Laminate flooring is an incredibly popular hard flooring option, often surpassing wood and vinyl, thanks largely to its favourable price tag. Like any type of flooring, laminate isn’t perfect, and you will do well to understand its common and not so common problems to ensure you are making the right decision over its counterparts.
Common Problems With Laminate Flooring:
Buckling or Warping – Laminate flooring is not waterproof. If you fit laminate in wet or moisture-rich areas, the floor can become damaged, often beyond repair. The result of water or moisture damage will present in the form of buckling, warping, or cracking. The floor will look bent and out of shape, which is unpleasant to the eye and even dangerous. While this may subside when the floor dries, how well the floor returns to its former state depends on many factors. If the process occurs time and time again, you can expect permanent damage, which can only be remedied by replacing the affected plank(s). Therefore, be sure to fit laminate flooring in its intended areas.
Potential to Fade – If laminate flooring is exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight, it may fade. Rooms with large windows are especially susceptible to fading. If this occurs, laminate floor polish can help. The product soaks in and repairs the plank. The polish also restores the shine to faded areas of laminate. However, the best approach is prevention. Simply ensure to close the blinds in susceptible areas on especially sunny days. You can also mitigate potential fading by ensuring that your choice of laminate flooring is AC level 4 and above. AC level, or Abrasion Criteria, is the rating of wear given to laminate flooring, which spans from 1 to 6.
Limited Lifespan – When compared to its closest alternatives, namely luxury vinyl and wood flooring, laminate flooring is at a disadvantage. Luxury vinyl flooring’s typical lifespan is around 15 to 20 years, and that of wood flooring is considerably longer. Laminate flooring’s typical lifespan is 10 to 20 years, so while it appears that you are making savings now, in the long term, you might be spending more.
Artificial Looks – The appearance of laminate flooring results from the printed layer which imprints the designed style, for example, the appearance of natural oak. This mass-produced print layer may come across as artificial, as the patterns are often repetitive. In the case of real oak flooring, the appearance of patterns and colour variation are often uneven, resulting in a truly natural look. Certain laminate floorings are better at masking their inherent artificial heritage than others, so expect this to vary between brands. One way around this is to fit different laminate floorings in different rooms, ensuring that patterns and colours are not repetitive.
Difficult to Repair – As mentioned before, the appearance of laminate flooring is derived from a print layer. If this layer gets damaged, repairing it is hard. Unlike wood, which can be sanded, laminate flooring will require a more localised treatment with a colour filler. If the damage is extensive or the results aren’t up to scratch, the floor will need replacing. This means that laminate flooring is ill-advised in commercial settings, but also in very busy households where the floor might be subjected to extensive wear and tear. In such cases, luxury vinyl might prove more suitable.
Can Be Noisy – Unlike wood, which is often glued or nailed down, laminate flooring (and equally luxury vinyl) doesn’t need to be joined to the subfloor and uses a floating installation. While this sounds great as it reduces the installation cost, it makes the floor noisier. Thankfully, this can be easily mitigated by installing an acoustic underlay.
Requires A Smooth Subfloor – The thin nature of laminate flooring, typically 4mm to 12mm thick, transfers any subfloor imperfection to a less than perfect underfoot feeling. Basically, if you have any nails, cracks, or any other subfloor imperfections, these will be noticeable when walking on the laminate flooring. Therefore, you will need to ensure a smooth subfloor prior to installation.
Low Appeal – Homes with natural flooring tend to fetch a higher price because natural materials are more sought after. In the case of laminate flooring, you will be competing against its solid and engineered wood flooring counterparts, which are both types of real wood flooring and therefore are more desirable.
Where Does This Leave You?
As stated earlier, no flooring is immune from certain problems, and this includes laminate flooring. Nevertheless, laminate flooring of the right kind in the right circumstances can more than rise up to the challenge. We recommend that if you are venturing in this direction, opt for boards in thicknesses of 8mm to 12mm with an AC level of 4 and above. Be sure to fit in dry areas only.
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FAQ
What Are Common Issues with Laminate Flooring?
Laminate flooring, while cost-effective and popular, can experience problems such as buckling, warping, and fading. These issues often arise from water damage, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and inherent design limitations.
Is Laminate Flooring Water Resistant?
No, laminate flooring is susceptible to water damage. Exposure to moisture can lead to buckling, warping, or cracking. It’s crucial to install laminate flooring in dry areas and avoid places with high moisture levels.
How Does Laminate Flooring Respond to Sunlight?
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause laminate flooring to fade. This is particularly noticeable in rooms with large windows. Using blinds on sunny days and choosing laminate with a higher AC (Abrasion Criteria) level can mitigate this fading.
How Does the Durability of Laminate Flooring Compare to Other Options?
Laminate flooring typically has a shorter lifespan compared to luxury vinyl or wood flooring. Its lifespan ranges between 10 to 20 years, which may lead to more frequent replacements compared to other flooring types.
Can Laminate Flooring be Repaired Easily?
Repairing laminate flooring can be challenging due to its printed layer. Damage often requires localised treatment with a colour filler, and extensive damage might necessitate replacement. This makes laminate less suitable for high-traffic areas or commercial settings.