Laminate flooring is a popular choice for home renovations due to its durability, affordability, and ease of installation. But did you know? Laminate flooring can’t be installed everywhere! If installed in the wrong places, the floor may bulge, crack, mold, and even release harmful gases!
Today, we’ll break down where laminate flooring should NEVER be installed and what materials to use instead.
1. Damp and waterlogged areas (bathrooms, kitchens, basements)
❌ It can’t be laid!
(Laying laminate flooring in a damp environment is prone to mold and bulging.)
Reason: Laminate flooring is afraid of water and expands when exposed to it.
① The base material of laminate flooring is a density board (HDF), which expands like compressed biscuits when it absorbs water.
② In bathrooms, beside kitchen sinks, and in basements without moisture-proofing, there is a lot of moisture, and the floor will:
- Bulging and curling edges (moisture causes the floor to expand, and the joints crack)
- Moldy and blackened (Mold grows in a damp environment, affecting health)
- The lock is broken (the floor is squeezed after expansion, and the joint is damaged)
✅ Alternative Solution:
- Tiles (most waterproof, suitable for bathrooms and kitchens)
- SPC stone plastic flooring (fully waterproof, ideal for basements)
2. Underfloor heating environment (non-special laminate flooring)
❌ Ordinary laminate flooring cannot be directly used for floor heating!
(Ordinary reinforced floor heating is prone to deformation and the release of formaldehyde.)
Reason: High temperature and dryness make the floor unable to withstand it.
① The glue (urea-formaldehyde glue) used in ordinary laminate flooring will release more formaldehyde (a harmful gas) when heated.
② Long-term exposure to underfloor heating will cause the floor to:
- Deformation and cracking (loosening at the joints caused by thermal expansion and contraction)
- Excessive formaldehyde (the higher the temperature, the greater the release)
✅ Alternative Solution
- Special laminate flooring for underfloor heating (clearly marked on the packaging)
- Multi-layer solid wood composite flooring (better stability, suitable for underfloor heating)
3. Areas With Uneven Ground
❌ If the ground height difference is too large (more than 3mm), it cannot be laid!
(If laminate flooring is not laid flat on the ground, it is prone to cracking and making abnormal noises.)
Reason: The floor is suspended and will break when stepped on.
① If the ground is uneven, there will be hollow areas when the floor is laid, and it will feel like a seesaw when stepped on.
② After a long time:
- The lock is broken (the floor is repeatedly bent, and the connection is damaged)
- Creaking (noise produced by the friction between the floor and the ground
✅ Alternative Solution
- Find a flat ground (using cement or self-leveling)
- Lay out moisture-proof pads (to reduce the impact of unevenness)
4. Outdoor or semi-outdoor areas (balconies, terraces, etc.)
❌ Open-air balconies and courtyards cannot be paved!
(Sun exposure and rain immersion can cause laminate flooring to fade and deform.)
Reason: The floor cannot withstand the wind, sun, and rain.
① Exposure to intense sunlight can cause fading (ultraviolet rays can turn the floor surface yellow and old).
② Rainwater soaking will cause it to expand (laminate flooring is not waterproof and will rot)
③ It cracks in winter and deforms in summer (due to the large temperature difference, the floor expands and contracts when heated and cooled)
✅ Alternative Solution
- Treated wood (suitable for outdoor use, but requires regular maintenance)
- WPC (waterproof and sun-proof, no maintenance required)
5. Commercial places with high foot traffic (shopping malls, gyms, warehouses)
❌ Don’t shop laminate flooring for home use!
(Commercial places have a large flow of people, and household laminate flooring wears out quickly.)
Reason: The wear-resistant layer cannot withstand high-intensity trampling.
① The wear-resistant layer of household laminate flooring (AC3/AC4) is suitable for home use.
② But shopping malls, gyms, and warehouses:
- Friction of the sole of the shoe (The surface is quickly worn out)
- Heavy objects running over (sunken floor, broken lock)
✅ Alternative Solution
- Commercial PVC flooring (super wear-resistant, suitable for gyms)
- Tiles or epoxy flooring (more durable in warehouses and shopping malls)
Summary: Where is laminate flooring suitable for installation?
✅ Suitable for lying on
Living room, bedroom, study (dry, stable temperature, moderate foot traffic)
❌ It must never be laid on:
- Bathroom, kitchen, balcony, basement (afraid of water)
- Underfloor heating (unless specifically designed) (afraid of high temperatures)
- Uneven ground (afraid of cracking)
- Outdoor open-air environment (afraid of sun and rain)
- Shopping malls, gyms, warehouses (afraid of wear and pressure)
Choose the right place, and laminate flooring can last for more than 10 years! If laid in the wrong place, it will be scrapped within one year! Make sure to take a good look at the environment before deciding on decoration!
