Special offer

Home Care Tips in FL-Laminate flooring - Is it waterproof??

Reblogger Kathy Streib
Home Stager

There are so many different types of flooring from which to choose it's hard to make a decision.  I know that when I have a question, I go to Debbie Gartner of Westchester Flooring for the answer.

Recently she wrote about laminate flooring and whether it was waterproof.  Read this if this is what you have.  And for more information on any kind of flooring, wood, tile or carpet, subscribe to Debbie's blog. 

Original content by Debbie Gartner

Laminate floors - dark - Westchester NY

Is laminate flooring waterproof?  The answer is NO, laminate flooring is NOT waterproof.

 

There is a common misperception out there that laminate is waterproof, and I believe this is due to the fact that many customers mistakenly confuse vinyl and laminate flooring.  

 

Many types of vinyl flooring are waterproof and/or highly water resistant. Laminate, on the other hand, is made out of recycled hardwood, so it is not waterproof. Due to its melamine wear layer, it has a tough finish which resists against scratches and may have minor protection against minor water (quick spills). But, like hardwood, laminate does not do well with standing water...regardless of whether this water is topical (on top) or seeping into the sub-floor from below. Laminate also does not do well in areas with high humidity.   Westchester County Floating floor laminate

 

There are some laminates that claim to be "splash proof" (which is not an industry term) and they do still warn you not to leave any standing water on your laminate floor). If laminate floors become really wet, they will get ruined and buckle. Unlike hardwood flooring, laminate floors can not be sanded or refinished. If they get wet, they can not be repaired. (Whereas if hardwood gets wet in a few spots, you can usually replace those planks and refinish the floors and they will look good as new.)  

 

If you feel that hardwood is not a good option for an area due to water or humidity, it is also a good idea to avoid laminate. 

 

If you live in Westchester County and are interested in laminate flooring or waterproof options, give The Flooring Girl a call at 914-937-2950.

Laminate flooring:  Is it waterproof?

Hardwood Flooring - Carpet - Tile/Natural Stone - Laminate - Refinish Hardwood - Backsplashes

Floor Coverings International Westchester and StamfordDebbie Gartner, President and Owner

"The Flooring Girl"Debbie Gartner - Westchester Hardwood Flooring

Floor Coverings International Westchester County

You can download our free flooring guide.  Or, visit our flooring selector - 2,000 options.


We install hardwood floors, carpet and runners, tile flooring. Call us for a free estimate 914-937-2950. 

"We bring the store to your door."

If you enjoyed what you are are reading, feel free to subscribe to blog to my blog.

WC19920-H07, HIC619252

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

In Person Consultations in Texas
for Houston & Harris Counties
and
Virtual Staging Consultations
for all states


Follow My Blog for Practical, Creative,
Easy-to-Do Styling Solutions
Whether You're Selling
or Want to Fall Back in Love
With Your Home
 

561-914-6224
Call or Text

Email Me

About Me
My Blog
   Facebook
Instagram

 

Comments(11)

Edward Gilmartin
CRE - Boston, MA

Not much in a home is water proof. You have to be wary of mold growth whenever you have a water incident.

Jun 11, 2012 12:56 AM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

Hi Kathy, great article to re-blog. From my experience wood floor handles water much better than laminate.

Jun 11, 2012 01:03 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Kathy - Thank you so much for reblogging and for your kind words.   I really appreciate that.

Jun 11, 2012 04:00 AM
Jennifer Chiongbian
Specializing in all types of Manhattan apts & townhouses - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Broker - NYC

Thanks for re-posting.  That is very informative.  But one would think that wood in any form youwant to call it, never really does well with water.

Jun 11, 2012 05:19 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Edward- oh yes... mold, mildew all effects of standing water!

Anna- I agree.  I'm glad Debbie pointed this out because many would equate laminate with vinyl.

Debbie- meant every word of it. 

Jennifer- yes, but I believe the difference is that you can replace the damaged planks of wood instead of the whole floor but you can't do that with laminate.

Jun 11, 2012 06:13 AM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Kathy, Anything with a wood finish I'd be leery of getting water on. My mom is getting new floors, I think laminate to address all the traffic she gets with 6 kids, their husbands, and 16 grand kids.

Jun 11, 2012 07:37 AM
Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert
Richmond, TX

Kathy,

          Great re-blog and I think I would rather have wood than laminate. Many flooring people that I have come in contact with in the industry do not like laminate nor would put them in their homes.

Jun 11, 2012 09:26 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Kathy

Thanks for sharing a very informative re-post on laminate floors.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Jun 11, 2012 09:42 AM
Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Good to put this out there as I think there are a lot of folks that think laminate flooring is waterproof.

Jun 11, 2012 12:24 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Kathy.  It is interesting that people think laminate floors are waterproof.

Jun 11, 2012 08:50 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Ellen- I've seen some really good looking laminate floors and yes, it nice for the wear and tear.

Yolanda- we had wood in our house in VA and what I liked was that when we moved in we were able to have a few of the boards that had faded replaced.  

Lou- thank you..I think a lot of people don't know that about laminate floors.

Barb- yes, just as I said to Lou, there are a lot of people who would have thought that laminate floors could handle water.

Conrad- For some reason we equate laminate with vinyl. 

Jun 12, 2012 10:22 AM