Laminate flooring. The right choice when LVP is not, and hardwood is not.

AC ratings are abrasion-class. AC3 is residential moderate. AC4 is heavy residential and light commercial, fine for kitchens, hallways, and most living areas. AC5 is heavy commercial, for retail, restaurants, or homes with very high traffic. We default to AC4 for residential. We do not install AC3 because it does not last in a real home.

If your budget allows, LVP is usually the better pick for slab homes. Laminate's case is real in three situations: tight budgets where the savings matter, dry upper-floor bedrooms over wood subfloor where the click-lock wood feel is preferred, and rentals where the surface needs to be hard and easy to replace cheaply.

Better than it used to be. Most current AC4+ laminates have water-resistant edge treatments and core boards. They will survive a spilled glass of water if cleaned up promptly. They will not survive a leaking dishwasher. For wet rooms, choose tile or LVP.

12mm feels and sounds the most like real wood underfoot. 8mm is the budget option and is fine over a flat, quiet substrate. 10mm is a sensible middle. We pick thickness based on subfloor condition, sound transmission, and budget.