Tarkett Laminate Flooring: Reviews, Prices, Pros & Cons VS Other Brands 2024

Tarkett laminate is a popular laminate brand with two distribution methods. Some lines are sold exclusively at Menards home improvement stores. The other lines are sold by a wide range of online and bricks & mortar stores.

Tarkett laminate cost is $.99 to $3.29 per square foot depending on the cost factors explained below.

This Tarkett laminate review and guide includes reviews of each line and costs. The Tarkett laminate pros and cons allow you to compare this brand with others you are considering.

We've prepared similar reviews for major brands like Armstrong, Pergo, Mohawk, TrafficMaster and others.

Tarkett Laminate Flooring Overview

Tarkett laminate is made in entry-level, midgrade and premium lines.

This table is another easy way to compare this brand with others we've reviewed.

Sold at Menards

Sold Elsewhere

Pricing Notes: The prices in the table are for laminate planks only. Extras including underlayment (if needed), transition strips and other installation supplies typically cost $.50 to $1.00 per square foot.

Installation labor cost is $1.75-$2.50 for most homes. Installing laminate on a staircase costs up to $35 per step.

Tarkett Laminate Reviews

Let's start with the Tarkett lines sold at Menards.

Tarkett Laminate at Menards

As noted, there are three levels of quality in the lines sold at Menards. The selection isn't as wide as Tarkett laminate sold more broadly. Prices are better, though.

Menards Tarkett Laminate: Most Affordable

This inexpensive Tarkett laminate includes two styles.

The rustic/traditional style features images of wider planks, knots in the wood and plenty of character. It has a hand-sewn appearance.

The contemporary/modern looks in Walnut and Oak show narrower, “cleaner” planks without knots but with rich, open wood grain.

The planks are 8mm thick and do not have pad attached. The AC3 rating is suitable for residential installation but not commercial (AC4) use.

This inexpensive Tarkett laminate is backed by a 25-year warranty – longer than the 15-year warranty on the cheapest TrafficMaster laminate from Home Depot.

The modern designs fit any style home, and are most suited to those with contemporary architecture and décor.

Menards Tarkett Laminate: Midgrade

Like the cheap Tarkett laminate, the mid-priced flooring is available in two styles, both 9.2mm thick.

Rustic designs look worn and distressed.  The image of the wood shows rich character.

The contemporary Tarkett laminate in the midgrade lines have classic wood floor appearance. There's plenty of woodgrain on display, and the lines are clean and neat.

This laminate also has an AC3 rating for residential but not commercial use. It comes with a 30-year warranty.

Menards Tarkett Laminate: Premium

This is Tarkett Aquaflor laminate flooring that has a waterproof warranty against water damage. It says, "Aquaflor is backed with a 24-hour moisture protection warranty - it will not be damaged by everyday spills provided they are removed within 24 hours".

Aquaflor is available in light, medium and dark tones in rustic and contemporary styles. It is also coated to be slip-resistant flooring.

The planks are 10mm thick and have a wear rating of AC4. That makes the flooring suitable for light commercial use. Tarkett Aquaflor laminate is backed with a Lifetime residential warranty and a 10-year light commercial warranty.

The Aquaflor waterproof warranty makes it a wonderful choice for busy households where spills happen and sometimes don't get cleaned up right away. It's pet-friendly for this reason too. Aquaflor is also popular with homeowners that prefer to wet-mop and don't want a floor that have to be overly water-conscious about.

Tarkett Laminate Sold at Various Retailers

The Tarkett laminate lines not sold at Menards have more colors and a wider range of options.

You'll also notice that prices vary more, since there are more sellers. In fact, you can find it for sale at higher prices than we list, but most are within the range given.

Some sellers offer free or reduced shipping, and that affects total cost. Shop around for the Tarkett laminate you want, and you'll find the best prices.

Here's what is available.

Tarkett Laminate: Most Affordable

Oak, Maple and Walnut colors are on display in this affordable Tarkett laminate collection.

Colors are neutral and medium to warm and dark. The images on the laminate are of traditional hardwood flooring. Some are quite bold; others are understated.

Your options include a nice mix of woodgrain appearance, some with character like knots and stains.

This is 8mm laminate that is backed by a 20-year residential warranty. The wear rating is AC3, not suitable for commercial use.

It's also popular in part-time locations like a vacation home or guest apartment.

The images and colors in this laminate line are best suited to homes with traditional style. If you've considered domestic hardwood flooring in oak, maple, hickory, walnut and other classic species, then this flooring is a good option.

