Can laminate flooring be installed in a kitchen or bathroom?

Laminate is water-resistant but not waterproof — it can handle minor spills if wiped up quickly, but standing water or high humidity will cause the core to swell and warp over time. For kitchens with high spill risk, or any bathroom, we typically recommend luxury vinyl (LVP/LVT) instead, which is fully waterproof.

How does laminate flooring compare to hardwood?

Laminate looks very similar to hardwood and costs significantly less. The main differences: hardwood is real wood that can be refinished repeatedly; laminate has a photographic layer that cannot be refinished and must be replaced. Hardwood also adds more resale value. For budget-conscious projects or rental properties, laminate is an excellent choice.

What thickness of laminate should I choose?

For most residential applications, 12mm is the sweet spot — it has a satisfying underfoot feel, good sound dampening, and is tolerant of minor subfloor imperfections. We only recommend 8mm for bedrooms with very flat subfloors. In areas where feel and acoustics matter most, 14–15mm is a noticeable upgrade.

Does laminate need to acclimatise before installation?

Yes. We recommend letting laminate planks acclimatise in the room where they'll be installed for at least 48 hours before we begin. This allows the planks to adjust to the room's temperature and humidity, reducing the risk of post-installation expansion or gapping.

How long does laminate flooring last?

Quality laminate with an AC4 rating in a residential setting typically lasts 15–25 years with proper care. Avoid excessive moisture, use furniture pads to prevent scratching, and clean with a dry or slightly damp mop. Avoid steam mops entirely — moisture infiltration is the number one cause of premature laminate failure.

Laminate Flooring Toronto

Beautiful, durable, and budget-smart — laminate flooring installed by Toronto's most trusted flooring experts.

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Smart Flooring

Looks Like Wood. Performs Like a Champion.

Today's laminate flooring is a world away from the thin, hollow- sounding product of the 1990s. Modern laminate delivers incredibly realistic wood and stone visuals with a dense, rigid core and a scratch-resistant wear layer that holds up to family life. It's the ideal flooring for homeowners who want the warmth and character of hardwood without the price tag.

At Atlas Rug & Design Centre, we carry a carefully curated selection of laminate from leading manufacturers — focusing on quality construction, realistic embossing, and finishes that actually look convincing in person. Come to our Bathurst Street showroom and feel the difference between a 12mm premium laminate and a budget 7mm product. The gap is enormous.

The Case for Laminate

Why Choose Laminate?

🛡️

Scratch Resistant

The wear layer in quality laminate is tested to withstand scratches, scuffs, and dents from everyday household use.

💰

Budget-Friendly

Laminate delivers the visual warmth of hardwood at a fraction of the cost — ideal for larger spaces or rental properties.

⚡

Easy Installation

Click-lock laminate planks install faster than nailed hardwood, meaning less disruption to your home during the job.

✨

Low Maintenance

Sweep, vacuum, and damp-mop. No refinishing required. Laminate holds its look for years with minimal upkeep.

🎨

Wide Style Range

From light Nordic oak to dark walnut and stone-look porcelain, laminate covers virtually every aesthetic trend.

📐

Consistent Look

Unlike hardwood, laminate planks are perfectly consistent in tone and grain — ideal for open-plan spaces and minimalist designs.

Buyer's Guide

What to Look For in Laminate

AC Rating (Wear Layer)

The AC (Abrasion Class) rating measures how much wear a laminate can handle. The higher the number, the more durable the floor.

Rating	Use Classification	Best For
AC3	Residential — Light to Moderate	Bedrooms, living rooms
AC4	Residential — Heavy / Light Commercial	Hallways, kitchens, family rooms
AC5	Commercial	Retail, offices, high-traffic residential

Thickness

Thickness determines how solid the floor feels underfoot, how well it bridges minor subfloor imperfections, and how much sound it dampens.

Thickness	Notes
8mm	Entry-level, suitable for bedrooms with flat subfloors
12mm	Most popular — better underfoot feel, hides minor subfloor imperfections
14–15mm	Premium — closest feel to hardwood, maximum sound dampening

Core Type: Look for HDF (High-Density Fibreboard) cores — they're denser, more stable, and more moisture-resistant than standard MDF cores. Textured embossing (EIR — Emboss in Register) aligns the texture with the printed grain for the most realistic wood appearance.

Quick Guide

Is Laminate Right For You?

✅ Laminate is a great fit if…

→You want the look of hardwood on a tighter budget
→You're renovating a rental property or investment unit
→You need a fast, low-disruption installation
→The room gets moderate foot traffic (living room, bedroom, home office)
→You want a consistent, uniform look across a large open area
→You'll be replacing floors again in 15–20 years

⚠️ Consider another option if…

→The room has moisture — bathrooms, laundry rooms, or wet basements (choose LVP instead)
→You want a floor you can refinish and keep for 50+ years (choose solid hardwood)
→You have pets that track in a lot of water or have accidents (choose LVP or nylon carpet)
→You're installing over radiant in-floor heating (laminate and heat don't mix well)
→Resale value is a top priority — hardwood adds more to a home's appraisal

Our Process

How Laminate Installation Works

Subfloor Inspection

We inspect your subfloor for levelness, moisture, and structural integrity. Laminate requires a flat subfloor within 3/16" over 10 feet — we repair any high spots or low areas before we begin.

Underpad Installation

A quality underpad is rolled out over the subfloor to provide cushioning, thermal insulation, and sound dampening. Some premium laminate comes with pre-attached underpad — we confirm before quoting.

Plank Installation

Click-lock planks are installed with proper staggering, expansion gaps at all walls (critical to prevent buckling), and careful attention to transitions between rooms.

Trim & Finishing

Quarter-round or flat moulding is installed to cover expansion gaps at walls. Transition strips at doorways, stairs, and flooring changes are cut, fitted, and secured for a clean, complete finish.

Side by Side

Laminate vs Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl

Feature	Laminate	Hardwood	Luxury Vinyl
Cost	$ Budget-friendly	$$$ Premium	$$ Mid-range
Waterproof	No (water-resistant only)	No	Yes (100%)
Durability	Very good	Excellent	Very good
Refinishable	No	Yes (multiple times)	No
Best For	Living areas, bedrooms, rentals	Whole-home investment floors	Wet areas, basements, pets

Common Questions

Laminate Flooring FAQs

What Toronto Homeowners Say

Reviews From Our Customers

“The team was friendly and showed up on time every day. They worked quickly but carefully, and the floors look amazing now. What I really appreciated was how clean they kept everything and how they explained the process along the way. It made the whole experience easy and stress-free. Definitely recommend them if you're looking to upgrade your floors!”

Mauricio A.

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“Very positive experience. We were exploring options and came across Atlas. They were extremely professional, fair and personable. We will be using them again for our next flooring project.”

Nick D.

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“Ryan and David at Atlas were a pleasure to work with. After reaching out to several providers, they quickly stood out through their clear communication, transparency, and honest point of view. They were consistently responsive and easy to deal with. The quality of the work was excellent, and their follow-up reflected a strong commitment to getting everything completed to a high standard. A very professional and reliable team — I would highly recommend them.”

Esra T.

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See Our Laminate Collection in Person

Visit our Bathurst Street showroom to touch, feel, and compare our laminate range side by side. Free quotes and in-home consultations available.

Get a Free Quote Call (416) 533-3366

📍 978 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON · ⏰ Mon–Sat 10–4 · By appt. other times · ✅ Free In-Home Estimates