Laminate is one of the popular flooring options, more exceptional than wood or vinyl because of the low price tag. But is laminate flooring the perfect choice?
It might be a better option than other flooring options but each comes with advantages and disadvantages. There are some common problems that occur after installing laminate flooring that everyone should know.
In this post, we will enlighten you with a few problems that are usual with laminate to help you make the right decision for flooring.
Common Laminate Flooring Problems
There’s no doubt that laminate flooring is a budget-friendly option in hardwood flooring, but that does not make it free from making problems.
Buckling
Laminate is not a great choice if your floor often gets watery because it will damage the flooring, making it hard to repair. Since laminate can’t resist water and moisture-rich areas, the damage can result in the form of buckling, cracking, or warping.
The floor will look buckled and out of shape which will become displeasing to see and also dangerous to walk on.
Although it might get better once the floor starts to dry, if it takes more time, the chances of permanent damage will increase.That’s why most people prefer luxury vinyl tiles for water-prone areas like bathrooms or kitchens.
Bouncy Floor
When your floor starts to feel bouncy and you find it uneasy to walk, it could happen for different reasons.
First main reason is the uneven subfloor. The bumps or dents on the subfloor can lead to bouncy or spongy floor because the laminate did not lay completely flat. If your subfloor is really bumpy, then it could also break the laminate.
Improper installation of laminate could be another reason for a bouncy floor. Also, remember that buckling or warping can also cause a spongy feel on the floor because the water can damage the subfloor which will result in the damaged laminate.
Lifting
Lifting could happen due to different reasons. For example, when the short ends of the board start to come up, there could be these three reasons:
- The flooring did not adjust well before installation.
- Excessive water in the subfloor.
- Strained or locked in planks.
Sometimes lifting could be related to the climate, especially when your floor is in an extremely wet or dry area. Remember that if laminate is lifting on the long layer, it could result in crowning or peaking.
The most common reason for lifting is poor installation so ensure that you install the laminate floor properly, focusing on the surface of the subfloor.
Space & Gaps
Homeowners who have laminate flooring installed get frustrated when they see unnecessary gaps between the planks. Here are some reasons why this happens:
- Sponges that were too wet
- Damage from steamers
- Improperly attached planks
- Uneven subfloor
- Inaccurately installed underlayment
- Extremely low humidity
- Irregular build-up gaps at the outer edge of the room
The above mentioned reasons could create issues in laminate flooring but humidity. Temperature, and use of wet sponges can help prevent separation or gaps.
Hard To Repair
Since laminate flooring is not a natural wood and is made with printed designed layers so when it gets cracked, repairing it will be a difficult task. In most cases, the only option is to replace the planks with new ones.
Laminate flooring requires extra treatment with colour filler. If it completely gets scratched out, then repairing will not work, you will need a replacement.
That’s why it is said that laminate flooring is not the best choice for commercial areas and households where the floors are put through extensive destruction.
Curling
The edges of the floor might get curled up, causing unsightly crinkle on the floor. This is called bowing, it is mainly caused by water-related issues, for example:
- No spray retarder
- Wet and sticky spaces
- Poor ventilation in the room
- Incorrect acclimation before installation
- Subfloor with excessive moisture
Other moisture events like pet accidents can also cause the curling of the edges of laminate flooring.
Limited Warranty
Unlike luxury vinyl and other wood flooring that lasts for 15-20 years and even longer, laminate flooring has longevity for only 10-20 years.
While laminate may be low in price, it can be a great choice but due to less warranty time it might start causing problems so spend on a better flooring because it is the main feature of the house.
Swollen Floor
When the laminate floor gets moisture or watery, it can also cause swelling and bubble texture on the floor.
Pets accidents or excessive water during cleaning can be the main reason for the swollen floor. When this happens, the floor needs a complete repair which is difficult in the case of laminate flooring.
Artificial Look
The laminate flooring is made with printed layers which emboss the style of the natural oak. This assembled print layer might give an artificial appearance because of the repetitive patterns.
The natural oak flooring has patterns in uneven style which gives a natural look. Some laminate floorings are good at hiding the artificial appearance, depending on the different brands.
Noisy
Generally, hardwood flooring does not make noise but that’s not the case in laminate flooring. People often get irritated with noises as it can be a headache easily. there a few reasons why such noises appear:
- Rough condition of subfloor
- Insufficient underlayment
- Cracked or broken planks
- Spilling of liquid items
Noisy tiles are not necessarily a bigger problem or cause an alarming situation but it can be disturbing and bothersome at some point that you will need to mend it.
Final Thoughts
Laminate flooring is a great choice for many households but it can create a few problems that are both common and uncommon these days. Sometimes people are unaware of these problems and tend to keep going on with it.
It’s better to know about the usual problems of laminate flooring in advance to avoid any trouble and keep the floor safe in the long run.