Tarkett Laminate: Midgrade

In terms of style, most architectural and interior design styles are covered including rustic, Old World, traditional, eclectic, modern and contemporary.

Tarkett Laminate: Premium

Thickness isn't always an indicator of quality. Neither is cost! Tarkett's best laminate is produced in 8mm planks. It's backed by a Lifetime warranty plus 15-year light commercial and 10-year commercial coverage. The rating is AC4.

Cost is less than $2.70 per square foot.

The cost is lower because less and different core materials are used to make it. The flooring is also harder than most laminate, so isn't as comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

Fewer styles are available than in the midgrade Tarkett, but you still have an attractive range of choices in lines called Vintage, Heritage and Woodstock.

The color spectrum is covered from nearly-white and golden Oak to medium-brown and richly dark hues.

There's no reason not to put it in your home – a very durable floor that will look great for 15 years or more.

Stylistically, you should be able to find at least a couple good choices for your interior design scheme among the 10 or so colors available in most areas.

Special Features of Tarkett Laminate

There is a "special features" section in each of our laminate flooring reviews. They differentiate the laminate brands for comparison.

Low Allergens/Asthma risk: Most Tarkett laminate flooring is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

It obtains this certification because it doesn't retain allergens like carpet does, is low in VOCs, doesn't require cleaning with harsh chemicals and doesn't expose the household to airborne chemicals that are toxic or cause irritation.

Waterproof flooring: Aquaflor, discussed above, flooring and its warranty are similar to Shaw Repel, Mohawk RevWood Plus, Pergo lines with WetProtect and others with a short-term waterproof warranty.

Longer warranties: Tarkett warranties in the midgrade and premium lines are among the longest available. Like most, they are prorated – and that's a downside. The proration is steep with Tarkett.

For example, the 25-year residential warranty covers labor and material 100% the first two years, material 100% in years 3-5 and then just 50% of material in years 6-10. Then it's 25% of material in years 11-20 and 10% in years 21-25. By comparison, Armstrong is prorated after the first year. Mohawk proration doesn't start until year 7.

It always makes sense to compare warranties before making a laminate floor purchase.

Tarkett Pros, Cons and Ratings

Here's a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Tarkett laminate flooring.

Pros:

Both the products sold at Menards and other locations offer a pretty good selection, though not as large as Pergo, Shaw or Armstrong. The range is from fairly cheap flooring to good-quality.

The Aquaflor is a premium line.

Warranties are good including 3 lines with commercial warranties of 10 or 15 years. But as noted, they are prorated, and the value of what Tarkett will do for you if the floor fails drops quickly.

The flooring is FloorScore rated plus the Asthma and Allergy Foundation certificate for indoor air quality.

Cons:

The most affordable Tarkett at Menards is cheap. Expect 5 years use with heavy traffic and up to 12 with light traffic.

Here are the ratings:

FAQs

Q: Will I need to acclimate Tarkett’s laminate flooring before I install it in my home?

A: Yes. You need to make sure the room is at least 59 degrees, and the boxes need to be acclimated for at least 48 hours. You’ll also want to leave the plastic on and stack the cartons horizontally.

Q: Where can I purchase Tarkett’s laminate collections?

A: Tarkett’s products are available at authorized dealers throughout the United States, along with exclusive lines that are available through Menards.

Q: Can I use Tarkett’s laminate flooring with a radiant floor heating system?

A: Yes, but only if the heating element is embedded in the subfloor. Systems that use heating foil aren’t ideal, so you’ll want to check with Tarkett and the manufacturer of the system beforehand in those instances.

Q: Are VOCs a problem with laminate flooring from Tarkett?

A: No. Tarkett’s laminate collections are FloorScore certified, so they will not produce harmful VOCs or adversely affect your indoor air quality. Their laminate is also certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Q: Does Tarkett have a laminate line that’s better suited for damp areas like bathrooms and kitchens?

A: AquaFlor is an excellent choice for areas prone to spills or moisture, and it’s backed with a 24-hour moisture protection guarantee.

Q: Can I install Tarkett laminate over carpet?

A: In most cases, no, it’s not advised, especially if it’s deep pile or thick carpeting. The company says you can install Tarkett laminate over direct glue carpet in the industrial class, however.

Q: Can I use Tarkett laminate flooring in a commercial setting?

A: Yes, but the commercial warranty is considerably shorter on residential collections. If you want something durable for your business, the company has an excellent line of commercial products as well.