10 Sep AquaFloor Laminate Review – Honest Buyers Guide & Expert Opinion
Laminate flooring is often sought after for three reasons: affordability, durability and solid resistance to leaks or water. Sometimes it can be difficult getting a laminate floor that does all these things effectively, but the AquaFloor waterproof laminate flooring seems to be a great example of a laminate floor that does all of the above.
Is this the perfect water resistant laminate option for you? Check out our overview of this product below with pros and cons.
What is AquaFloor Laminate?
The Aquafloor laminate floor is a highly durable and thicker than average plank that offers up to 7 days (or 168 hours) of waterproof resistance against any common household spills or leaks. This makes it a fantastic choice for people who live in high traffic areas (pets or children) or households and even office spaces that live near the waterfront where there is a lot of moisture in the air.
With an AC5 heavy commercial surface, the Aquafloor laminate floors are considerably tougher than most other laminate flooring options. This makes them much more durable, more scratch resistant and a better choice for buyers who are looking for a long term laminate plank floor, especially with active kids or pets.
The biggest feature that differentiates AquaFloor laminate is the very low pattern repetition. Each colour has around 65 – 85 unique patterns (roughly 30m2) without any repeats, making the finished floor look almost like real timber!
Important Note: Blackbutt & Spotted Gum colours in AquaFloor have higher repeats of around 12 – 15 unique planks in a recent batch due to manufacturing errors. Future batches will be rectified, however please confirm with your FloorVenue consultant if this is a concern.
Pros & Cons of AquaFloor Laminate Flooring
The waterproofing of Aquafloor is definitely impressive, but there’s always a little more than meets the eye for flooring options. Before you settle on buying, you need to understand everything about this laminate floor, including the good and the not-so-good.
Advantages of AquaFloor Laminate Flooring
- Super Water-Resistance – As suggested by the name, Aquafloor is highly water resistant. It totally blows out the competition with its waterproofing. You could leave a large spill on the floor for days and zero damage will occur.
- Flooring Durability – Thanks to the 12mm thickness, the Aquafloor laminate floor is very tough against scratches and dents. If you have over-excited dogs or a lot of heavy furniture, this laminate flooring will withstand just about anything that is thrown at it.
- Digital Printing – One of Aquafloor’s greatest strengths is its exciting visual appeal. Available in 30 square metres of unique prints, you can have an almot waterproof laminate flooring that resembles real timber. Selections like Spotted Gum and Antique Oak are especially lifelike.
- Grand Size – The Aquafloor planks are larger than average, which is great for larger rooms or for those who want to show off their unique textures and patterns.
- Easy To Clean – Like any laminate flooring that’s worth its salt, Aquafloor is extremely easy to clean. All you need is a vacuum cleaner and a wet mop, and even then you don’t have to worry much about drying it soon after thanks to the waterproof capabilities.
- Easy Installation Techniques – Though you should still opt for a licensed installer, Aquafloor is very flexible and easy to put in. The entire process should not take long, thanks to the composite and synthetic materials.
- Moisture Warranty – With a 10 year warranty included with every purchase, you are heavily protected should your Aquafloor laminate flooring fail to provide adequate water resistance for any reason. This applies to residential use as well as commercial applications.
Disadvantages of AquaFloor Laminate Flooring
- Heavy – Due to the thickness of the planks, Aquafloor is heavier and harder than other laminate flooring options. This means that it won’t feel as soft to the touch as you’re walking on it with bare feet.
- No Underlay Included – Some installations require an attached acoustic underlay, and like most laminate floors, Aquafloor does not come with this pre-attached.
How Does AquaFloor Laminate Flooring Compare With Other Options?
All of Aquafloor’s properties may look good on paper, but how does it fare compared with other flooring types?
When compared with other laminate flooring options, Aquafloor is thicker, more durable and definitely a lore more waterproof than average. It’s a little more expensive than your typical laminate floor, but not by much.
Compared with hybrid flooring options, Aquafloor waterproof laminate flooring is more durable and a lot easier to install. It however doesn’t come with a pre-installed underlay, which may require separate purchasing if this is necessary for your own home or office installation.
When put up against luxury vinyl flooring planks, Aquafloor laminate floors are cheaper, easier to install, have greater resistance to scratches and dents, and the laminate flooring emits less emissions. Luxury vinyl flooring has an edge when it comes to easier cleaning and softer floors.
Due to the strong water resistant laminate nature of Aquafloor, many are curious how it compares with HydroPro Timber (also known as waterproof hardwood), and with good reason. Believe it or not, both fare extremely well against spills and water, making them both more or less the same in terms of water resistance. Concerning other factors, Aquafloor laminate floors will of course be cheaper and easier to install, but HydroPro Timber will look nicer and be a much better long term investment for real estate reasons.
Laminate floors aren’t often compared with porcelain or ceramic tiles, but on the subject of water resistance it’s a valid concern. Aquafloor laminate planks are definitely warmer and cheaper than tiles, but tiles are compatible with sealants, making it impossible for water or other spilled liquids to seep into the subfloor, which is where real damage can occur. Tiles are also much more dent and scratch resistant.
Conclusion – Is AquaFloor Laminate Flooring Any Good?
If you want a flooring that doesn’t require a deeper cleaning, complex installation and comes at a decently low cost, Aquafloor is a great choice. It’s easy maintenance, looks nice and does a spectacular job at repelling liquids and moisture. This is a flooring that is ideal for residential areas that could use a suitable wood look and water resistant properties.
If you still have any more questions or concerns after this review, that’s understandable. You should always feel free to get in contact with us at FloorVenue any time via phone or email. If you need advice on flooring material, installation techniques or tips on what laminate brands are most trustworthy, we’ll answer your every concern with no issue.