Laminate Flooring: What Happens When It’s Improperly Installed?
Your flooring material should be able to withstand the foot traffic and moisture in your house to maximize its lifespan. And it doesn’t have to be a trial, either. Some flooring materials, like laminate, are easy to install and ideal for DIY projects. Installing your own flooring, however, doesn’t guarantee quality performance.
Durable, Cost-Effective Flooring
Flooring materials come in different types. Each of them varies in performance. Quality floorings are typically at a higher price range. Laminate flooring, however, could be an excellent flooring option for your home in Santa Ana, California. This type of flooring is both durable and affordable.
You can install this material in semi-moist areas, including the powder room and the kitchen. Make sure the boards don’t have gaps where moisture can penetrate, though. Laminate flooring is almost resistant to dents and scratches. It has a “wear layer” that serves as a protection to the photographic layer underneath.
Additionally, laminate flooring mimics the appearance of natural materials like wood and stone. Manufacturers continue to improve the product through deeper texturing, micro bevels, and enhanced graphics reproduction.
Common Causes of Laminate Flooring Issues
Laminate flooring is supposed to be durable and should last longer. But issues might still arise because it wasn’t installed properly. Common laminate flooring problems include:
- Gaps – boards must be locked together properly to prevent gaps. Although laminates are a tough material, it can chip. Poor installation techniques result in gaps, exposing the edges that are vulnerable to chipping.
- Peaking – this happens along the seams where two laminate boards meet. Laminate flooring needs an expansion gap (usually about ¼-inch wide) since this type of flooring is not often secured to the subfloor. Without enough space, the pressure caused by the expansion pushes flooring up at the seams.
- Buckling and Warping – these issues occur due to moisture exposure caused by a lack of barriers. Warping is a concave reaction in the center of boards, and the buckling is a convex appearance in the board’s center.
- Noisy – when two boards are rubbing against each other, they produce a bothersome squeaking and creaking sound. These noises occur due to the uneven subfloor with dips and hollow spots. Subfloors have to be flat, but not necessarily level. Improper alignment and joining of boards due to cracked or broken tongues also cause noisy laminate floors.
Enhancing the Laminate Flooring Performance
Consumer Reports explains getting a new floor is an expensive home improvement project. That’s why you need to be smart about choosing the material as well as installing it. Consider getting samples of the material before purchasing. This allows you to scrutinize the material and determine if it fits your home.
Working with a flooring contractor makes the process easier. Professionals also have a better understanding of the flooring materials. They have the expertise and tools to install laminate flooring correctly, minimizing the risk of costly mistakes and flooring issues in the future.
Main Street Kitchen & Flooring provides laminate flooring to residential properties in the US. We work with every type and style of laminates and give your home realistic and beautiful wood flooring. Our specialists will assist you in finding the right laminates for your home.
Visit our showrooms to see our full collection. Contact us for more information.