Flooring Grades Made Simple: Shop Smart for Your Home or Project
Shopping for new floors can be confusing when you see terms like AC rating, wear layer, or PEI rating. Don’t worry—understanding flooring grades makes choosing the right material way easier.
What Are Flooring Grades?
Flooring grades tell you how durable a material is and how well it will hold up over time. Different types of flooring have their own grading systems:
Laminate → Abrasion Class (AC) rating
SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) → Wear layer thickness
Tile → PEI rating (Porcelain Enamel Institute)
Engineered Hardwood → Appearance grade: Select, Natural, Rustic
These systems make it simple to compare quality and pick the right flooring for your space.
Grades by Material
Laminate Flooring – AC Rating
AC1 → Light use, like closets or bedrooms
AC2 → Moderate traffic, living/dining rooms
AC3 → Busy homes with kids or pets
AC4 → Small offices or high-use areas
AC5 → Commercial spaces like malls
For most homes, AC3 or AC4 is a solid choice.
SPC Flooring – Wear Layer Thickness
6–12 mil → Low-traffic spaces
12–20 mil → Moderate use homes
20+ mil → High-traffic homes, families, pets, or commercial jobs
Tip: Look for SPC floors with 20 mil or more if you want them to last.
Tile Flooring – PEI Rating
PEI 1 → Decorative, wall use
PEI 2 → Bathrooms or light use areas
PEI 3 → Most rooms in Florida homes
PEI 4 → Entryways, kitchens, busy spaces
PEI 5 → High-traffic commercial areas
PEI 3–4 is ideal for most Florida homes, balancing durability and style.
Engineered Hardwood – Appearance Grade
Select → Clean, consistent look, minimal knots
Natural → Some variation in color and grain
Rustic → Knots, streaks, bold character
Grades affect appearance and price, not durability.
Shop Smarter
Knowing flooring grades helps you choose the right materials whether you’re renovating or working on a client project. For expert guidance, check out Pro City Supply’s flooring grades guide or visit our flooring store in Tampa, FL. You can also see our location on Google Maps.
For a deeper dive, read our full guide on Medium: Decoding Flooring Grades.
Understanding grades makes upgrading your floors easier, whether it’s a personal project or commercial job. Choose wisely and shop with confidence!