My bathroom floor is the pits. I’ve been looking at options. I know wood in a no-no, but is laminate flooring okay for a bathroom?
Only if you’re looking for a hardworking, inexpensive and beautiful bathroom floor. If that’s what you want, then bathroom laminate flooring can fit the bill… and more.
Today’s bathroom laminate flooring is not your mother’s photo finished floors. Back in the 70’s, laminate floors were great new addition for any room of the house but the bathroom. Well, times have changed and so has laminate. Water was the culprit then, peeling away the layers and although, water is still destructive to many floor types, laminate flooring that’s made specifically for bathrooms can stand up to the challenge.
This wonder floor from the 70’s was invented by a Swedish company and now holds its own with the likes of high end floors like hardwood and tile. Today, bathroom laminate flooring is waterproof and nearly indestructible. To make it even better… it’s an affordable option.
A Brief Primer on Laminate Flooring
Laminate is simply layers of material laminated together to create a great looking bathroom floor. It’s starts with a waterproof backing layer that will not only keeps out the water, but will protect it from warping. A high-density fiberboard goes on top of that to give the new bathroom laminate flooring strength. After that comes the image – a high-quality photograph. Do you want hardwood flooring? No problem. What about burlwood or Brazilain koa? That’s no problem either. If it’s tile, stone or even concrete you want… well, you guessed it, that’s fine, too. The laminate layers are then topped with a transparent and tough top coating to protect it from scuffs and fading.
Choosing Bathroom Laminate Flooring
Just like any other design choose for your bathroom, laminate flooring needs a little consideration. First, decide what the right style is for your bathroom. Fortunately, you’ll have plenty of options from style to colors that fit your bathroom decor. Then, make sure you’re choosing bathroom laminate flooring that’s specifically made for high moisture areas. There is a difference and not every laminate floor will work in the bathroom. Also, buy the best product you can afford. Some of the best laminate flooring has been tested and rated by the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA), so look for their seal of approval. And last, make sure you understand the warranty on your new bathroom laminate flooring. These floors can get a lot of abuse, so it’s important to know the length of the warranty, as well as the specifics it covers.
Bathroom Laminate Flooring for the Do-It-Yourselfer
Laminate flooring is one of the easiest types of floors to install. Many call it the snap-and-go floor, because it just snaps together. But, that said, it’s still important to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s installation directions. This is because some laminate may require special types of caulking and moldings. After installation, it is very important to follow proper cleaning or maintenance techniques recommended by the manufacturer. Also, to ensure that your flooring last a long time, you need to wipe any spill and water immediately to prevent water from getting under the flooring. Bathroom laminate flooring is an attractive and durable flooring, that cleans up quickly and withstands the abuse of a busy family.
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Installing a bathroom laminate flooring really is easy… even I can do it. But before I do anything around the house, I want to know all the facts. For me that usually means heading to a book. And when that book tells me how to install and repair all different types of flooring… well all the better. I like the Black and Decker books because they’re filled with easy to understand information. Take this book on the left, Flooring: Installation Made Easy. Not only does it cover laminate flooring, but wood and tile, too. So after you’ve installed you new bathroom laminate flooring you can move on to your new ceramic kitchen floor and hardwood dining room floor…
The Complete Guide to Flooring
