- Improperly installing a laminate floor can create an issue with moisture even when no moisture noticeably comes into contact with the flooring. Failure to acclimate the laminate flooring will expose the laminate flooring to possible damage from moisture within the environment where the installation occurs. Laminate flooring will expand in the presence of moisture and allowing laminate flooring to acclimate to the humidity level inside the building will eliminate the threat of damage that results from moisture problems relating to humidity. Acclimate laminate flooring by leaving the laminate flooring in the building for several days before installation.
- Improperly installing laminate flooring over subfloors creates the potential for the laminate flooring to become susceptible to damage from moisture within the subfloor. Check subfloors with a moisture meter to determine the moisture level of the subfloor before installation. Manufacturers specify acceptable moisture levels for laminate flooring and to avoid moisture problems from failure to install laminate flooring properly, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Moisture barriers keep moisture problems from affecting the laminate flooring but the subfloor needs to be within acceptable moisture levels before installation begins.
- Manufacturers of laminate flooring have moisture barrier specifically designed for use with their products. The purpose of the moisture barrier is to keep moisture from contacting the laminate flooring material from the subfloor below. On concrete subfloors, the installation of the moisture barrier is especially important as concrete can hold moisture for an extended period compared to other subflooring material. Installing a moisture barrier eliminates the threat of moisture problems as a result of moisture seeping into a structure from beneath the laminate flooring.
- Some laminate flooring materials require glue along the grooves to lock the individual pieces of the laminate flooring together. This also creates a moisture seal along the seams of the laminate flooring that helps to protect the laminate flooring from moisture that is on the surface of the laminate flooring. Failure to apply the glue during installation can create several issues during the life of the laminate flooring, but it also creates the potential for moisture problems by allowing moisture to seep below the surface of the laminate flooring. Moisture beneath the surface of the laminate flooring will lead to moisture problems.
- Laminate floors are a highly durable alternative to traditional wood floors because the special coating on laminate floors makes the flooring less susceptible to scratches and dents than traditional wood flooring products. Though highly durable, laminate flooring has a low tolerance to moisture but most moisture issues can be eliminated before and during installation. Proper installation of laminate flooring is critical to the longevity of the laminate floor and as long as the installation of the laminated flooring is properly achieved, the product is an attractive and affordable alternative to traditional wood floors.
