Laminate flooring is a very popular alternative to hardwood floors, and for good reason. It is much cheaper, easy to install and can be done within a day!
However, there are thousands of different options available to choose from online, and it can be so hard to tell which would be the right option for your home.
You would not want to order the laminate planks that you thought looked a great color, for them to turn up and find out that they are not suitable for where you want to place them, or will not be durable enough for your home.
To make sure this does not happen to you, we have created a guide of the best Mohawk laminate flooring, reviewing the top three options in the Mohawk RevWood range, to help you make the right decision!
Mohawk Laminate Flooring: Our favorites
The best choice when it comes to Mohawk laminate flooring is the RevWood series.
With this collection, you can either choose from the entry level laminate flooring; RevWood, which is an affordable option with multiple styles to choose from, or you can choose RevWood Plus, which is the best option available.
Whilst RevWood is more expensive, it is waterproof and comes with a lifetime warranty for your convenience. If you simply cannot choose between the two, then pick the RevWood Select for the best of both worlds.
Best Mohawk Laminate Flooring Review
If you are ready to purchase your own laminate flooring, then you will want to know which options are the best choices on the market, and for you.
Below we have reviewed the best Mohawk laminate flooring, with all of their pros and cons, and which areas they are best suited for, to help guide you in your decision.
RevWood Plus
RevWood Plus is considered the best of the best in the Mohawk laminate flooring range, as this type of flooring truly has it all. This is one of the most costly options, but you do pay for what you get.
One of the biggest pros of purchasing the RevWood Plus option is that it is 100% waterproof once it has been installed.
It is important to note that the individual planks themselves are not waterproof, but once the pieces are fitted together and left to set, they will be.
In addition, there is extensive scratch resistance, and spill proof UniClic grooves, with a much thicker layer to this flooring for more durability, and suitability in any room.
You also do not need an underlayment for the RevWood Plus as each pank comes fitted with its own layer of underlayment attached, which saves you so much time, energy and money when it comes to installing.
You can also install this type of laminate flooring by yourself if you want to, with simple DIY installation.
What we love about the RevWood Plus is that there are also 37 color and style options available to choose from, which will surely help you find the perfect match for your home and decor style.
To sweeten the deal, the RevWood Plus also has a Pet Protection Warranty, which means that you are protected against accidents, spills and claw marks caused by any pets that you may have, which is such an extra added bonus.
PROS
- 100% waterproof
- Can be DIY installed
- Lifetime warranty included
- All Pet Protection warranty
- Easily cleaned
- Suitable for all traffic areas
CONS
- Most expensive choice from Mohawk range
- Has a more limited option of colors and styles to choose from
RevWood Select
The RevWood Select is the middle ground option for many people, as this is expensive, but cost effective when you consider all of its plus points.
For instance, the RevWood Select laminate is made from real wood, which has a core made from recycled wood for extra strength and long lasting durability.
That being said, the planks are not completely waterproof though, which is a shame. However, the RevWood Select planks are also constructed with UniClic tongue and groove installation which makes putting this flooring together super easy.
There are also 35 different colors and styles to choose from to match your personal style perfectly. You can also choose from modern, clean cut styles, all the way to rustic, traditional looks to find the right laminate for your home.
What we do love about this type of laminate flooring is that the planks are very thick at 8mm, for extra added support and stability, but they are also scratch and spill resistant for long lasting results.
PROS
- Simple DIY installation
- Lifetime warranty
- 35 colors and styles to choose from
- Good value for money
- Scratch resistant
CONS
- Not waterproof
- Limited style options compared to others
RevWood
RevWood is the basic model in the Mohawk laminate range, being the least expensive, but also naturally the one with the most limitations.
For instance, the RevWood type of laminate flooring is not completely 100% waterproof, it may be water resistant, but it cannot withstand a lot of water, and it is also missing the scratch protection that the Select series has.
That being said, installation of the RevWood is an absolute breeze, and can be done by even a beginner to DIY. The RevWood is the most cost effective option, but it also has a huge variety of options to choose from.
Unlike the other previous options in the series, the base model, RevWood offers customers 75 different variations, along with the option to add scratch resistant for an extra cost, but even with this added, the RevWood series is incredibly affordable for most people.
RevWood is best suited for medium traffic areas, not high as it is not naturally scratch resistant or durable, and so placing this in a medium traffic area is your best option.
In addition, you will want to use this for rooms where water will not be an issue, so keep it away from bathrooms or kitchens if possible.
If you choose to install RevWood laminate flooring in your bedroom, or living room, then this is an exceptional option with stunning results, that will last well.
