Laminate was the material of choice for a long-lasting floating floor that required little to no upkeep until the advent of vinyl plank flooring. Because laminate flooring is so incredibly durable, it is an excellent choice for areas with a lot of foot activity. Additionally, because of the way it is constructed, it can be easily installed on top of concrete subfloors, making it an ideal material for condominiums and basements.
Comparison of Laminate and Vinyl Plank Flooring
However, when vinyl plank was first introduced, it had one advantage that laminate just could not compete with, and this advantage was a significant one: it was impermeable. The product known as "Vinyl Plank" is made of vinyl, which is a kind of plastic. In contrast to goods based on wood, Vinyl Plank does not swell or contract, which means that flooring made of Vinyl Plank are immune to damage caused by moisture. Laminate, on the other hand, is a product that is derived from wood while including a significant amount of synthetic components. As a result of its core consisting of either HDF or another kind of wood byproduct, it will expand and contract in the same manner as hardwood. The core suffers water damage when it absorbs an excessive amount of moisture, which causes the top layer to bubble and deaminate, which in turn causes significant damage to the floor.
Waterproof Laminate Flooring
In spite of this, laminate makers have spent the better part of the past couple of years attempting to find a solution to this issue, and they have been successful... to some degree. They have been successful in developing a waterproof laminate flooring that is resistant to water (not to be confused with waterproof, which would mean complete imperiousness to water damage). Because these new lines of laminate flooring are resistant to all types of surface spills, they are suitable for installation in spaces that experience high levels of humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and entryways. In the event that specific circumstances are satisfied, they even come with a warranty that protects against water damage brought on by accidents. Visit our showroom and have a conversation with one of our staff members if you are interested in learning more about certain goods and the warranties that accompany them.
Seamless Construction and Waterproofing
Because the HDF core of the laminate is its Achilles' heel, producers are coming up with inventive ways to stop water from reaching the core in the first place. They are doing this in a number of ways, one of which is by reinforcing the joints that are present between the planks. Certain lines of Quick-Step use a bevel that is "rolled and pushed," which results in an exceptionally secure junction. After that, the junction is waterproofed and finished off with a finish, which makes it entirely airtight. The surface of the waterproof laminate flooring is also given an application of the same seal to ensure that there is no possibility of surface penetration. Both the airtight connections and the waterproof coating work together to guarantee that water from puddles will not seep down into the planks of the flooring. There is no risk of water damage occurring to the laminate, so long as these puddles are cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time.
Instead of Floods, There Are Spills.
Even laminate that is resistant to water may be damaged by flooding. A flood may occur in your home if one of the following things happens: an appliance springs a leak; a sink or bathtub overflows; heavy rainfall penetrates your roof and makes its way onto your floor. The volume of water that accumulates during floods may cause severe damage to water-resistant grey laminate flooring if it is exposed to it. The water will ultimately make its way into the core of the product, which will most likely cause it to deaminate as it makes its way around the room and finally up into the centre of the product.
The majority of the time, however, the kind of water damage that poses a risk to your laminate flooring occurs not in the form of floods but rather as spills. Accidental spills are something that happen all the time. Someone may, for instance, knock over a glass of water or forget to bring their winter boots inside, causing them to thaw in the threshold. In the event that these accidents are cleaned up in a reasonable amount of time, no more than twenty-four hours, water-resistant laminates should be alright. The HDF core will not be damaged since the seams are sealed with an airtight sealant, and the laminate has a particular finish that is designed to be waterproof. This will allow the water to pool on the surface of the floor rather than seeping into the HDF.
Conclusions
Please feel free to email us or give us a call if you have any more inquiries on water-resistant laminate. Even better, if you are looking for laminate flooring near you, and you reside in the Brampton area, come visit our store at 185 Advance Blvd, Unit 1 in Brampton. The Builders Bliss team was made up of professionals that are as passionate about Brampton flooring as they are experienced in the industry. Collectively, we have more than ten years of experience working in the flooring industry. In order to assist you in developing a place that you will adore, we are willing to share with you our knowledge, our skills, and our artistic sense.
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