Best Laminate Flooring Brands: Expert Comparison Guide
Choosing the right laminate flooring brand can feel overwhelming when you’re standing in a showroom looking at hundreds of options. Should you prioritize waterproof technology or focus on scratch resistance? Is a premium brand worth the extra cost, or will a mid-range option serve you just as well?
At Leicester Flooring, we’ve installed laminate floors from every major American brand for 50 years across Asheville and Hendersonville. We’ve seen which brands hold up in busy kitchens, which warranties actually mean something when problems arise, and which products deliver the best value for your investment. This guide cuts through the marketing claims to help you choose the laminate brand that’s right for your home.
How We Evaluate Laminate Flooring Brands
Not all laminate flooring is created equal, even when products look similar at first glance. We evaluate brands across six critical factors that determine how your floor will perform over its lifetime.
AC Rating Durability measures a floor’s resistance to wear, impact, and abrasion. The AC (Abrasion Criteria) rating system runs from AC1 through AC5, with higher numbers indicating greater durability. For kitchens and high-traffic areas, you’ll want at least an AC4 rating. Bedrooms can work well with AC3. We pay close attention to which AC ratings each brand offers across their product lines—some brands focus on budget-friendly AC3 options while others specialize in commercial-grade AC5 products.
Warranty Coverage varies dramatically between brands. Some manufacturers offer 25-year residential warranties while others provide lifetime coverage. More importantly, we look at what’s actually covered. Does the warranty protect against fading, staining, and wear? What about moisture damage on waterproof products? The best warranties cover both manufacturing defects and normal wear and tear, giving you real protection for your investment.
Waterproof Technology has transformed laminate flooring in recent years. Traditional laminate used high-density fiberboard (HDF) cores that would swell and buckle when exposed to moisture. Modern waterproof laminate uses specially treated cores with sealed edges that can handle spills, pet accidents, and even standing water for 24 hours or more. Shaw laminate flooring leads with H2O Plus technology, while Mohawk offers RevWood collections with Hydroseal protection. These waterproof innovations make laminate a viable option for kitchens and bathrooms where traditional laminate would fail.
American Manufacturing matters to many homeowners who want to support domestic production while ensuring quality control. Brands that manufacture in the United States maintain tighter oversight of their production processes and typically use higher-quality materials. At Leicester Flooring, we exclusively carry American-made flooring products, which aligns with both our values and our customers’ preferences.
Price-to-Value Ratio considers what you’re getting for your money. A $3 per square foot laminate might seem like a bargain until it shows wear patterns after two years. Conversely, an $8 per square foot premium product might offer features you don’t need. We look at the total cost of ownership—initial price plus expected lifespan—to identify which brands deliver the best value at different price points.
Customer Satisfaction reflects real-world performance over time. We track which brands generate warranty claims, which products our installation teams enjoy working with, and which floors still look great when we return for service calls years later. This field experience provides insights you won’t find in any product brochure.
Top 5 Laminate Flooring Brands We Recommend
Shaw Flooring: RevWood Waterproof Innovation
Shaw Floors has earned its position as America’s leading flooring manufacturer through decades of innovation and quality. Their laminate collections, particularly the RevWood line, set the standard for waterproof performance in the industry.
Shaw’s H2O Plus technology features a waterproof core construction with sealed edges that can withstand surface water for up to 24 hours. This makes Shaw laminate an excellent choice for kitchen flooring installations where spills are inevitable. The RevWood Plus collections offer AC4 ratings suitable for most residential applications, while RevWood Premier and RevWood Select lines provide additional style options at slightly lower price points.
What sets Shaw apart is the breadth of their product line. You’ll find everything from classic oak looks to contemporary gray tones, rustic hand-scraped textures to smooth modern finishes. Their wide plank options (7-9 inches) create a more authentic hardwood appearance compared to narrow planks. The embossed-in-register (EIR) texturing on premium collections ensures the surface texture aligns perfectly with the wood grain pattern, creating remarkably realistic wood-look laminate.
Shaw backs their laminate with strong warranty protection—typically 25 to 30 years for residential installations. Their R2X Hard Surface Cleaner is specifically formulated for Shaw products, making maintenance straightforward without voiding warranty coverage.
