How can you protect laminate floors?

Able to appear like hardwood, but far more affordable and easier to install, laminate flooring has become an increasingly popular selection for both commercial and residential buildings. It’s worth noting, however, that along with resembling a wood floor, laminate also shares many of the same weaknesses.

To help homeowners and enterprises with laminate flooring meet these challenges head on, we’ve compiled some important points on how to keep this type of floor in tip-top condition.

What is laminate flooring?

A hybrid floor material, typical laminate is made using a wood board core, an image layer that looks like real wood and a protective wear layer. Invented in Sweden back in 1977 by a company called Perstorp, it was originally designed to put waste wood to good use to create a durable flooring solution. Today, numerous enterprises supply laminate, and it can be found in a wide variety of applications, like living areas, bedrooms, hallways and office receptions.

Protecting laminate flooring from water

Just like wooden floors, the number one enemy of laminate is water. Laminate floorboards contain medium-density fibreboard substrates that absorb water. This process can happen gradually, which means that water damage is not always immediately apparent. However, once the boards have soaked up the liquid, they will swell up, causing them to buckle and bend. Not only does this ruin the appearance of your floor, but it renders them susceptible to damage. Cracks and splinters can occur and raised corners will chip, making them look even worse.

To prevent this happening, first and foremost, tackle spills instantly. Ensure any standing water is quickly dried up to avoid damage. It is particularly critical that any spilled water is not allowed to enter between the joints. When you’re cleaning your floor, remember never to use water, but instead a dedicated cleaner designed for laminate flooring.

Among the best approaches to defend your flooring against water is adding a topcoat of polyurethane. However, this is often a job best left to the professionals, as it can be a tricky task. Most laminate has a resin layer that rejects any coating processes, so you must build up layers of protection gradually, adding a coat and letting it dry before applying another one.

After laminate is installed, the joints between planks should be sealed to stop unwanted moisture seeping in. Floor sealant is ideal, as it won’t glue gaps too tightly, which can make it impossible to remove them when repairs are necessary.

Protecting against scuffs and scratches

Add soft coverings to the feet of heavy furnishings like sofas and tables to prevent scratches on your floor when you move them. If you have pets, keep their claws clipped or well-worn with walks to avoid more marks. It’s also worth using a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to stop small particles being pushed into the laminate, causing unwanted scoring, and you could place mats and rug in areas that see more traffic.

Providing you follow these easy-to-remember rules, you can get the most value from an investment in laminate flooring and you can enjoy a lower maintenance and far more affordable solution than real wood.