PROS
- Low cost laminate flooring
- Simple DIY installation
- Up to 75 style options
- Scratch resistant can be added for additional cost
CONS
- Not suitable for high traffic areas
- Not waterproof
- Limited warranty
- No scratch and dent protection on most models
Installing your Mohawk laminate flooring
The great thing about Mohawk laminate flooring is that you can install it entirely yourself. You do not need a qualified installer or professional to do so.
All you need to do is follow this section to know exactly how to lay this laminate flooring!
You can hire a professional if you want to, but this flooring is actually so easy to install yourself. All you need is a few of the basics below:
- Chalk line: to mark the room and find the center of your walls
- Bubble level: to ensure the flooring is installed level
- Power saw: to cut the laminate planks to size
- Crowbar: to remove any baseboards or moldings before installing
- Hammer: to tap pieces of laminate together
- Personal protective equipment: to protect eyes, hands, knees, and prevent any injury from installation.
This will be done in four steps; preparation, cutting/measuring, plank installation and setting. The first thing you will have to think about is starting to prepare for your laminate flooring to be installed.
Preparation
Before you start to lay your laminate flooring, you will need to prepare the room in which it is being installed. This means removing all furniture, baseboards, trims and thresholds before starting to think about installing the floor.
In addition, if you have existing flooring, that will need to go too.
Once you have cleared out the room, it may be worth giving it a once over with a good sweep, and a vacuum to remove any excess dirt, debris or build up that may be there.
The next step is to put the underlay down. Most Mohawk laminate flooring will come with some sort of underlayment attached.
If you do not have the underlayment attached or included, then check if it is in the packaging that came with the floor.
Some models do not have underlayment included, so you may have to purchase an extra roll or sheet for your underlayment, covering the entire floor.
Once you have your underlayment, you will want to place it down on the floor, but ensure that it covers the entire floor from corner to corner.
Cutting/Measuring
The next part of the installment process involves measuring and cutting to ensure that the laminate flooring fits perfectly to size. To do this you will need to measure the entire room, and find the exact center of the room.
As the manufacturer, Mohawk recommends that you leave a 1/8th inch gap from the edge of the first row of planks to the wall, in case there is any expansion of the wood.
To find the center of the longest wall, you will want to use a chalk line and bubble level, and mark your line.
If you have finished measuring up the walls, lines and measurements, then you can start to cut off the tongue of the planks to make your first row of laminate.
The side that you cut can then be placed to face the wall, and then you can start laying.
Installing your laminate planks
If you have installed the first row along the longest wall in the room, you can start installing the rest of the laminate planks.
You will want to follow the direction of the room, however this is not completely necessary, as you can go against this rule if you want to change the overall look of your flooring.
You are going to want to lay the first row by following the chalk line, and keep maintaining the 1/8th inch gap, tapping the planks together end to end. Then, you can continue installing your planks simply by locking the pieces together.
However, you may want to keep in mind that the end joints will need to be staggered by at least 6 inches, to do so, just cut the piece from the last planks so that the joints do not fall in line.
Continue joining the planks together, by working towards the edge or the exit of the room.
Once you have installed all of the planks, you will want to leave the room and avoid walking on the floor for the whole set time.
Setting
For the final part of the process, you will need to think about the set time.
Mohawk mostly recommends that you leave the floor for at least 24 hours to ensure that the floor really sets properly. This also means that you cannot reinstall the trim, thresholds or baseboards during this time for the best results.
Leaving your flooring for this set time is to ensure that the laminate has enough time to set completely, and the wood can expand and contract if need be.
Once you have waited for the set time to pass, then it is safe to restore your moldings, trim and furniture to the room.
Just remember that laminate scratches easily, so ensure that you lift you furniture to place it back in the room, or add some furniture pads underneath to avoid scratching:
Pros and Cons of Laminate flooring
All products will have a pros and cons list, and the Mohawk laminate flooring is no different.
In this section, we will provide you with a list of many pros and cons to help guide you in your decision, but also make you aware of some of the issues we have found with these products.
Pros
- One of the strongest pros about the Mohawk laminate is that it is highly durable compared to other brands. This type of laminate flooring has an AC3 rating which means that it can be installed in high traffic areas, and will ensure its longevity.
- Another pro is how cost efficient this type of laminate flooring truly is. The Mohawk laminate flooring is budget friendly, and below the costs of many of the industry’s competitors for this type of laminate, making it highly affordable.
- In addition, there are many style and color options to choose from with Mohawk. This brand offers three different types of laminate, with a total of over 100 options when it comes to sizes, colors and styles to choose from.
- What we love about the Mohawk laminate flooring is that it is so simple to install, that you do not need an engineer or professional, just a little DIY knowledge and you can do it yourself.
- Another pro of this laminate flooring is that it is low maintenance to keep, as it is simple to clean, does not get moldy, and fights off odors, making it a simple yet effective addition to the home.