AC Rating Range: AC3 to AC4
Waterproof Options: Yes (H2O Plus technology)
Warranty: 25-30 years residential
Price Range: $4-$7 per square foot
Best For: Homeowners seeking proven waterproof performance with extensive style variety
Mohawk Industries: RevWood Durability & American Quality
Mohawk Industries stands as one of the world’s largest flooring manufacturers, with significant production in the United States. Their RevWood laminate collections combine innovative construction with competitive pricing, making them a favorite among homeowners who want quality without premium pricing.
Mohawk’s Hydroseal technology provides waterproof protection through sealed joints and a waterproof core. The RevWood Plus line features AC4-rated products suitable for high-traffic areas like living rooms and family spaces. RevWood Premier offers a step up in visual realism with enhanced texture registration, while RevWood Select provides budget-conscious options that don’t sacrifice essential performance features.
One advantage of Mohawk’s scale is its investment in manufacturing technology. Their products consistently show excellent quality control with minimal variation between planks. The color consistency matters particularly for large installations where you want a uniform appearance. Their UniGrip installation system provides a secure click-lock connection that installers appreciate for its reliability.
Mohawk laminate comes in a wide range of on-trend colors. Their gray-brown tones complement contemporary design aesthetics, while their traditional oak and hickory collections work beautifully in classic home styles. The texture variety—from wire-brushed to hand-scraped to smooth—gives you options to match any interior design vision.
AC Rating Range: AC3 to AC5
Waterproof Options: Yes (Hydroseal technology)
Warranty: 20-25 years residential
Price Range: $3.50-$6 per square foot
Best For: Value-conscious buyers seeking reliable quality with extensive color selection
Mannington Mills: American Heritage & Spill Defense
Mannington has manufactured flooring in the United States since 1915, bringing over a century of experience to its laminate products. This New Jersey-based company maintains strong quality control and emphasizes environmental responsibility in its manufacturing processes.
Mannington’s Spill Defense technology provides moisture resistance through a specially treated core and protective coating. While not fully waterproof like Shaw H2O Plus or Mohawk RevWood, Spill Defense offers excellent protection for most residential applications. Their Restoration Collection particularly appeals to homeowners seeking authentic reclaimed wood aesthetics without the maintenance requirements of real hardwood flooring.
The company’s commitment to American manufacturing resonates with customers who prioritize supporting domestic production. Mannington maintains FloorScore certification for indoor air quality, ensuring its products meet strict standards for low chemical emissions—an important consideration for families with children or household members with sensitivities.
Mannington’s style offerings lean toward traditional and transitional designs rather than ultra-modern aesthetics. Their wood-look patterns feature rich color variation and detailed grain patterns that create character. The planks typically measure 5-7 inches wide, which works well in smaller rooms where wider planks might overwhelm the space.
AC Rating Range: AC3 to AC4
Waterproof Options: Water-resistant (Spill Defense)
Warranty: 25 years residential
Price Range: $4-$6.50 per square foot
Best For: Buyers seeking American-made quality with traditional styling and good moisture resistance
Pergo: WetProtect Technology & European Heritage
Pergo essentially invented laminate flooring in 1977 and continues to innovate with advanced moisture protection systems. While now owned by Mohawk Industries, Pergo maintains its distinct European heritage and premium positioning in the market.
WetProtect technology represents Pergo’s answer to waterproof laminate. The system uses a proprietary waterproof core with sealed edges that can handle surface water for up to 24 hours. This makes Pergo particularly suitable for bathroom installations and other moisture-prone areas where traditional laminate would be risky. The Outlast+ line pairs WetProtect with AC4 or AC5 durability ratings, creating products that can handle both moisture and heavy traffic.
Pergo’s ScratchGuard Advanced finish provides exceptional scratch resistance—important for households with pets or active children. The surface coating resists damage from everyday wear while maintaining its appearance over time. This scratch protection extends the floor’s visual lifespan even in challenging environments.
Style-wise, Pergo offers contemporary looks with an emphasis on wide planks and realistic texturing. Their color palette includes classic wood tones alongside modern grays and whites. The precision of their printing and embossing technology creates products where it’s genuinely difficult to distinguish laminate from real hardwood at a glance.
