Best Laminate Flooring for DIYers
Laminate gives a convincing wood look at a low price and clicks together for easy DIY. Modern waterproof lines handle kitchens and baths; the AC wear rating and core quality decide how it holds up.
What to look for
- ·For wet areas, choose a waterproof line (Pergo WetProtect, Mohawk RevWood Plus) with sealed edges and a tight click-lock.
- ·Check the AC wear rating: AC3 for homes, AC4 to AC5 for busy households and light commercial.
- ·Thicker boards (10 to 12mm) feel more solid and quiet underfoot, especially with an attached or added underlayment.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pergo TimberCraft WetProtect | Editor's pick | $3 to $5 per sq ft | Premium waterproof laminate |
| Mohawk RevWood Plus | Editor's pick | $3 to $6 per sq ft | Durable waterproof looks |
| Quick-Step Laminate | Editor's pick | $3 to $6 per sq ft | Refined looks and tight joints |
| Pergo Outlast+ | Best value | $2.50 to $4 per sq ft | Pergo quality for less |
| Mohawk RevWood Select | Best value | $2.50 to $4.50 per sq ft | Durable everyday value |
| Mannington Laminate | Best value | $2.50 to $5 per sq ft | Trusted mid-range value |
| TrafficMaster Laminate (Home Depot) | Budget pick | $1 to $2.50 per sq ft | Budget rooms and rentals |
| Style Selections Laminate (Lowe's) | Budget pick | $1 to $2.50 per sq ft | Lowe's budget value |
| Dream Home Laminate | Budget pick | $1 to $3 per sq ft | Budget whole-home looks |
Editor's pick
Pergo TimberCraft WetProtect
$3 to $5 per sq ft
A premium, fully waterproof laminate with realistic texture, ScratchGuard surface, and the strongest warranty in the category. The pick for great looks that survive water.
Best for: Premium waterproof laminate
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Mohawk RevWood Plus
$3 to $6 per sq ft
Waterproof laminate with Hydroseal edge protection and ScratchResist surface, in convincing wood looks. A durable premium choice for any room.
Best for: Durable waterproof looks
Typically available at Home Depot, Flooring retailers.
Quick-Step Laminate
$3 to $6 per sq ft
A premium European laminate known for realistic texture, tight joints, and durable wear layers. The pick for refined looks and a high-quality click system.
Best for: Refined looks and tight joints
Typically available at Flooring retailers, Amazon.
Best value
Pergo Outlast+
$2.50 to $4 per sq ft
A water-resistant Pergo line with SpillProtect and good durability at a friendlier price than TimberCraft. A strong value for most rooms.
Best for: Pergo quality for less
Typically available at Home Depot.
Mohawk RevWood Select
$2.50 to $4.50 per sq ft
Enhanced-durability laminate with good looks at a mid-range price, a step below the fully waterproof Plus line. A solid value for everyday spaces.
Best for: Durable everyday value
Typically available at Home Depot, Flooring retailers.
Mannington Laminate
$2.50 to $5 per sq ft
A respected US maker with attractive, durable laminate at reasonable prices. A dependable value with realistic visuals and solid wear layers.
Best for: Trusted mid-range value
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Budget pick
TrafficMaster Laminate (Home Depot)
$1 to $2.50 per sq ft
Home Depot's budget laminate for basic rooms and rentals at the lowest cost. Thinner and less water-tolerant, but a cheap way to get a wood look.
Best for: Budget rooms and rentals
Typically available at Home Depot.
Style Selections Laminate (Lowe's)
$1 to $2.50 per sq ft
Lowe's value laminate with serviceable wood looks at low prices. A budget pick for bedrooms and low-traffic spaces on a tight budget.
Best for: Lowe's budget value
Typically available at Lowe's.
Dream Home Laminate
$1 to $3 per sq ft
A budget laminate line with a wide range of looks at low prices, popular for whole-home jobs on a budget. Basic, but lots of style for the cost.
Best for: Budget whole-home looks
Typically available at Flooring retailers.
Frequently asked
Is laminate flooring waterproof?+
Standard laminate is water-resistant at best, but modern waterproof lines (Pergo WetProtect, Mohawk RevWood Plus) use sealed cores, waxed edges, and tight click-locks to handle spills, pets, and even standing water for a time. For kitchens and baths, buy a waterproof-rated line.
Laminate or luxury vinyl plank?+
Laminate has a tough, realistic wood-look surface and is often firmer underfoot, but standard laminate is less water-tolerant than LVP. LVP is fully waterproof and softer/quieter. For wet areas LVP or waterproof laminate is best; for a hard, wood-like feel at low cost, laminate is great.
What is the AC rating?+
AC measures abrasion and wear resistance from AC1 to AC5. For residential floors choose AC3, and AC4 to AC5 for high-traffic homes, pets, or light commercial use. A higher AC rating means a tougher wear layer.
Can I install laminate myself?+
Yes, it is one of the most DIY-friendly floors. The click-lock planks float over an underlayment with no glue or nails. You need a flat subfloor, spacers for an expansion gap, a saw, and patience. A room is a weekend project.
Do I need underlayment under laminate?+
Yes, unless the planks have it attached. Underlayment cushions the floor, dampens sound, and can add a moisture barrier over concrete. Match the underlayment to your subfloor, and do not double up on attached-pad products.
Planning a bigger job? See the full Flooring Installation project guide: cost, DIY vs. hire, and the whole plan.
Open the Flooring Installation guide →