When people consider the types of flooring they want in their home, laminate wood flooring often ranks highly. Cheaper than hardwood yet more durable than vinyl, laminate flooring strikes a vital middle ground for many homeowners.
In addition, its durability makes it resistant to heavy foot traffic. Additionally, cleaning a laminate floor is much easier than keeping carpet clean.
However, many people also want to know, “is laminate flooring waterproof?” The short answer is no. Nevertheless, several companies have made efforts to waterproof laminate flooring.
In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at laminate flooring’s ability to resist water damage. We’ll also compare it to other popular flooring options.
Is Laminate Flooring Waterproof? Find the Long Answer Here
To understand the question in greater depth, we must first explore how manufacturers create laminate flooring. Manufacturers create laminate planks by layering many pieces of composite wood over one another.
Towards the surface of the composite, they place an image resembling wood through the use of HD photography. Finally, they encase the planks in a durable finish to protect the floor from various sources of wear and tear.
On its own, this finish has water-resistant properties. For example, if you spill water on the floor, it likely won’t damage the planks. However, excessive standing water can penetrate the finish and weaken the lower layers.
However, many companies have found ways to increase laminate flooring’s durability to the point of making it waterproof. So, before you purchase laminate flooring for your home, thoroughly examine the company’s stock. You may be able to buy waterproof flooring for relatively affordable prices.
Waterproof Capabilities of Different Types of Flooring
If waterproofing is a critical concern for you in your flooring, it may help to compare the different types of flooring’s waterproof features. To that end, we’ll compare laminate flooring to vinyl and hardwood here.
Vinyl and Laminate Flooring
The debate between vinyl vs laminate flooring seems to come down in vinyl’s favor. Vinyl material has more natural water-resistant capabilities, enabling it to endure larger spills. It’s less likely to warp due to water damage.
However, some manufacturers create laminate with waterproof properties. If waterproofing is a concern for you, make sure to buy laminate that comes from these manufacturers. Otherwise, vinyl may be the wiser choice.
Laminate and Hardwood Flooring
In many cases, hardwood flooring is less resistant to water than its laminate counterpart. When water comes into contact with wood, it usually causes the wood to warp and bend. In contrast, laminate floors often feature more water-resistant and waterproof abilities.
However, some species of hardwood do resist water in high capacities. White oak, for instance, is a hardwood that often finds use in boat decks. If you buy these hardwoods, though, be ready to pay much higher prices.
Find the Flooring for Your Home!
The question, “Is laminate flooring waterproof?” is surprisingly complex. If you’re still on the fence about laminate flooring, check out a few brands today! In particular, look for brands that offer waterproofing technology.
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