AC Rating Range: AC4 to AC5
Waterproof Options: Yes (WetProtect technology)
Warranty: Limited lifetime residential
Price Range: $5-$8 per square foot
Best For: Homeowners seeking premium waterproof performance with superior scratch resistance
Quick-Step: European Craftsmanship & Uniclic Installation
Quick-Step brings Belgian manufacturing expertise to the North American market with products known for exceptional quality and innovative installation systems. Their laminate collections emphasize sophisticated European styling with advanced performance features.
The Uniclic installation system revolutionized laminate flooring by allowing planks to lock together at an angle rather than requiring tapping into place. This makes DIY installation significantly easier while creating stronger, more stable connections between planks. Professional installers also appreciate Uniclic for its speed and reliability—installations proceed faster with fewer complications.
Quick-Step’s Scratch Guard technology provides the highest scratch resistance rating in the industry. This matters particularly in entryways and high-traffic areas where dirt, sand, and debris can act like sandpaper on lesser-quality floors. The protective finish maintains its clarity over time without yellowing or dulling.
The style aesthetic leans European, slightly more refined and sophisticated than many American brands. Quick-Step’s color ranges tend toward subtle variation rather than dramatic grain patterns, creating floors that serve as elegant backgrounds for furniture and décor. Their plank lengths often extend to 8 feet or more, reducing the number of end joints for a more seamless appearance in large rooms.
AC Rating Range: AC3 to AC5
Waterproof Options: Select products
Price Range: $5-$8 per square foot
Best For: Quality-focused buyers seeking European styling with premium installation systems
Brand Comparison at a Glance
| Brand | AC Rating Range | Waterproof? | Warranty | Price Range | Best Feature |
| Shaw | AC3-AC4 | Yes (H2O Plus) | 25-30 years | $4-$7/sq ft | Most extensive style selection |
| Mohawk | AC3-AC5 | Yes (Hydroseal) | 20-25 years | $3.50-$6/sq ft | Best value for performance |
| Mannington | AC3-AC4 | Water-resistant | 25 years | $4-$6.50/sq ft | American-made heritage |
| Pergo | AC4-AC5 | Yes (WetProtect) | Lifetime | $5-$8/sq ft | Superior scratch resistance |
| Quick-Step | AC3-AC5 | Select products | 25 years | $5-$8/sq ft | Easiest installation system |
How to Choose the Right Laminate Brand for Your Home
The best laminate brand for your home depends on your specific needs, priorities, and circumstances. Start by considering the rooms where you’ll install laminate flooring.
For kitchens and bathrooms, prioritize waterproof technology. Shaw H2O Plus, Mohawk RevWood with Hydroseal, or Pergo WetProtect all provide genuine waterproof protection. Don’t settle for water-resistant products in these high-moisture areas—the risk of damage isn’t worth the modest cost savings. You’ll also want at least an AC4 rating to handle the heavy traffic most kitchens experience.
For living rooms and main floor spaces, focus on durability and style. These areas see constant use, so AC4 or AC5 ratings provide the best long-term performance. All five brands we recommend offer suitable options. Your decision might come down to finding the exact color and texture that complements your home’s aesthetic. Quick-Step and Pergo lean toward contemporary European styling, while Mannington offers more traditional American looks.
For bedrooms and low-traffic areas, you can consider more budget-friendly options with AC3 ratings. These spaces don’t require waterproof protection or commercial-grade durability. Mohawk RevWood Select or lower-tier Shaw products provide good value for these applications. The cost savings allow you to invest more in higher-performing products for your home’s busy areas.
Household composition should influence your brand selection. Families with young children benefit from waterproof floors throughout the main level—kids spill drinks, track in mud, and have accidents. Pet owners should prioritize scratch resistance, making Pergo’s ScratchGuard or Quick-Step’s Scratch Guard technology valuable investments. Empty nesters or adults-only households can often succeed with water-resistant rather than waterproof products.
Budget considerations matter, but focus on long-term value rather than lowest initial cost. A $4 per square foot Mohawk product that lasts 20 years costs less per year than a $3 product that needs replacement after 10 years. Factor in installation costs when comparing—Quick-Step’s Uniclic system might save on labor even if material costs run slightly higher. Consider financing options if premium brands would stretch your immediate budget but provide the performance your home requires.
