We refer to laminate flooring as a moisture-resistant product. It’s not waterproof. That doesn’t mean it’s not suitable to use in kitchens though. Our 12mm high density fibre (HDF) flooring, for example is perfectly fine in a kitchen because there is no element of heat and humidity changes in a kitchen compared to that of a laundry.
Is it really laminate?
There are a lot of discrepancies between different flooring on the market, and it can cause confusion. Hybrid flooring is 100% water resistant. It cannot be installed into bathrooms, vanities and laundries because it doesn’t cope with humidity changes. We firmly believe it’s best to tile the ‘wet areas’, as this provides the best solution for waterproof purposes and is hygienically a better option. There are many manufacturers that stipulate hybrid flooring is 100% waterproof, but be careful with this assumption because if you have water penetrate under the floor, then nothing is waterproof and needs to be assessed by a professional.
Coping with moisture
The reason laminate flooring can’t claim to be waterproof is that the inner core is made from HDF(high density fibre). Of course, wood fibres expand once they get wet, whereas, in vinyl or loose lay or hybrid flooring, there are no wood fibre components in it. It’s either a plastic composite or it’s a limestone composite within the inner core, which makes it more moisture resistant.
There’s also confusion between contemporary laminate flooring and the flexible product, called vinyl looselay, which can be stuck directly onto a concrete subfloor or timber subfloor. We highly recommend to have a professional vinyl installer for your project, as there is little room for error for DIY’ers if your not experienced at installing vinyl looselay. Loose lay is highly resistant to water, but there’s a massive difference in the quality of loose lay in the market. It’s a good idea to chat with one of our sales team and ask them what’s the most suitable flooring for your needs before you make a purchase.
Things to watch out for
Something to watch out for is that its status as moisture resistant means laminate isn’t considered waterproof by manufacturers. This means if it’s used on an outside deck, even if it’s undercover, it won’t be covered by the warranty. It’s for internal use only. This is the same precedent for hybrid flooring and vinyl flooring.
When you’re cleaning your flooring, just use a spray mop with a microfibre pad, with plain water, or preferably, we recommend BONA cleaning products. You can refer to Bona cleaning products in our accessories page on our website. You don’t want any chemicals reacting with the flooring and damaging it, as this would void your flooring warranty. This method exposes the boards to very little water, so washing your floors isn’t going to harm them in any way. Never use steam mops on any floating floor, as it can harm your floor with heat and could penetrate the inner core. Some manufacturers recommend using their own brand of cleaning products, but that’s the only time you’d ever consider using anything other than water on your laminate.
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Karma Flooring is a direct laminate flooring importer with locations in Bayswater, Epping, Traralgon and Carrum Downs. You save because you can buy directly from our factory, but we’ll never offer you anything but the best product, service, and of course the best price.
Come and have a look at our vast range of contemporary flooring products or give us a call. We’ll help you find the perfect flooring for your budget and lifestyle.
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