Woodboys sold exclusively hardwoods for more than 40 years. Now, we bring that hard surface expertise into waterproof flooring—specifically luxury vinyl plank and laminate. Laminate offers a thicker flooring option with waterproofing, durability, and design-forward aesthetics for a reasonable price.
Our flooring specialists give the same attention to detail to our waterproof selections that we always have to wood. Experienced installation crews meticulously lay your new floors with the craftsmanship that we are known for: attention to detail on your board placement, moldings, transitions, and so much more.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know when shopping for laminate so that you have peace of mind about the investment in your home.
Benefits of Laminate Flooring for Your Home
Browsing our Ladson showroom might feel overwhelming, but your personal flooring expert will do their best to narrow down your options to the ones that fit your needs, lifestyle, home, and budget. Often, the hardest decision is simply which flooring type is right for you. Here are a few reasons why laminate should make your list.
Affordability
Laminate and luxury vinyl plank are some of the most budget-friendly floors we have in our collection of samples. Compared to wood, you can get an extremely high-end laminate for a fraction of the cost. These floors will start in the mid-high $2 range without sacrificing quality or durability. They have similar specs to more expensive floors with AC4+ ratings and waterproofing (more on these in a minute).
AC4+ Commercial-Grade Durability
While luxury vinyl plank offers a durable finish, it can be difficult to quantify that durability. Laminate has solved this problem with standardized Abrasion Class testing. Floors are given a rating from 1 to 6, but we only carry floors with an AC4 rating or higher. These floors are designed for general commercial use, which means that they are ideal for busy households with kids, pets, and heavy wear and tear.
Waterproof
Laminate floors are also waterproof for standing water on the floor for up to 72 hours. This makes them the perfect choice for homes along the coast, on the marsh, beachfront properties, or anywhere there will be lots of drips and drops like full bathrooms and kitchens.
Realistic Wood-Look Designs
Gone are the days when you had to choose between a beautiful floor and a durable one. Now, the visuals on laminate designs are hyper-realistic and come in color palettes ranging from whitewashed and grey to neutral browns and warm reds. They are clean, high character, rustic, modern, and everything in between.
AC4 Rating: What It Means for Charleston Homes
When Woodboys talks about the floors in our showroom, we almost always mention that our laminate floors have an Abrasion Class (AC) rating of 4 or above. An AC rating is an international standard designed to measure how well the finish and print layer holds up under factory-controlled abrasion testing. It can also cover things like impact resistance, staining, and even fading.
An AC4 rating is marked for general commercial or high-traffic residential properties. It’s the type of floor you might put into a café or a small salon, which makes it ideal for homes with lots of wear and tear from kids and pets.
In Charleston specifically, this is the perfect test to see how well floors hold up to sand and other grit that we track in from across the Lowcountry. Sand is one of the most abrasive elements that can damage the finish on a wood floor, but laminate is built to withstand it.
Laminate vs LVP: What’s the Difference?
Both laminate and luxury vinyl plank are waterproof, budget-conscious alternatives to hardwood, and it’s common for homeowners to lump them together as “the same thing.” The difference comes down to what’s underneath that wood-look surface, and it affects how each one feels, performs, and fits your home.
Waterproofing
Every laminate and LVP floor we carry at Woodboys is rated waterproof, holding up to standing water for up to 72 hours. So if moisture resistance is your main concern, both options genuinely deliver on it. The difference between them comes down to other factors, not water protection.
Feel underfoot
LVP, especially WPC varieties, tends to have a slightly softer, more cushioned step. Meanwhile, the thicker core on a laminate floor gives it a more solid feel, closer to walking on real hardwood.
Finish Durability
While luxury vinyl does feature durable finishes, most don’t have any kind of standard for just how durable they are. Laminate, on the other hand, has an abrasion class rating that gives homeowners a clear frame of reference for how well the floor stands up to wear and tear.
Budget
Laminate and LVP both sit at the most budget-friendly end of our flooring lineup, making both a strong choice if cost is your primary driver without wanting to sacrifice durability or style.
Which is right for you?
If you want the most affordable waterproof option with a hardwood-like feel, laminate is likely your best fit. If you’re prioritizing a softer step or want the flexibility of SPC’s extra hardness for high-impact areas, our Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Guide walks through those options in more detail. Either way, our flooring experts bring samples of both to your free in-home consultation so you can feel the difference firsthand.
What Does Laminate Flooring Cost in Charleston?
Laminate floors are going to sit at the more affordable end of the pricing spectrum. Many popular options will range from the mid-high $2 price range up into the $4 price range, depending on visual, pattern repeat number, manufacturer, and abrasion class rating.
If you want to know an exact price on a specific floor, our flooring experts are happy to help. We can also provide free in-home estimates where we bring the samples to your door, measure the areas that need flooring, and provide a quote for materials and labor. We’ll include everything you need from the flooring itself to the moldings and quarter round, demo and installation, and even underlayment.
All you have to do is book your appointment here!
Laminate Flooring Installation Method
Laminate floors are a great option for homeowners who are thinking about a DIY installation. These floors are click-lock, which means that they fold together easily and float over your existing subfloor. Laminate products sometimes have an underlayment pad attached, while others require a separate pad to be rolled out prior to install. However, there is no glue involved, making it a mess-free install.
Keep in mind that patterns do repeat in wood-look floors like laminate and LVP, so you have to be extra mindful of board placement during install.
Our installers bring the same master craftsmanship to laminate installs as they do to wood. Let us show you the difference when you have professional installation!
Care and Maintenance of Your Laminate Flooring
No matter how much you spend, you always want to protect your investment. Here are a few simple tips to maintain your new laminate floors to keep them looking great for the long haul.
Use area rugs and entry mats in high-traffic areas: Even though your floors are durable, you should aim to minimize wear and tear where you can. Area rugs in the most highly-trafficked areas and rugs at all of your exterior doors can make a big difference, helping capture sand and grit before it gets on your floor.
Sweep and vacuum regularly: Dirt buildup abrades the finish of any floor, so be sure to sweep or vacuum with the beater bar turned off to remove the majority of the sand and dirt regularly.
Clean with an approved cleaner: Only use a manufacturer’s recommended cleaner on your laminate floor. Woodboys carries a Bona Professional cleaner approved by all manufacturers we carry.
Laminate Flooring FAQs
Is laminate flooring actually waterproof?
Laminate flooring is waterproof—up to a point. It can handle standing water for up to 72 hours with no damage done. Many can handle water for longer than that, but they aren’t likely to be warrantied for any major home floods or extensive standing water.
How long does laminate flooring last?
A high-quality laminate floor can last for an incredibly long time when properly maintained. A floor with a high AC rating, regular cleaning, and general maintenance will last for years to come.
Is laminate a good choice for homes with pets?
Yes, laminate is a great choice for homes with pets. It can handle spills from the water bowl, the wear and tear of pet nails, and even heavy impacts from toys and bones.
Get Help Choosing Floors from the Professionals
The Woodboys flooring experts can help you decide which flooring type is ultimately right for you. We’re happy to help you price out multiple options, check out samples to take home, and talk shop about all of the technical specifications that make a difference on your project.
You can stop by our Ladson showroom to browse and talk to a sales consultant anytime or we can bring the mobile showroom to you. We’ll come out to your home, show you some samples, take measurements, and provide a free estimate for materials and labor to complete the entire job—moldings, transitions, and even demo of your existing material.
Reach out to us today to book your FREE in-home consultation!