How do I judge the durability of a hard flooring?

The AC rating of a hard floor covering determines its suitability for location and its durability.

AC stands for ‘Abrasion Class ’ and is an internationally accepted system for classification of residential and commercial grades of flooring.

To determine wear and tear a Tabar abrasion machine uses a specific grade of sandpaper to wear away the surface layer. This test replicates years of wear compressed into a short duration which is a reliable indicator of abrasion resistance. As the total number of Tabar wear cycles increases, so does the product’s durability. After 50 turns the abrasive paper is replaced and the wear reassessed. A total of 50 turns is representative of one year of residential wear. Using a rating scale, the floor is then classified with an AC rating.

This ranges from AC1 to AC6 with AC 1 – 3 for residential use and AC4 – 6 being the most resistant classes for commercial applications.

For residential use, AC3 rated flooring is the ideal choice thanks to its excellent durability, cost effectiveness and versatility. You can use AC3 rated flooring everywhere in your home knowing it can stand the high traffic areas of living rooms, kitchens, stairs and hallways.

 A rating of AC5 is suitable for high foot traffic in commercial areas such as restaurants, showrooms, department stores and public buildings. How long your floor will last depends on the product selected, the amount of traffic and how well the product is cared for.