Cons
- One of the main issues with the Mohawk laminate flooring is that you cannot really sand or buff out marks to repair it. In most cases, if there is an issue with your laminate floor, then you would have to replace the whole plank rather than repair it cheaply.
- In addition, aside from the RevWood Plus type of laminate, the rest are only water resistant and not completely waterproof. Also, all laminate will stain very easily, which means that you have to tackle spills and dirt marks immediately after they have happened to ensure that your laminate looks just as good as when it was first installed.
Buyer’s Guide: How to choose the right laminate flooring
When purchasing laminate flooring, you will want to ensure that you have made the right choice for you and your home, so we have created a Buyer’s Guide so you know exactly what to expect and what to look for.
Style
The great thing about laminate flooring is that there are so many different looks to choose from, and with Mohawk, you will have over 100 different styles and options to pick from with varying finishes and textures.
Some can even look just like real hardwood flooring!
Color
Laminate flooring can come in so many different colors to choose from, from the traditional look of natural wood, to smart, modern and minimalist designs.
Installation
The installation of your laminate flooring is paramount. Most laminate flooring can be installed by yourself, but Mohawk makes this process so much easier with their impressive UniClic technology that simply locks the planks into place.
This technology also helps the floor to hold its shape much better than a normal tongue and groove click installation, and is sealed and settled much stronger than usual.
Whilst this laminate can be used by professionals, it has been designed to make DIY installation all too easy.
Size
You will have to consider the correct sizing when purchasing laminate flooring planks as they come in so many different shapes and sizes to choose from.
You can also choose from wood planks for a modern look, or stone planks for a more square like, tiled look.
AC Rating
Most laminate planks will be given an AC rating, which shows the value in the planks.
Some start at AC1 to AC5, with the highest ratings of AC5 being suitable for public and commercial installations where there will be extremely high traffic, and the floor will be walked upon many times, day in day out.
AC5 is a far too high rating for domestic use, and for most laminate in the home, you will want to aim for a sturdy AC3 rating.
Laminate Construction
The great thing about the RevWood series is that it is made from real wood, however it will still have recycled wood inside for extra durability.
The core of the laminate flooring is real wood, but the top layer is all laminate. It is pressed wood, not a solid block, for long lasting durability.
This is much better than PVC cores as this will not warp, bend or damage easily, and will last you much longer.
Warranty
In most cases, all Mohawk laminate flooring will comes with a lifetime residential warranty, however some styles and options have limited warranties for up to 20 years.
Price
We know how important it can be to keep to a budget when refurbishing, so we have picked three options to look at when it comes to the RevWood series from Mohawk.
These three options are between $2 to $6 per square foot, so that you know exactly what to expect when purchasing.
Obviously, the price will differ depending on which colors, styles and types of laminate wood that you choose.
However, the RevWood Plus is the most expensive option, followed by the RevWood Select, with the cheapest option being the basic RevWood. Keep this in mind when making your choice of flooring.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have created a frequently asked question section here to help you with any of your queries during your purchase or during the installation of your laminate flooring.
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about Mohawk laminate flooring and how to install it for the best results.
Can I sand or buff out scratches on my laminate flooring?
The answer to this really depends on how deep the scratch is on the flooring, but then the general answer is no.
The wear layer on laminate flooring is typically quite thin and so sanding and buffing is not recommended for this type of floor.
In addition, sanding and buffing can also remove the waterproof sealant layer, which may further damage the laminate planks.
Is there a set time after install before I can use the floor?
Yes, there will be a set time that you will have to wait before using the laminate flooring. This is mainly due to the fact that heat, humidity and cold temperatures can cause wood or laminate to swell, expand and constrict.
By waiting the set time, there will be enough time for the planks to expand and relax before using, and they can acclimatise to the environment for the best results.
Why do I have to cut the tongue side of the first row?
The first row will need to have the tongue side cut off to give you a flat edge to line up with during installation.
This is because the tongue is a weak spot, and if it is pressed up against a wall, then it may cause your floor to shift, or develop some cracks, which you do not want, so you will simply have to cut it off.
Is Mohawk RevWood Plus really waterproof?
Yes, Mohawk RevWood is actually waterproof once it is installed! The individual planks themselves are not waterproof, and if there is any moisture that gets into the core, then it will cause some damage.
However, once this is installed, the floor creates a watertight seal, with a protective coating, which can prevent water from getting in and causing damage, making it effectively waterproof.
Summary
Mohawk are a manufacturer of some of the finest laminate flooring available.
With many different styles from wood grains to stone, and over 1000 colors and sizes to choose from, we are sure that you will find the perfect fit for your home and your floors.
Our best picks of Mohawk laminate flooring are the RevWood lines, including the Select and Plus series of planks for the most stunning results.
These types of laminate flooring are cost effective, long wearing, with easy installation, that making the switch to laminate flooring has never been easier!
