LAMINATE ISN’T THE SAME AS WATERPROOF LAMINATE FLOORING, AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners who desire a traditional hardwood look but require ease of installation. Laminate, as a man-made surface, can replicate many different natural surfaces, including wood grain and even marble. Those who want waterproof laminate flooring in their bathrooms or basement should first understand how laminate is comprised.
Traditional laminate flooring combines several different materials to create a durable, easy to install surface. Laminate consists of:
- A transparent top layer designed to withstand wear, fading and scratches.
- A design layer, which superimposes a high-resolution image of the desired floor material on the surface, including wood, stone, or metal
- An inner core made from high-density fiberboard that’s supported with resin to promote moisture resistance and improve resilience.
- The bottom backing layer that’s designed to resist moisture.
While moisture-resistant properties are included in traditional laminate flooring, damp areas such as bathrooms are constantly exposed to moisture. Over time, it’s possible for excessive moisture to warp wood-based laminate flooring.
Thankfully, there is another option. Waterproof laminate flooring exists as a separate entity to traditional wood-based laminate. Design associates at Floor Coverings International know the difference and are excited to show shoppers all possible laminate flooring options available, wood-based and waterproof.
True waterproof laminate flooring is actually comprised entirely of plastic. Introduced in the 1990’s, it was once considered laughable as a plausible flooring option. Currently, it’s the fastest-growing type of flooring due to affordability, durability, stain-resistance, and ease of installation.
INSTALLING WATERPROOF LAMINATE FLOORING
Installing plastic waterproof laminate flooring takes around four hours to complete and can be done with or without professional help. Instead of using nails or glue, plastic-laminate floors use a floating-floor method. Planks are snapped together, laid, and then floated above a rubber underlayment.
Although plastic laminate flooring is easy to install, there are some tricks and tips that can be helpful during the installation process:
- Remove shoe molding around baseboards while leaving the baseboard molding intact.
- Trim door casings and side jams to ensure that flooring will fit securely underneath.
- Prepare the subfloor by tamping down nails sticking out from the surface.
- Roll out the underlayment and trim it with a knife, making sure not to overlap.
- Measure your flooring entirely before laying the planks.
- Rent a manual laminate-flooring cutter (instead of using a saw) to prevent excess dust and debris.
- Snap planks together moving from end-to-end.
Choosing new flooring can be overwhelming, but design associates at Floor Coverings International are eager to help you make the best purchase possible for your aesthetic and financial needs. Contact Floor Coverings International for a free estimate on waterproof laminate flooring today!
Related Tags: Waterproof Laminate Flooring | Laminate Waterproof Flooring
