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Do you have a bathroom in your house that’s in need of some flooring. If so, you may be considering the pros and cons of installing laminate flooring in the bathroom. Laminate flooring has many benefits including its durability and easy installation process. However, there are also drawbacks such as the fact that it may not look as good as other types of floors, or that it can make noise when walked on due to the lack of cushion underfoot.
Read until the end of this article to learn all the pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision.
Laminate Flooring in Bathroom Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
- Affordable
- Durable
- Pet friendly
- Low maintenance
- 100% recyclable
- Hypoallergenic
- Commercial use friendly
- DIY friendly
Cons
- Prone to damage
- Not real hardwood
- Noisy if not properly installed
- Can’t be sanded or refinished
- Warping can occur
Pros in Depth
Appearance: One of the most attractive features about laminate flooring is that it offers a variety of different appearances to suit your taste. From traditional hardwood look, oak woodgrain appearance and rich cherry texture styles, there is something for every home décor style whether you have an historic Victorian-style house or prefer contemporary designs with modern furnishings.
Durable and easy to clean: Laminates are designed to withstand hard wear and tear, which is why they’re a great choice for use in high-traffic areas like kitchens. In addition to being easy on the eyes with their variety of colors, laminates also have an ultra clean finish that makes them resistant to stains such as grease or dirt.
Laminate flooring has long been revered by homeowners around the world because it’s both durable and easy cleaning – perfect if you want your bathroom floors looking new every day!
Doesn’t collect dust mites or pet dander: Laminate flooring doesn’t collect dust mites or pet dander. You don’t have to worry about allergens when you vacuum as often because the floors are not porous, so they retain no particles of any kind and nothing will attach itself for long periods of time either.
You can install laminate in your bathroom without replacing the tile: Who wants to replace their bathroom tile? No one! Installation of laminate is easy and quick with no need to replace the tile.
All the DIY enthusiasts will like that laminate is one of the easier types of flooring to install. This can save money if you can’t afford to hire a pro to install it for you. You’ll need some tools to pull this off though, so we recommend reading some of our other articles on the topic. We have to note that this is only for people with significant experience.
Laminate is affordable! Probably the most attractive thing about laminate flooring to homeowners is that it’s budget-friendly. Prices for this type of flooring start at around $.65/square foot, making it a popular choice for people on a budget. We have to mention that the cheaper laminate installed in bathrooms can run into problems later on so it’s recommended to get a higher quality type.
Good for families: If you have kids then you’ll know how easy it is for things to break and get damaged. Luckily laminate is one of the most durable types of flooring there is. This means that it resists burns, moisture, fading, scratches, and stains.
It’s also hypoallergenic and 100% recyclable which is great for the environment.
Cons in Depth
Laminate flooring in bathrooms can be slippery: Laminate often has a gloss that is created through the application of a protective coating, which may be shiny or create glare on floors where light penetrates down from above. This type of laminated material possesses all the same hazards as any other glossy surface such as bathroom tiles. The risk for slips and falls increases with age because this slippery effect becomes more pronounced over time due to wear-and-tear on these surfaces like scratches, scuffs, stains etc., especially if you are not wearing socks when using them–or have wet feet!
Laminate cannot be refinished: Laminate floors cannot be refinished once they have been damaged beyond repair because this type of material does not allow paint to absorb through its surface like hardwood would. If you’re looking for a change on one side though (or even both), this can be done without having to replace everything entirely by re-coating the area(s) where necessary!
Laminate may warp or curl over time: Another drawback with laminate is that it may warp or curl over time. This can be a major problem because the more warped and curled your flooring becomes, the harder it will become to clean.
It’s true that laminate is moisture-resistant. But it’s definitely not moisture-proof. There is a huge difference between the two.
Because of this, a big spill or some other kind of exposure (which is common in bathrooms), could cause major damage to your floor. The only option to fix this might be a reinstall or replacement of parts of it.
There is newer technology coming with laminate flooring offering 24 hour moisture protection so if you have this option it might be good to take it, even though it isn’t a guarantee.
Not real wood: If you want the authentic look and feel of hardwood in your home then laminate might not be for you. Sure it does look like wood but it also doesn’t have the advantage of increasing the value of your home.
Noise: If the laminate is installed in the bathroom without the proper underlayment then it can end up being pretty noisy. This is another reason to hire a professional to do the job for you, so you know that you have the proper underlayment. You can also buy the underlayment if you want to DIY.
Conclusion
In conclusion, laminate flooring in bathrooms has pros and cons just like any other type of flooring. If you’re looking for something affordable that’s easy to maintain then it could be for you. If you have a higher budget and want something that’s not slippery when wet then laminate is not a great option for your bathroom.
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