What is Laminate Flooring?
If you’re remodeling a house to flip or updating your own, laminate flooring should be on your list of things to consider. What is laminate flooring? This is the flooring material you want that will give you up to 25 years or longer life span! Laminate flooring is composed of three layers:
- Bottom layer is a dense core of plywood or fiberboard providing stability and strength.
- The next layer is a photo-realistic, high-resolution image layer that typically mimics wood, but various types of metal or stone images are available.
- The top layer is the protective wear layer that provides hardness and protection.
This flooring has been used for approximately 50 years, adding design, style, and value to homes all across the country. It withstands the wear and tear of a busy household and never loses its appeal.
Is there laminate flooring that looks like tile?
With endless options that high-resolution makes possible with laminate flooring, you can choose any look you want for your home. There are 3 basic duplications that are popular with laminate flooring:
- Wood
- Stone
- Tile
Each is composed of the 3 layers described earlier: particle board, photographic layer, and a protective layer. When a real tile isn’t possible, you can choose laminate flooring that looks just like the real deal!
Is laminate flooring ruined if it gets wet?
Yes, if water gets beyond the protective layer and into the particle board, the boards will swell, warp, and weaken the glue. Can you repair damaged laminate flooring? Yes, with the following steps you may be able to salvage your laminated flooring.
- Remove Any Standing Water – This step must be done first and immediately! If there is more than an inch of water, use a wet-dry shop vac or pump.
- Remove the Laminate Flooring – Next, remove each floorboard, prying each one up carefully.
- Dry Each Floorboard – Using high-volume fans, dry the flooring thoroughly, and use dehumidifiers if possible. Lift each board for the fan to blow under them, and keep them flat, so they won’t bend or get warped.
- Dry the Subflooring – As the laminate flooring boards dry, get any remaining water up from the subflooring, using towels to soak the excess water up and fans to get the area thoroughly dry. If needed, use soap with warm water to clean the subfloor and disinfect with bleach water to prevent mold.
- Dry the Floorboards – Once the boards are cleaned, use clean towels to dry them thoroughly and allow them to air dry.
- Reinstall the Floorboards – Now you can reinstall the floorboards, replace any damaged boards, then install the laminate flooring.
What type of laminate flooring is waterproof, what is the best waterproof laminate flooring?
To be sure you don’t have water-damaged laminate flooring, go with a luxury vinyl plank flooring. It will have all the same benefits that basic laminate flooring offers but is legitimately waterproof. There are many options with this luxury grade and is installed as easily as the laminate flooring you know today.
Look for laminate flooring that states it has special coatings and is made with special materials that make it waterproof. It will typically have special installation techniques that make it survive spills, pet accidents, and even standing water better.
What is the best way to clean laminate flooring?
The first thing you should know about cleaning laminate flooring is DO NOT soak it in standing water! Even with luxury laminate flooring, you should be careful not to let water stand for long periods of time. There are products on the market that are made for cleaning laminate flooring. If those aren’t available, you use 1 teaspoon of unscented clear dish soap OR 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo with 1 gallon of clear water.
What is the difference between laminate and vinyl flooring?
Budget-friendly and easy-care describe both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring. There are several common things about both of these flooring materials:
- Easy Install: If you go without the foam underlayment for laminate flooring or the sheeting used for vinyl flooring, you can install your own flooring with ease.
- Easy Maintenance: Both vinyl and laminate flooring are easy to maintain. Simply mop as instructed above, or they can be swept or vacuumed as needed.
- Eco-Friendliness: Both of these flooring materials are environmentally friendly when you shop the right options.
- Cost: Laminate flooring can be found at lower prices than vinyl, depending on the style and features you want.
Long-Lasting Laminate Flooring
No matter how much you pay, you want to get the longest lifespan possible from your flooring. So, just how long does laminate flooring last? Depending on the quality of the laminate flooring you choose, you can get as long as 25 years when it is properly cared for, including removing standing water as soon as possible.