Laminate Bathroom Floors

Costs
Durability
History
Maintenance

Pictures
Popular Bathroom Remodeling Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers

References
Related Articles

One of the most inexpensive flooring options available, laminate flooring is great for high-traffic areas that see a lot of wear and tear. It is, however, prone to water damage, so installing this type of flooring in the bathroom is seen as a bit of a gamble by some homeowners. Here is some more information.

Costs

If low cost is your first priority, laminate flooring is a great choice. Expect to pay $1.50-$3 per square foot, on average. Get a few price quotes for the best deal.

Pictures

Pros

Laminate flooring is easy to clean.

It’s durable and isn’t likely to scratch or fade.

Laminate flooring is one of the most affordable flooring options available.

Cons

If water gets into the wood chip base of laminate flooring, it will warp, swell, and even burst.

Laminate flooring is prone to damage in the bathroom.

It doesn’t look as high-quality as other flooring options.

Durability

Since laminate flooring is scratch- and fade-resistant, many homeowners use it for high-traffic areas. However, in a bathroom it can be extremely susceptible to water damage, so while many manufacturers will guarantee their laminate flooring for up to 10 years, it may not last quite so long in the bathroom.

Maintenance

Luckily, maintaining laminate flooring is generally pretty easy. Simply wipe down the floor with a dust mop or a mop dampened with water. Avoid abrasive household cleaners and make sure to always wipe up water spills after they occur.

Common Questions and Answers

What is laminate flooring made of?

Laminate flooring is made from synthetic material that looks like the real thing. It consists of two melamine coated sheets. The first is a photograph of the flooring it is design to imitate. Above it is a super-resistant transparent layer. The base consists of glued or snapped wood chip composite or fiberboard.

What is the best installation method for laminate flooring?

Because the planks are attached to each other rather than the subfloor, laminate flooring is easiest to install as a floating floor—as long as the surface is completely flat.

History

While laminate flooring was invented some 34 years ago by the Swedish company Pergo (known then as Perstop), it wasn’t introduced to the United States until 1994. In 1997 a Belgian company called Unilin created glue-less laminate flooring.