVT is more water-tolerant and warmer.
Is laminate waterproof?
Most laminate isn't — it's water-resistant at the surface but the fibreboard core swells if liquid gets under the joints. Waterproof laminate ranges exist but we'd usually steer you towards LVT for bathrooms or utilities instead.
What's AC rating?
AC is the abrasion-resistance class. AC3 is fine for light domestic, AC4 for busy family rooms and hallways, AC5 is commercial-grade. Paying a little extra for AC4 on a hallway is almost always worth it.
Do I need underlay under laminate?
Yes — a proper acoustic foam or rubber underlay improves sound, flattens minor subfloor imperfections, and extends the floor's life. Some products come with underlay pre-attached.
Will laminate sound hollow?
Budget laminate on thin underlay can clack underfoot. Mid-range boards on a quality 5mm acoustic underlay, over a flat subfloor, feel reassuringly solid. Board thickness (8mm vs 12mm) makes a real difference too.
How long does laminate last?
In a family home we'd expect seven to twelve years from a well-chosen AC4 laminate on a hallway before you want to refresh. In a lighter-use bedroom, closer to fifteen.
Planning a Laminate floor?
Tell us the room and how it's used and we'll recommend the right product — and price it honestly.