Laminate floors are great for homes because their wood grain design looks great, they are very easy to maintain, and they have a firm yet comfortable surface that is ideal for creating a lovely home environment.
We all love the look and feel of laminate floors in bedrooms and living rooms, but most people avoid using these floors in bathrooms and kitchens since normal laminate planks are not waterproof.
Luckily, you can now get waterproof laminate flooring. In this guide, we will show you why these floors are perfect for rooms that endure lots of splashes.
What Is Waterproof Laminate Flooring?
This type of flooring is engineered wood planks with a waterproof layer on the top and another wear-resistant layer on the bottom. They can be made of any wood, but they are often made of oak, maple, or beech. They are installed by gluing them down to a waterproof plywood floor.
Regular laminate flooring may be cheaper, but it will not hold up to water damage from spills or flooding in the kitchen or bathroom. Waterproof laminate flooring won’t allow any liquid to seep through and will protect your floors from water damage, so your investment in a new floor doesn’t go to waste.
Waterproof laminate flooring is made with a special protective coating or barrier that makes it impossible for liquid or water to penetrate the floor, which will protect your home from damage due to liquid seepage.
For extra protection against liquid penetration of your laminate floors, waterproof laminates are coated with an aluminium oxide topcoat. This complex coating gives you all the benefits of standard laminate floors along with added resistance against scratching, denting, and staining.
Along with being resistant to liquid penetration, some waterproof laminates will have a built-in warranty against staining on their product packaging. Be sure to check this out when shopping for waterproof surfaces, so you know your warranty will cover any future damage.
Benefits of Waterproof Laminate Flooring
Choosing laminate flooring with a waterproof coating can offer you a great many benefits. Here is a quick look at the top benefits of choosing this type of laminate flooring over other types of vinyl flooring.
Benefit#1
Since waterproof laminated floors consist of layers of natural wood, they can be sanded and refinished continuously, so waterproof laminated floors will look the same as when they were installed for many years.
Benefit#2
Waterproof laminated floors are also very durable – they will not dent or scratch if something heavy is dropped on them.
Benefit#3
Waterproof laminate floors are waterproof, so you can wipe them up if you have spilt liquid. There’s no need to dry the floor first since waterproof laminate flooring is waterproof. And if someone accidentally drops a cup of coffee on the floor, wipe it up and keep going.
Benefit#4
Cleaning waterproof laminate floors is very easy – use a mild detergent and warm water and then dry with a clean towel or rag. You can’t use steel wool or scouring pads on waterproof laminate floors.
Benefit#5
Waterproof laminated floors are low maintenance since they don’t need to be refinished every year, waxed, sanded, or maintained in any way.
Why Waterproof Laminate Flooring Is Effective?
Laminate flooring is a type of hardwood flooring that has been infused with a laminate coating. The laminate coating gives the flooring increased resistance to water and stains, making it perfect for kitchens and bathrooms, as well as areas where accidental spills might happen. Laminate flooring also offers increased durability and can be easily cleaned. It’s also easy to install and provides a wide variety of colours and patterns that you can choose from.
Two of the most significant factors that determine the appearance and durability of laminate flooring are the quality of the underlayment and how strong and durable you want your floor to be. Waterproof laminate flooring has a thicker, more-dense underlayment than regular. This makes it highly effective at resisting water damage and absorbing shock from traffic on the floor.
Since waterproof laminate is designed to prevent penetration by liquid, it can also protect against other beverages such as juice or soda splashed out of open cups. The higher density of the waterproof laminate prevents liquids from seeping into the underlayment and damaging your floors. Therefore, although waterproof laminate does not guarantee that your floors will never get wet, it provides increased protection against wetness.
The Best Way to Protect Laminate Flooring
The best way to protect your laminate floor is by using a steam cleaner to clean both sides of the planks at once or having them professionally cleaned after each cleaning cycle. If you notice any scratches on the surface that might show through your protective finish, consider using an epoxy filler and applying another coat of protection for added performance. Consider all these factors before deciding which type of lamination is right for you.
Most laminate floors are waterproof because they have two robust layers protecting the substrate layer underneath. Even so, not all products come with manufacturers’ warranties unless mentioned explicitly in their terms, so you’ll have to pay if something goes wrong during regular use within this timeframe.
The Materials Used for Waterproof Laminate Flooring
The materials used for laminate flooring in bathrooms and kitchens are quite different from the materials used for your average laminate flooring. Here is a quick look at the main differences between waterproof and normal laminate flooring.
Waterproof Underlayments
The waterproof underlayment is a thin layer of closed-cell foam insulation that adds warmth to the laminate flooring and creates a softness that allows it to be walked on comfortably. It also provides an insulating barrier from the colder flooring below, which makes the laminate flooring more comfortable to walk on during the winter months.
Waterproof Glue
Waterproof glue is a layer of industrial glue that binds the planks together and prevents water from seeping through cracks in between them. It creates a strong bond so that any loose or wobbly planks won’t come off quickly because it would require concerted effort to pry them up and pull them out.
Top Coat
The topcoat is what gives the laminate floor its polished look. Most topcoats are made from polyurethane, which gives it a shiny appearance and provides greater consistency throughout all batches being manufactured at once.
Advantages of Waterproof Laminate Flooring
Pro#1
Waterproof laminate flooring is the latest innovation in the industry, and it is still trying to find its way into homes. This type of flooring has a waterproof coating that can withstand spills, dirt, and other common debris.
The treatment will only weaken if the coating begins to peel or fade away. With this type of laminate flooring, you don’t have to worry about as much as you would with traditional wooden floors because there is no risk of mould or mildew building up due to water damage.
Pro#2
Traditional wooden floors can warp and crack over time due to flooding and other natural disasters that disrupt the ground below. When water seeps into your house, it can find its way through your floors and compromise your home’s integrity over time. This can be a big problem if you have a basement or a low-lying area.
The water damage could lead to mould and mildew that can cause respiratory problems in some homes. It also poses a security risk because it compromises the structural integrity of your house, which means criminals who want entry into your home can easily break-in. These problems could be avoided with waterproof laminate flooring because it will not absorb any water into the ground, and there is no risk of mould or mildew growing on top of that.
Pro#3
Waterproof laminate flooring also has advantages over traditional wooden floors because they can be very durable and protected from common household accidents. Waterproof laminate floors have a protective layer on top of the wood that is resistant to scratches and cracks, so there is no need to worry about any damage or debris getting caught in your flooring.
They are designed with a very realistic-looking wood grain pattern, making them highly desirable for homeowners who want to add a more rustic touch to their homes. There are also different colours and styles, so you can customize your flooring to match the rest of your décor.
Disadvantages Of Waterproof Laminate Flooring
The only disadvantage of this type of flooring is that it does not look as warm or inviting as traditional wooden floors. The waterproof coating makes it shiny and slippery when wet, so homeowners may need to invest in some floor mats or rugs to ensure that their floor does not become a potential health hazard.
Summary
Waterproof laminate flooring is a good option for many homeowners because it can be installed in any house room. It also resists stains and scratches better than other floors, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like family rooms or kitchens. If you’re looking to install this type of flooring, we recommend using a professional installer so that your installation goes smoothly without any problems or leaks.
We hope that you found our guide useful. If you enjoyed this guide, then we recommend you also have a look at some of the other guides on Healthy Handymen. Our site offers the best DIY tips and advice so you can improve your home effectively and affordably.
