Kronoswiss Aquastop Laminate Flooring Review

A High-Performance, Water-Resistant Laminate from Switzerland

Overview

Kronoswiss Aquastop Laminate Flooring is a premium water-resistant laminate produced by the Swiss Krono Group, widely recognised as one of the world’s largest and most established laminate flooring manufacturers. Originating from Switzerland—the birthplace of laminate flooring—Aquastop represents Swiss precision, durability, and reliability.

In Australia, Kronoswiss Aquastop is distributed by Preference Floors, and it is positioned as a high-wear, moisture-resistant laminate solution suitable for both residential and light commercial environments.

This review looks beyond brochure language and focuses on how Aquastop performs in real Australian homes.

Construction & Technology

Aquastop laminate is built around a high-density fibreboard (HDF) core, enhanced with Aquastop moisture-resistant technology. The structure includes:

High-resistance overlay for abrasion protection
Decorative paper with realistic timber visuals
HDF core with Aquastop technology
High-value backing paper for stability

The flooring uses the Valinge 5G click system, making installation efficient and secure when handled by experienced installers.

Thickness Options & Water Resistance

Kronoswiss Aquastop is available in three thicknesses, all rated AC5 / Class 33, which is among the highest wear ratings for laminate flooring.

Thickness	Water Resistance
8mm	Up to 48 hours
12mm	Up to 48 hours
14mm	Up to 72 hours

This means everyday spills, wet mopping, and even pet accidents are manageable as long as liquid is detected and cleaned within the specified time.

Important note: Aquastop is water resistant, not waterproof. Flooding, standing water, or steam mops should always be avoided.

Durability & Wear Performance

With an AC5 abrasion rating, Aquastop laminate performs exceptionally well in busy households. In practical terms, it can comfortably handle:

Furniture movement (sofas, beds, fridges)
Children’s toys and daily foot traffic
Pets and claw activity
Heavy static loads such as stone benchtops and pianos

The main risk, as with all laminate flooring, comes from sharp, concentrated impact, such as dropping heavy appliances or metal tools.

Design & Appearance

One of Aquastop’s strengths is its embossed-in-register (EIR) surface, which closely follows the printed grain pattern. This gives the boards a depth and texture that feels much closer to real timber than standard laminate.

For the Australian market, Kronoswiss has developed exclusive local timber décors, including:

Spotted Gum
Blackbutt

These sit alongside a broad oak colour palette, from light contemporary tones to darker, more dramatic finishes.

The 14mm range features long and wide planks (2025 × 244mm), making it especially suitable for large, open-plan spaces where proportion and scale matter.

Health & Environmental Performance

Aquastop laminate is manufactured to strict European standards and carries an E1 emission rating, meaning VOC levels are comparable to natural timber.

This makes it:

Safe for children
Suitable for pet households
Appropriate for immediate occupancy after installation

The product is made from 100% natural materials, primarily wood, sourced from certified forests, reflecting Swiss Krono’s strong environmental credentials.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Maintenance is simple and practical:

Regular vacuuming or sweeping
Occasional damp mopping (not wet)
Immediate cleanup of spills

Steam mops and electric mops should never be used.

For best results, Bona pH-neutral floor care products are recommended, as they clean effectively without damaging the surface.

Installation Feedback

From installer feedback, Aquastop laminate installs efficiently with the Valinge 5G system. However:

The 14mm long planks require skill and experience
Locking profiles are precise, leaving little room for error
Best results are achieved by experienced flooring installers rather than DIY

When installed correctly on a well-prepared subfloor, the finished result is clean, tight, and visually impressive.

Pros

Extremely durable (AC5 / Class 33)
Strong water resistance (48–72 hours depending on thickness)
Realistic timber look with EIR surface
Australian timber colours available
Long and wide plank options
Easy to clean and maintain
Child- and pet-friendly
Low VOC, environmentally responsible

Cons

More expensive than standard laminate flooring
Long plank versions require skilled installation
Not waterproof — standing water and steam cleaning must be avoided

Overall Rating

★★★★☆ (4 / 5)

Kronoswiss Aquastop Laminate Flooring is a robust, well-engineered laminate that balances durability, water resistance, and refined timber aesthetics. With multiple thickness options, long plank formats, and Australian timber colours, it suits a wide range of modern homes.

If you’re looking for a hard-wearing, water-resistant laminate that feels solid underfoot and looks close to real timber, Aquastop is absolutely worth considering.

Click here to check Kronoswiss Aquastop range 8mm.

Click here to check Kronoswiss Aquastop range 12mm.

Click here to check Kronoswiss Aquastop range 14mm.