Mannington Laminate Flooring: Quality, Durability & Style Guide
Mannington Mills has manufactured flooring in America since 1915, bringing over a century of expertise to their laminate flooring collections. This New Jersey-based company maintains strong quality control through domestic production and emphasizes environmental responsibility that resonates with homeowners seeking sustainable flooring options.
After installing Mannington laminate across Asheville and Hendersonville for 50 years, we’ve seen how their commitment to American manufacturing translates to consistent quality and reliable performance. This guide examines Mannington’s laminate offerings, helping you determine if their products fit your home’s needs and design vision.
American-Made Heritage and Manufacturing
Mannington’s commitment to American manufacturing sets them apart in an industry where many brands source products overseas. Their Salem, New Jersey, facility produces laminate flooring using domestic materials where possible, supporting American workers while maintaining tight quality control.
The company holds FloorScore certification for indoor air quality, ensuring its products meet strict standards for low chemical emissions. This certification matters particularly for families with children or household members with chemical sensitivities. Mannington’s laminate consistently shows low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions compared to industry averages.
Mannington also maintains responsible forestry certifications, sourcing wood fibers from sustainably managed forests. For environmentally conscious homeowners, this commitment to sustainability provides confidence that your flooring choice supports responsible forest management practices.
Spill Defense Technology
Mannington’s Spill Defense technology provides moisture protection through specially treated cores and protective coatings. While not fully waterproof like Shaw H2O Plus or Mohawk Hydroseal, Spill Defense offers excellent water resistance for most residential applications.
The technology works through surface coatings that repel moisture while the core material resists water absorption better than traditional laminate. Mannington tests Spill Defense products with 24-hour water exposure during quality control, though they don’t warrant the same waterproof performance as competing brands’ waterproof technologies.
For many rooms in your home—living rooms, dining areas, bedrooms, and home offices—Spill Defense provides adequate moisture protection. Prompt spill cleanup prevents problems, and we’ve seen excellent performance from Mannington in these applications. For kitchens and bathrooms where moisture exposure is frequent, we typically recommend fully waterproof alternatives unless you’re committed to vigilant maintenance.
Mannington Laminate Collections
Mannington organizes its laminate offerings into several collection families, each featuring distinct styling approaches.
Restoration Collection
The Restoration Collection represents Mannington’s premium laminate tier, featuring authentic reclaimed wood aesthetics. These products capture the character of vintage lumber with genuine wear patterns, nail holes, and color variation that make each plank unique.
Popular Restoration selections include Weathered Ridge, which features hand-scraped textures with ash gray tones, and Weathered Elm with rich brown hues. The Restoration Collection typically carries AC4 ratings suitable for high-traffic residential applications, making these attractive products practical for main living spaces.
Plank dimensions in Restoration collections run 6-8 inches wide, creating authentic proportions without the overwhelming scale some 9-inch planks can introduce in smaller rooms. The Spill Defense moisture protection makes Restoration suitable for most residential applications with normal care.
Revolutions Collection
Revolutions offers mid-range pricing with solid performance specifications. These collections feature AC3 or AC4 ratings depending on specific products, providing flexibility to match durability to room requirements.
Revolutions emphasizes traditional wood looks—oak, maple, hickory, and walnut aesthetics dominate the collection. The styling appeals to homeowners seeking classic appearances that won’t feel dated in five or ten years. Colors tend toward natural wood tones rather than contemporary grays, fitting traditional and transitional design aesthetics.
The Revolutions line includes both smooth and textured finish options, allowing you to select surface treatments matching your style preferences. Smooth finishes suit contemporary spaces, while hand-scraped or embossed textures enhance traditional or rustic interiors.
Charter Collection
Charter Collection provides entry-level pricing while maintaining Mannington quality standards. These AC3-rated products suit moderate-traffic areas like bedrooms, home offices, and guest spaces.
Charter focuses on essential performance without premium styling features. You’ll find classic wood-look planks in standard widths (5-6 inches) with straightforward finishes. For budget-conscious projects where bedrooms or lower-traffic areas need affordable flooring, Charter delivers reliable performance.
While Charter products lack the visual sophistication of Restoration collections, they provide honest value for appropriate applications. The cost savings allow you to invest more in higher-performing products for your home’s busy areas.
Mannington Performance Specifications
Understanding Mannington’s specifications helps you evaluate their laminate appropriately.
AC Rating Options
Mannington offers AC3 and AC4-rated laminate. The AC3 rating suits moderate residential traffic in bedrooms and low-traffic areas. AC4 rating handles general residential use, including living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens with proper moisture management.
Mannington doesn’t currently offer residential AC5 products. For most homes, AC4 provides adequate durability even in busy households. Commercial applications requiring AC5 performance would need alternative products.
Thickness and Dimensions
Mannington laminate typically comes in 8mm and 12mm thickness options. The 12mm products provide better sound absorption and a more substantial feel underfoot. Thicker planks reduce hollow sounds when walking—important for second-story installations.
Plank widths range from 5 inches to 8 inches, depending onthe collection. The wider planks in Restoration collections create more authentic hardwood appearances. Narrower planks in budget collections keep costs down while still providing adequate coverage.
Lengths typically run 48 inches (4 feet), which balances manageability during installation with visual appeal once installed.
Texture and Finish Quality
Mannington emphasizes authentic wood grain texturing across its collections. Their embossed surfaces align with printed patterns, creating visual and tactile realism. The attention to detail in higher-end collections produces products where casual observation can’t distinguish laminate from real hardwood.