Design preferences guide your brand selection when performance needs are met by multiple options. Shaw offers the widest style variety, making them ideal if you have a specific vision to match. Pergo and Quick-Step work well for contemporary designs. Mannington suits traditional or transitional aesthetics. Browse each brand’s inspiration gallery to see which resonates with your taste.
Why Choose Leicester Flooring for Your Laminate Installation
Brand selection is just the first step. Installation quality determines whether your laminate floor performs to its potential or becomes a source of frustration. Leicester Flooring brings 50 years of installation expertise to every project in Asheville and Hendersonville.
Our exclusive lifetime installation warranty covers workmanship for as long as you own your home—not just the typical 1-2 year labor warranties most companies offer. This warranty supplements the manufacturer’s material warranty, giving you complete coverage and peace of mind. If an installation issue arises, we make it right at no cost to you.
We exclusively carry American-made flooring products, ensuring the brands we recommend support domestic manufacturing. This commitment means you’re not just getting quality flooring—you’re supporting American workers and communities.
Our installation teams have installed thousands of laminate floors across Western North Carolina. They understand the specific challenges our regional climate presents—humidity variations between seasons, temperature extremes, and the unique characteristics of homes built in different eras. This local expertise ensures your floor is installed correctly for our specific conditions.
We offer free in-home measurements where our specialists assess your space, discuss your needs, and provide accurate cost estimates. This consultation helps you make informed decisions about brand selection and budget planning before committing to your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which laminate flooring brand is most durable?
Pergo and Quick-Step offer the highest durability ratings, with AC5 products suitable for light commercial applications. For residential use, Mohawk and Shaw both provide AC4-rated products that handle heavy traffic beautifully. The most durable choice depends on your specific application—a busy kitchen requires different performance than a guest bedroom.
Are expensive laminate brands worth the extra cost?
Premium laminate brands typically justify their higher prices through better waterproof technology, longer warranties, and superior scratch resistance. If you’re installing in high-traffic or moisture-prone areas, premium brands like Pergo or Quick-Step often provide better long-term value than budget options. For low-traffic spaces, mid-range brands like Mohawk offer excellent value.
What’s the best laminate brand for kitchens?
Shaw, Mohawk, and Pergo all offer excellent waterproof laminate suitable for kitchens. Shaw’s H2O Plus and Pergo’s WetProtect provide the strongest moisture protection. Choose products with at least AC4 ratings to handle kitchen traffic. We install waterproof laminate in kitchens regularly and have seen these brands perform exceptionally well.
Do all laminate brands install the same way?
Most modern laminate uses click-lock systems, but installation ease varies. Quick-Step’s Uniclic system is notably easier for DIY installation. Shaw, Mohawk, and Mannington use similar angle-tap systems that professional installers handle efficiently. Installation differences typically matter more for DIY projects than professional installations.
How long does quality laminate flooring last?
Quality laminate from Shaw, Mohawk, Mannington, Pergo, or Quick-Step typically lasts 15-25 years in residential settings with proper care. Waterproof products in moisture-prone areas often last longer than traditional laminate. The AC rating, household traffic, and maintenance practices all influence lifespan. Our care and maintenance guide helps maximize your floor’s longevity.
Can I install different laminate brands in different rooms?
Yes, but ensure transitions between brands look intentional rather than mismatched. Using different brands for different performance needs makes sense—waterproof Pergo in bathrooms, budget-friendly Mohawk in bedrooms. Maintain visual cohesion by keeping similar color temperatures and styles. Professional installers can create clean transitions between products.
Which brands offer the best warranties?
Pergo offers limited lifetime residential warranties on select products. Shaw typically provides 25-30 year coverage, while Mannington and Quick-Step offer 25-year warranties. Mohawk’s warranties run 20-25 years. More important than warranty length is what’s covered—read the fine print regarding staining, fading, and moisture damage.
Is American-made laminate better than imported products?
American-made laminate from Shaw, Mohawk, and Mannington typically offers better quality control and more consistent manufacturing standards. Supporting domestic production also reduces shipping distances and environmental impact. We stock only American-made products because we’ve found they consistently deliver better long-term performance for our customers.
Ready to choose the perfect laminate flooring brand for your home? Visit our Asheville or Hendersonville showrooms to see samples from all five brands, or schedule a free in-home consultation where we’ll help you select the right product for your specific needs and budget.