Are you interested in getting the look and warmer feel of hardwood without worrying about high-maintenance needs or water damage? If so, waterproof laminate flooring is the way to go.
Laminate Flooring & Waterproof Durability
First, let’s review a little bit about laminate floor products. They are a hybrid floor covering. The base layer is made of a pressed fiberboard/resin core. The pressed fiberboard layer is covered by real-as-life artistic renderings of whatever hardwood species and finish selected, then topped with a durable protective coating.
Laminate floor products were invented by Sweden in 1977 to provide a more affordable alternative to natural hardwood flooring. They became increasingly popular, even in the higher-end flooring market, because businesses with high-traffic volumes or busy homeowners also appreciated their ease of maintenance and ability to withstand heavy wear and tear without scratching. Laminate floors are also more stain and water-resistant than natural wood.
That said, the particleboard base was prone to swelling or warping in the presence of longstanding water – such as a flood or a spill that went unnoticed and got into the joints between the panels. As a result, laminate flooring manufacturers have forged on, creating ever-stronger transparent top layers for wear and tear protection.
5 Benefits of Choosing Waterproof Flooring For Your Home
Working with a professional flooring provider such as Creative Floors is essential when making waterproof laminate options for your home. There are only a limited number of laminate options considered “waterproof.” The rest are deemed water-resistant, but can still allow moisture to penetrate the underlayers, where fiberboard particles swell, causing damage or the potential for mold/mildew outbreaks.
Choosing the right laminate product is the only way you’ll reap these top benefits of waterproof laminate floor coverings:
1. Lifetime affordability
Even higher-end, waterproof laminate flooring lines offer lifetime affordability benefits compared to natural hardwood or other luxury flooring options.
This is because you won’t have to deal with the costs associated with a lifetime of sealing, stripping/refinishing, repairing, or replacing materials. In the chance you do need to replace a section of laminate flooring, ease of installation keeps labor costs to a minimum.
2. Less worry about spills, accidents, or the unpredictable
Do you have kids or pets? Are you (or your partner) prone to spilling? Is your home the go-to place for sporting events or holidays? If so, waterproof laminate flooring means never stressing about the floor again.
Durable laminate products are:
- Scratch-resistant
- Stain-proof
- Waterproof
- Easy to clean and wipe up
So, the next time a guest spills a glass of red wine or a house-sitter overwaters the indoor plants, you don’t have to worry about a thing. Just use a soft absorbent rag to absorb the moisture, give the spot a quick clean with your favorite laminate floor cleaning products, and the floor will look as good as new.
3. Install them in any room in the house
Regular laminate flooring rarely comes with a waterproof guarantee. Also, some manufacturers have carefully worded warranties. For example, installing their product in the bathroom may mean fewer warranty benefits than installing it in the laundry room or bedroom.
When you choose true waterproof laminate products, the flooring can be installed anywhere in the house with respectable warranties applied.
4. Easy clean up of sand, grass, gardening dirt, and other exterior debris
We know most of our Florida clients enjoy an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Laminate is a wise alternative because it is scratch-resistant and easy to clean up using a broom/dust pan or a hard-surface flooring vacuum attachment. And, as mentioned above, a damp cloth is typically all that’s needed if you see mud tracks or other footprint marks that don’t come up in a sweeping session.
Working with a flooring professional ahead of time is the only way to know whether or not the laminate product(s) selected are the right choice for the room in question and your lifestyle. You’re looking for products with high-density fiberboard and high-tech coatings. Some options may even include a PVC core, eliminating any risk of damage.
5. Softer and warmer on the feet than tile or stone
Many homeowners also enjoy the softer and warmer feel offered by laminate flooring. That same indoor/outdoor lifestyle frequently equates to lots of bare feet. While laminate is still hard to the touch, it is softer and has more give than tile or natural stone flooring options. It’s also warmer in the winter months.
Visit Creative Floors To Ensure Waterproof Laminate Works For You
Working with flooring pros in person is essential if you want waterproof laminate flooring that is truly waterproof, meets your expectations, and is designed for the living space in question.
Schedule your flooring appointment with Creative Floors or walk in to see our wide range of laminate and other waterproof flooring options. You can also schedule a Shop At Home appointment, where one of our flooring experts brings samples right to your door. Either way, you’ll benefit from real-time recommendations for flooring that fits every budget for every room in your home and that lets you express your own personal lifestyle.
