But much like the imprinted wood grain vinyl which is used in low-cost furniture, laminate flooring is only printed to look like wood; it is not normally wood. On the other hand, true hardwood floors or even engineered hardwood floors are all wood. Engineered hardwood floors laminate a thin layer of hardwood to a plywood substrate, which is then cut with the tongue and groove for installation. It gives them the ability to have the appearance of hardwood floors, without the expense.
However, there is a definite difference in quality between these products. While laminate floors are made to look like hardwood floors, and do a pretty good job of it, they are not. The imprinted layer of the laminate is thin and can become damaged or worn. In contrast to this, engineered hardwood floors can be lightly sanded and refinished a couple of times and hardwood floors can be heavily sanded and refinished several times over.
This difference increases the importance of protecting laminate floors. Many homeowners wonder if it is recommended to seal laminate floors. When properly sealed, laminate floors resist spills better and offer greater durability. This means a better, longer-lasting floor for you to enjoy through the years to come.
Often, manufacturers offer warranties as well. It will help allow your flooring to expand and contract with the weather. This will help to prevent the wood from splintering or cracking, especially if you live in a high-humidity climate. Often, laminate companies have a recommendation or a sealant that they manufacture for you to use.
Start with the laminate brand before looking into other options. When using a sealant, it can sometimes double the time it takes to install your flooring. Most types of waterproof sealants harden very quickly, so be sure to clean up any excess as soon as possible. There are some specialty laminate sealers available. Sealant brands may also offer different colors to choose from.
Often, there can be expansion gaps between walls and fixtures, especially in bathrooms. By caulking these areas, you can prevent water damage in areas that are most vulnerable to water infiltration.
When a liquid is spilled, it can go down the cracks of the flooring, no matter its size. By using silicone caulk, you can prevent liquids from soaking into cracks and ruining your floors.
Because silicone is flexible, your floors will be able to expand slightly without warping or chipping. To the point where there are tiny gaps. Not an install issue, just design flaw. Any top layer gaps cause liquid to get under quickly. A good floor should retain a large puddle I have two different types of flooring in my house that would do this - engineered hardwood and rubber laminate.
Some laminates come with padding built in. The padding creates a slight elevation to keep some moisture off the bottom of the flooring and contributes in other ways. This is really all over the place. Laminate can be backed by rubber high end but getting cheaper , cork high end , MDF normal , layered wood normal to high end , plywood grade normal , and then things in between.
Each has different properties. I could sit my rubber laminate in a pool for a year and it would still be rubber. Cork handles low amounts of water well but will be totally jacked up in a big flood.
MDF and plywood are the main ones known to expand on "big" spills. This is probably what your realtor was thinking of. Layered wood sheets won't last with long-term water but anything short-term it handles well. Top material. This is probably the least important but some laminates scratch easily and if yours gets big scratches then obviously it leads a place for water to bleed.
The thin stuff is made for apartment buildings but gets used in some questionable areas of homes. Definitely the 1 reason. Not having expansion gaps water gets in, wood expands, out of room, warps - where it may have been fine after drying out.
Uneven subfloor that promotes bowing, water pooling, and flexing. Wrong install method - gluing or nailing flooring that should float.
Basically laminate is just as durable as wood or anything else as long as you get the right product for your installation. A few bedrooms in a high rise can take about anything. There are some easy ways to fix laminate floors that have water damage. Luckily, most laminate floors lock together tightly in a way that protects them from water damage.
This is the area that would typically be covered by the baseboards. The best time to seal your laminate floors is when the floor is first installed. This gap allows the floors to expand, contract, and float. Before you install the baseboards, you will seal this gap.
Insert a tube of polyethylene foam PE foam in the gap around the edge before you caulk it. Shove it into the opening and press it down just past the surface of the laminate. After the foam is in, use flexible, silicone caulk and drag the tip along the foam. Use your finger to spread the caulk a bit deeper and make the surface uniform. Caulk around any vents, radiators, or other openings in the surface of the laminate.
You do not need the foam for this. Simply cover the entire opening with caulk and spread it with your finger. This is a bad idea. You do not want loads of standing water on your laminate floors because it will soak in and damage the floors.
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