Most luxury laminates fall into the category of high pressure laminates hpls.
High quality laminate.
The high quality top layer makes laminate flooring especially resistant to the elements.
The flooring is also uv resistant which means you can install it on a porch or other outdoor space without worrying about wearing quickly.
This rating system is used widely in the flooring world and was developed by the european producers of laminate flooring.
For residential use look for laminate with a rating of ac2 of higher.
The floor can be comfortably installed in high traffic area which is always a concern with natural wood.
High pressure laminates are second generation descendants of the original plastic laminates and they often include special properties such as very high resistance to wear fire and chemicals.
Some grades of hpl can be shaped into ornate edging treatments.
Good mid range laminate floors tend to be priced around 2 50 per square foot and high end luxury laminate can be as high as 5 to 6 per sq ft.
The first way to look for high quality laminate is to check the flooring s ac rating.
Cheaper brands will have a quickly repetitive pattern but a high quality laminate flooring will generally have the picture spread out far enough that it s not recognizable to the average person.
Read more about laminate flooring cost.
4 ask the salesperson if the material is direct or.