AC rating, the only grade that matters
| Rating | Intended traffic | Rate / sq ft | Realistic Indian use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC3 | General domestic | ₹85–130 | Bedrooms, low-traffic flats |
| AC4 | Heavy domestic / light commercial | ₹130–180 | Living rooms, family homes |
| AC5 | Commercial | ₹180–260 | Offices, small retail |
| Water-resistant AC4 | Domestic, sealed joints | ₹170–240 | Flats with monsoon exposure |
What it does well
It is the cheapest convincing timber look, it lays fast over an existing floor with an underlay, and the melamine surface is genuinely hard — an AC4 laminate resists scratching better than a lacquered engineered wood floor at four times the price. For a rented flat, a study, or a bedroom refresh on a budget, it is a rational choice.
The water problem, stated plainly
An HDF core is compressed wood fibre. When water gets into a joint — from a mop, an overturned bucket, a monsoon window left open — the core swells and the plank edge lifts into a permanent ridge. It does not dry back. Water-resistant grades with wax-sealed joints delay this; they do not prevent it. In a ground-floor Mumbai flat or anywhere flooding is a live risk, SPC is the correct substitute at a similar price.
Plank format changes the look more than the decor does. A 1,280 mm plank with a micro-bevel reads as timber boarding; a short 900 mm plank with square edges reads as a floor covering. Wider planks also show subfloor unevenness sooner, so the flatter the base, the wider you can go.
Laying details people skip
- 8–10 mm expansion gap at every wall and every fixed obstacle, covered by skirting or a scotia bead.
- A moisture barrier and underlay, not just foam — the barrier matters more in Mumbai than the cushioning.
- No run longer than about 12 m without an expansion joint and a T-profile.
- Acclimatise the boxes in the room for 48 hours before laying, unopened.
Laminate is the bottom rung of a four-rung ladder that runs laminate, LVT, SPC and engineered wood. Each buys something specific; see the flooring guide for the comparison and renovation costs for how a floor sits in a whole-flat budget.
Frequently asked questions
What AC rating do I need for a home?+
AC3 is adequate for bedrooms, AC4 for living rooms, hallways and any home with children or pets. AC5 is a commercial grade and is over-specified for a flat, though it does no harm beyond the price.
Can laminate flooring get wet?+
Splashes wiped up promptly, yes. Standing water at a joint, no — the HDF core swells and the edge lifts permanently. If the room is at any real risk of water, choose SPC instead.
Is laminate flooring noisy?+
It can be, because it floats. A quality 3 mm underlay with an acoustic rating cuts the hollow click significantly, and matters in a flat above a neighbour. Budget ₹25–45 per sq ft for the underlay.
Can laminate be laid over existing tiles?+
Yes, with a moisture barrier and underlay, provided the tiles are level within 3 mm over 2 m. Fill any grout joints wider than 5 mm. This is the usual way it is installed in Indian renovations.