by Andrew Mercer

Created on: October 19, 2007   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

Having been in the flooring trade for many years. I have seen many problems with laminate flooring, it certainly has its uses but I can tell you there have been more problems with laminate flooring than just about any other type of flooring.

There are two major problems with laminate flooring.

The main problem with laminate flooring is using it anywhere where there is damp or moisture can possibly accumulate. So for me that rules out basements, bathrooms, utilities and many kitchens and to be honest anywhere below ground level.

I hear you say "my basement is bone dry". No matter, if you have a solid floor in your basement and get a leak anywhere in your home the water will run down the walls into the basement and accumulate under the laminate floor. The moisture then has no way of evaporating out and gradually it will be absorbed into the base, unless you have exceptionally dry conditions in your part of the world and this draws away the moisture atmospherically before it can be absorbed. Once the moisture gets into base the floor will expand and rise up like a ski slope.

The same applies in any area with a solid floor where were moisture could conceivably accumulate... utility rooms, bathrooms, kitchens. 

The next major problem area concerns the mostly widely available laminates. This type of laminate generally has a patented locking system that gluelessly connects the planks together. This type of locking system allows the individual planks to be lifted to uplift the entire floor but in doing so it does not allow any downward movement along the connection. The boards will disconnect if lifted upwards but when fixed together they are rigid at 90 degrees and no movement downwards is possible. If the sub floor sinks in the center of the room this type of laminate is fitted to, it this can excessive pressures along the connections, causing the seams to fail along the top edge. You may have noticed some splitting of the laminate's top surface along the edges of the planks, this is generally the cause. Many timber sub floors sink to a greater or lesser extent in the centre so this is really common problem.

So if you intend to install laminate flooring its worth considering both of the following before making your purchase.

Is the floor level ? If the sub floor sinks more than an inch then the downward pressures on the top edge of the laminate means it is likely to fail relatively quickly.

Is there any chance that damp will be trapped under the flooring in the event of a flood ? Are there water connections nearby? Hoses to dishwashers and washing machine and radiators regularly leak and even a very slow dripping leak will accumulate damp up under the laminate if it is a solid floor.

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