Most Mannington laminate features low-sheen finishes that reduce glare while maintaining depth. This approach looks more natural compared to high-gloss products. Some collections offer matte finishes for contemporary aesthetics.
Installation and Warranty
Mannington uses click-lock installation systems across its laminate collections. The floating floor method doesn’t require glue or nails, making installation relatively straightforward for professionals.
Mannington recommends 48-hour acclimation before installation. In Western North Carolina’s variable climate, we extend this to 72 hours for optimal results. Proper acclimation prevents post-installation expansion or contraction issues.
Warranty Coverage
Mannington backs its laminate with 25-year residential warranties covering manufacturing defects, wear, staining, and fading. The warranty requires professional installation—DIY projects void coverage.
The warranty is non-transferable, applying only to original purchasers. Proper maintenance using approved products is required to maintain coverage. Our lifetime installation warranty supplements Mannington’s product warranty.
Mannington Laminate Pricing
Mannington positions itself as a mid-range brand offering quality at fair prices.
Restoration Collection: $4.50-$6.50 per square foot
Revolutions Collection: $3.50-$5.50 per square foot
Charter Collection: $2.50-$4.00 per square foot
These material costs exclude installation, which typically runs $2.50-$4.00 per square foot in our area. Total project costs for a 300 square foot kitchen using Restoration average $2,100-$3,150 installed. Financing options make Mannington accessible for most budgets.
Comparing Mannington to Other Brands
Mannington vs. Shaw Laminate
Shaw offers waterproof H2O Plus technology, providing superior moisture protection compared to Mannington’s Spill Defense. For kitchens and bathrooms, Shaw holds the advantage. Mannington emphasizes traditional styling and American manufacturing heritage. If style preferences lean traditional and moisture exposure will be limited, Mannington delivers excellent value.
Mannington vs. Mohawk Laminate
Mohawk provides waterproof Hydroseal technology at competitive prices. Mohawk offers a broader style variety, including contemporary options. Mannington focuses on traditional aesthetics with American-made quality. Choose Mannington for traditional styling and domestic production; choose Mohawk for waterproof performance at value pricing.
Mannington vs. Pergo Laminate
Pergo positions as the premium option with superior scratch resistance and waterproof WetProtect technology. Mannington offers better value for traditional-styled, water-resistant laminate. Choose Pergo when maximum performance justifies premium pricing; choose Mannington when traditional aesthetics and American manufacturing matter most.
Mannington in Real Home Applications
We’ve installed Mannington laminate across hundreds of Western North Carolina homes. Their products perform especially well in living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms where traditional styling and moderate traffic align with Spill Defense capabilities.
The Restoration Collection works beautifully in homes seeking rustic or farmhouse aesthetics. The authentic reclaimed wood appearance pairs perfectly with shiplap, exposed beams, and other popular design elements.
For bedrooms, Mannington’s mid-range collections provide excellent value. AC3 ratings suffice for these lower-traffic spaces, and the traditional wood aesthetics create warm, inviting retreats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mannington laminate waterproof?
Mannington offers water-resistant Spill Defense technology, not full waterproof protection. Spill Defense handles everyday spills well with prompt cleanup, but doesn’t provide the sealed-edge waterproof protection of Shaw H2O Plus or Mohawk Hydroseal. For rooms with frequent moisture exposure, consider fully waterproof alternatives.
Where is Mannington laminate manufactured?
Mannington manufactures laminate in Salem, New Jersey, supporting American workers and maintaining tight quality control through domestic production. This commitment to American manufacturing distinguishes Mannington from brands sourcing products overseas.
How does Mannington compare to Shaw and Mohawk?
Mannington emphasizes traditional styling and American manufacturing. Shaw and Mohawk offer superior waterproof technologies at similar or slightly higher price points with a broader style variety. Choose Mannington for traditional aesthetics and domestic production; choose Shaw or Mohawk when waterproof performance is essential.
What AC ratings does Mannington offer?
Mannington laminate comes in AC3 and AC4 ratings. AC3 suits bedrooms and moderate-traffic areas; AC4 handles living rooms, dining areas, and kitchens with proper moisture management. Most homeowners should target AC4 for main living spaces.
Does Mannington require professional installation?
Yes, Mannington’s warranty requires professional installation. DIY projects void coverage. Our installation services include lifetime workmanship warranties, supplementing Mannington’s product warranty.
How long does Mannington laminate last?
With proper care, Mannington laminate typically lasts 15-20 years in residential applications. AC4-rated products in moderate-traffic areas often reach or exceed 20 years. Longevity depends on traffic levels, maintenance quality, and appropriate room selection.
Is Mannington laminate good for kitchens?
Mannington Spill Defense provides water resistance suitable for kitchens with diligent spill cleanup. For kitchens where frequent moisture exposure occurs, we typically recommend fully waterproof laminate from Shaw or Mohawk. Mannington works well when traditional styling matters and you’re committed to prompt maintenance.
What cleaning products work for Mannington laminate?
Use pH-neutral cleaners formulated for laminate. Avoid steam mops, harsh chemicals, and excessive water. Daily sweeping prevents grit that scratches finishes. Damp mop with properly diluted cleaner and dry immediately. Our care guide provides detailed instructions.
Ready to explore Mannington’s American-made laminate collections? Visit our showrooms in Asheville or Hendersonville to see Mannington products, or schedule a free consultation for samples and project quotes.