If your home and common areas are frequently busy, choosing the ideal flooring product is naturally an important task. For these kinds of busy homes, water-resistant laminate flooring is often one of the top choices – why is this?
At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re here to offer a wide selection of laminate wood flooring with water barrier properties to clients around Salt Lake City, perfect for busy homes and areas with lots of foot traffic and activity. What makes water-resistant laminate flooring ideal for many busy settings, and which finishes and additional features might you consider? Let’s have a look!
Qualities of Water-Resistant Laminate Flooring
Here are some of the top qualities of water-resistant laminate flooring that often make it ideal for busy homes and areas:
- Ultra-stable: Water-resistant laminate flooring is designed to be extremely stable and resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. This makes it a great choice for areas that experience extreme temperature fluctuations or high levels of moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
- Durable: Laminate flooring is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear and tear. Water-resistant laminate takes this quality even further by providing an added layer of protection against spills and other liquid accidents.
- Waterproof: One quality that makes water-resistant laminate flooring unique compared to other laminate options is its ability to resist water and moisture. This makes it a popular choice for areas that are prone to spills or humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. These products come with a protective top layer, a moisture-blocking core, and various underlayment compatibilities to ensure a waterproof flooring solution.
- Easy to maintain: Water-resistant laminate flooring is also known for its low maintenance requirements. It can easily be cleaned with a damp mop or cloth, making it a great option for busy households or high-traffic areas. Additionally, its resistance to moisture means that it is less likely to show signs of mold or mildew growth.
Benefits of Pairing Laminate With Moisture Barriers or Underlayment
For flooring solutions in busy areas, there are several benefits to pairing laminate with moisture barriers or underlayment. These include:
- Increased durability: While water-resistant laminate flooring is highly durable on its own, adding a moisture barrier or underlayment can provide an extra layer of protection against potential water damage. This can be especially beneficial in areas prone to spills or high levels of humidity.
- Enhanced sound absorption: Underlayment can also provide sound absorption for laminate flooring, making it a great choice for rooms where noise reduction is important, such as bedrooms or home offices.
- Improved comfort: Some types of underlayment also offer added cushioning and insulation, making the floor more comfortable to walk on and helping to regulate temperature in the room.
- Slip reduction: Underlayment can also help to reduce slipping and sliding on laminate flooring, making it a safer option for households with children or elderly individuals.
High-Wear Finishes for Additional Durability
If your home is especially busy from a foot traffic perspective, you might consider complementing your water-resistant laminate flooring with high-wear finishes. These finishes are designed to increase the durability of your flooring against scratches, scuffs, and dents that inevitably come with everyday use.
- Scratch resistance: High-wear finishes can provide an extra layer of protection against scratches from pet claws, toys, or furniture legs.
- Scuff resistance: With children running around and dragging their toys on the floor, laminate flooring is prone to scuff marks. High-wear finishes can help reduce the appearance of these marks and make it easier to clean them off.
- Dent resistance: Heavy furniture or dropped objects can cause dents in traditional laminate flooring. However, high-wear finishes can help prevent these imperfections and keep your floors looking new.
- Fade resistance: Sun exposure can cause traditional laminate flooring to fade over time. High-wear finishes are designed to resist fading, keeping your floors vibrant and beautiful for longer.
Maintenance Tips for Water-Resistant Laminate Flooring
If you’ve chosen to install water-resistant laminate flooring in your home, congratulations! You’ve made a smart decision that will not only enhance the appearance of your living space, but also make it easier to maintain. To ensure your water-resistant laminate floors stay looking their best for years to come, follow these simple maintenance tips:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly: Just like with any other type of flooring, keeping your water-resistant laminate floors clean is key to maintaining their appearance. Regularly sweeping or vacuuming will help remove dirt and debris that can dull the finish over time.
- Clean up spills immediately: Despite being resistant to water damage, it’s still important to clean up spills as soon as they happen on your water-resistant laminate floors. This will prevent any potential staining or damage to the flooring.
- Use a damp mop for deeper cleaning: For tougher messes or stains, it’s safe to use a slightly damp mop on your water-resistant laminate floors. Just make sure not to saturate the floor and dry the area thoroughly afterwards.
- Avoid harsh chemicals: When cleaning your water-resistant laminate floors, avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can strip away the protective layer on the surface. Stick to mild soaps and cleaners specifically designed for laminate flooring.
At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re proud to offer a wide range of laminate wood flooring with water barrier and other important protective properties. Contact us today to learn about these or any of our kitchen cabinet solutions around SLC!