72 colours · 9 ranges
Laminate flooring
A tough printed surface on a dense wood-fibre core. Hard-wearing, quick to lay and good value, as long as you keep it out of wet rooms.
Our laminate ranges
Aqua Laminate12.3mm thick · 196mm wide12.3mm AC5 laminate, 2200 x 196mm, low-swell HDF core, 5G click. Spill-resistant, floats on underlay.8 colours
Excellence Laminate12mm thick · 193mm wide12mm AC4 laminate, 2250mm boards, drop-lock, eight colours; for dry living areas.8 colours
Extreme Laminate12mm thick · 193mm wide12mm AC5 laminate, 2200 x 193mm, 5G click, ten colours; not for bathrooms or laundries.10 colours
Prime Laminate – Contemporary Plus Edition12.3mm thick · 195mm wide12.3mm AC4 laminate in an easy-handling 1215 × 195mm plank; light oaks to dark greys.11 colours
Prime Laminate – Deluxe Edition8.3mm thick · 196mm wideSlim 8.3mm AC3 laminate, 1215 × 196mm plank with V-groove edges.8 colours
Prime Laminate – Legend Collection12.3mm thick · 239mm wide12.3mm AC5 laminate, extra-long 2200 × 239mm board, the top edition of the Prime laminate.10 colours
Prime Laminate – Luxury Edition12.3mm thick · 192mm wide12.3mm AC4 laminate in a long 2280 × 192mm plank; oaks, greys and Australian looks.10 colours
Shield Everlast10mm thick · 196mm wideScratch-resistant AC5 laminate plank, 196 x 1830 x 10mm, water-resistant surface and core.4 colours
Shield Everlast Herringbone10mm thick · 120.8mm wideAC5 laminate herringbone blocks, 120.8 x 604 x 10mm, in eight Everlast colours.3 colours
All laminate floors
What laminate is
Laminate has three main parts: a clear melamine wear layer on top, a printed décor that carries the timber look, and a core of HDF (high-density wood fibre). Boards are usually 8–12mm thick and click together as a floating floor over underlay.
The number to check is the AC rating. It comes from an abrasion test and tells you how well the surface stands up to scratches and wear. AC4 and AC5 suit busy family homes. It says nothing about water.
On water: laminate is water-resistant for spills, for a limited time. If water gets into the joins, the wood-fibre core can swell, and swollen boards stay swollen. Hour figures printed on some boxes are marketing, not warranty terms.
Is it right for your home?
It suits you if
- You want a hard-wearing timber look for bedrooms, living rooms and halls.
- You’re updating a rental or getting a home ready to sell.
- You want long, wide boards for a calm, open look.
- You need the job done quickly. A typical 50 m² floor takes one to two days.
Think twice if
- It’s for a bathroom, laundry or anywhere water sits. None of our laminate ranges allow wet areas.
- You mop with lots of water or a steam mop. Both can damage the core or void the warranty.
- You want a floor you can sand later. Laminate can’t be sanded.
- You live in an apartment with a strict acoustic rule. It can work, but only with the right underlay and a test report strata accepts.
Laminate vs hybrid
They look similar on the showroom floor. The difference is the core.
| Laminate | Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | HDF wood fibre | Rigid SPC (stone and PVC) |
| Water | Spills only, wiped up promptly | Plank won’t swell; joins and subfloor still matter |
| Wet areas | No | Some manufacturers, with conditions |
| Surface | Melamine, rated by AC class | Vinyl wear layer, rated in mm |
| Feel | Firm, can sound hollow without good underlay | Firm, usually underlay attached |
| Board sizes | Often longer and wider | Wide range |
Where it can go
Range by range
Underfloor heating
It depends on the range. Some laminates allow in-slab hydronic heating with the slab surface at or below 26–27°C; others are “not recommended” over heating.
With the right underlay and strata approval
Apartments
Strata will want an acoustic test report for the exact board and underlay. We don’t promise a rating for your building.
Yes, choose AC4 or AC5
Pets
The surface resists scratching well. Warranties still exclude claw damage and pet accidents, and pet urine left on joins will swell the core.
With care
Kitchens
Wipe spills promptly and use a mat at the sink. Fixed benches and islands can’t sit on a floating floor.
No
Bathrooms and laundries
Not for any of our laminate ranges. Here’s what does work in wet areas:
What changes the price
- The board: thickness, AC rating, and board length and width.
- Underlay: standard foam, or an acoustic underlay if strata needs it.
- Subfloor flatness: floating floors need a flat base.
- What’s there now: removing carpet or old floors, and disposal.
- Pattern: herringbone laminate takes longer to lay and needs more extra boards.
- Finishing: trims, scotia or skirting refit, door trimming, stair nosings.
Laminate questions
Can laminate get wet?
It handles everyday spills if you wipe them up promptly: it’s water-resistant for spills only. Water that gets into the joins can swell the wood-fibre core, and swollen boards stay swollen. No brand covers floods, leaks or appliance failures.
Can laminate go in a bathroom or laundry?
No. None of our laminate ranges allow wet areas, including those sold with water-resistant cores. If you need a floor for a bathroom or laundry, some hybrid and vinyl ranges allow it with conditions. We’ll show you which.
What does AC4 or AC5 mean?
It’s the abrasion class from a standard wear test. AC5 is the toughest common rating, and AC4 suits busy homes too. It measures scratch and wear resistance only. It tells you nothing about water.
Is laminate good with dogs?
An AC4 or AC5 surface handles claws better than timber. Keep nails trimmed and use mats at doors. Most warranties exclude claw marks and pet accidents, and urine left on a join can swell the board.
Can laminate go over underfloor heating?
Some ranges can, with the slab surface kept at or below 26–27°C; others are not recommended over heating. Tell us your system and we’ll check the range you like.
Can I use a steam mop?
No. Steam damages laminate, and several manufacturers void the warranty if you use one. Vacuum or sweep, then use a mop wrung out until it’s barely damp, with a neutral cleaner.
Can you lay laminate over tiles?
Often yes, if the tiles are flat and sound and the grout lines are shallow. The floor rises about 6–8mm, so doors may need trimming. It must sit on the right underlay with a moisture barrier over a slab.
Can a damaged board be repaired?
Laminate can’t be sanded or recoated. A badly scratched or swollen board can usually be replaced, which is easier if you keep a spare box from the original batch. We can advise at the measure.
Showrooms
Compare laminate and hybrid side by side
It’s the easiest way to choose.