Laminate as a floor covering
It is generally accepted that a laminate is a material that is very sensitive to moisture and moisture. In most cases this is indeed the case, but there are varieties of this material that tolerate moisture well enough. Therefore, if you hear somewhere that you can put a laminate in the bathroom, then this will not be false information.
Waterproof laminate has a strong and reliable structure. It is slightly susceptible to mechanical damage, which makes the life of its long enough. However, when buying it, you should carefully check the surface for defects, scratches and damages, because under the influence of moisture they will increase and cause serious damage.
Important! At purchase it is necessary to check the quality certificates, so that you do not purchase a poor-quality product.
When laying a laminate for bathrooms, you need to carefully monitor the correctness of the docking of all elements. It is also imperative to use an adhesive that is resistant to moisture and will ensure a good sealing of the joints. For this, it is best to consult a specialist who will advise which glue to use and how to use it.
Production technology
Laminate for the bathroom is basically based on the HDF-board , which can be seen on the cut. All joints and locks are additionally treated with wax to prevent moisture from getting inside. Also, the material is impregnated with an antibacterial composition to prevent the occurrence of mold and bacteria. All this makes the coating suitable for use in rooms with high humidity. The material appeared relatively recently, before that there was one that completely did not satisfy the customers' needs.
Moisture-resistant laminate for the bathroom is made using a special technology: pressing the laminate with a high-pressure apparatus. Above, the surface is covered with a layer of polymer with water repellent properties, which is also resistant to mechanical damage. These qualities do not allow the floor covering to break down from the action of moisture. This material is an excellent substitute for traditional tiles.
Important! When buying a moisture-resistant laminate, you need to make sure that the selected material can be used according to your plans.
Recommendations when buying
When buying this material, pay attention to the following nuances:
- The density of the panel should be at least 900 kilograms per cubic meter. This information can be found in the product specification. It is recommended to buy 32 or 33 class;
- Ensure that the lower layer has been treated with a moisture resistant layer. You can also find out about this from the information on the specification or on the plate itself. If there is no such data, ask the seller about it;
- It is also worth checking if there are wax processing of locks;
- Buy material without chamfer, after all, the fewer joints, the less water will leak inside.
Tip! If you have friends who have already put laminate in the bathroom, find out how it behaves and whether it is worth buying it for you.
There are several nuances for mounting such material. First, you need to buy a cover with a margin of 15% to replace the damaged items. Secondly, be sure to use a PVC substrate, not cork. This is due to the fact that the plug absorbs well and transfers moisture. The thickness of the substrate should be no more than three millimeters. Third, treat the joints of the boards with a sealant. Having adopted all the above tips, you can be sure that the flooring will serve a long and high-quality.
