It would seem that laminate for a bathroom is not a very suitable coating, since it is made from raw materials that are not resistant to moisture. However, today there are technologies for the production of building materials that can dramatically improve this characteristic of floor coverings. Thanks to such innovations, when properly used, laminate flooring will not only last for a long time in such conditions. It will make the floors more comfortable for bare feet or those wearing light house shoes. In any case, in terms of comfort, such a coating is significantly superior to traditional ceramic tiles for bathrooms.
Laminate for bathroom
In a word, these days it is no longer possible to say a categorical no to laminate in the bathroom. But in order to decide on the choice of a truly suitable coating, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristic features of the material and compare several possible options.
Introduction
Water and humidity are the main enemies of such flooring
This coating will be an excellent alternative to boring tiles that are slippery and cold to the touch. It gives the room coziness and elegance. Although laminate does not seem like a suitable type of floor for a bathroom, modern developers of building materials, thanks to new technologies for processing boards, have managed to improve its moisture resistance.
So, if you choose the appropriate type of product, carry out installation according to all the rules, carry out careful maintenance, and correct operation, the floor will delight its owners for decades . Let's look at the types of corresponding floor boards and review the most popular brands on the market. We’ll also look at recommendations for laying the coating yourself.
Types of laminate
A room with a wooden floor looks very cozy
A typical high-quality laminate consists of at least four layers:
- The stabilizing substrate is a layer of thick paper (kraft cardboard) impregnated with paraffin or resin. It is laid under the base to provide the structure with moisture resistance and protection from curvature.
- The base is the thickest layer, which is responsible for the strength, resistance to deformation, and durability of the board. Connection locks are machined in this part
- A decorative element is a picture on paper that imitates a natural coating. The most popular images are wood, marble, granite, mat, leather, metal, ceramics
- A protective resin coating that protects the design from abrasion, gives it a glossy shine, and emphasizes the relief texture
Some manufacturers include an additional layer in the form of a special film that provides barrier protection against fungus and mold.
The product, which is suitable for installation in the bathroom, differs from ordinary boards in its higher moisture resistance characteristics. It does not swell, does not get wet, and with high-quality installation, water does not penetrate inside through the seams of the locking joint. There are two laminate options suitable for installation in bathrooms.
Moisture-resistant coating
Moisture-resistant board is afraid of prolonged contact with liquid
The base material used here is compressed wood fibers HDF (the English abbreviation means high-density board). There is a thick substrate treated with paraffin; locks and grooves of structural elements are also impregnated with it. All layers are connected with a special waterproof epoxy glue, and the top coating is made of a polymer film - it protects against abrasion, repels liquid, and holds it on the surface.
Such a floor is quite capable of withstanding short-term contact with water, but if an accident occurs and the room is flooded for a long time, the liquid will be absorbed through the joints and penetrate into the wood layer. As a result, the floor covering will swell, bulge, and become deformed. Also, the board gets wet over time due to frequent changes in humidity - so a moisture-resistant laminate is more suitable for a hallway, kitchen, or toilet that is not combined with a bathroom.
Waterproof coating
Here the base is made of durable, safe PVC plastic, which is absolutely insensitive to water. Even if the room floods in the event of a water pipe break, and the liquid sits for many hours, the board will not be damaged.
The weak point here is the seams, so all the ends and locks of the boards, in addition to the wax coating, are treated with a special silicone sealant
During installation, it is recommended to additionally coat the joints of the lamellas with an additional sealant. It will not hurt even if, according to the manufacturers of the chosen brand, the board has already been treated with a similar composition.
Most often, the plastic base consists of two levels, which are connected by vertical plates - as a result, a cellular air layer is formed inside, which provides reliable thermal insulation. The lamellas are more durable, resistant to damage, and durable. The plastic base is covered with decorative paper with a textured pattern, and the front layer is made of acrylate resin with the addition of corundum.
Corundum is a transparent mineral that has high hardness, resistance to acids, moisture, and temperatures. It is also called stone glass substitute.
The ends of the laminate are treated with silicone, the back side of the base is treated with wax. The top polymer film does not conduct static electricity. All levels are glued with a special waterproof glue.
Algorithm for laying the floor in the bathroom
A high-quality and durable bathroom floor will be achieved by following the sequence and technology of laying all the necessary layers. This process is called preparatory and consists of the following:
- In the room, old floor material is removed, wooden structures are dismantled, if necessary, or damaged elements are replaced.
- The cleaned floor is inspected for damage and partial or major repairs are performed, cracks and chips are repaired, leveled, and protruding fragments are cut off. This stage of work must be completed in full, without saving money or time.
- The durability of the structure depends on waterproofing measures, which are mandatory.
- To prepare an even rough base for the finishing material, a screed is used. At this stage, the coolant is laid when installing a “warm floor” system. How to properly level the floor in the bathroom, read here.
Let's look at each of these stages in more detail.
Dismantling the old coating
Preparation
The list of preparatory work depends on the condition of the premises - it is located in a habitable apartment or in a new building. In the first case, as noted earlier, it is necessary to dismantle the existing finish. Usually in the bathroom these are floor tiles, so to dismantle them you will need a hammer drill. It is necessary to remove not only the tiles, but also the screed underneath them. It is easier to remove linoleum - pry it up with a knife and rip it off. If the floor is wooden, then a number of boards are sawed down and what remains is dismantled.
Removing tiles from the floor
Important! The process of removing old screed is aimed at creating a high-quality waterproofing layer.
If the apartment is new, then preparation consists of cleaning the floor from debris and dust, and sealing cracks, if any, using tile adhesive. When it dries, you can proceed to creating a waterproofing layer.
Concrete screed repair - sealing cracks
Waterproofing
To ensure high-quality adhesion between the waterproofing material and the ceiling, the latter is treated with a primer. There are several types of waterproofing.
Table 1. Types of waterproofing
Types of waterproofing Description
| Welded | A reliable way to create a high-quality waterproofing layer on floor slabs. The overlap on the walls is at least 25 cm. A rough screed is poured on top and another waterproofing layer is laid. |
| Coating | The most durable and easiest way. The composition is made in a 1:1 ratio by mixing the dry component with water. Apply to the floor with a brush or roller, first coating the junction of the wall and the floor around the perimeter of the room, first gluing waterproofing tape to the first layer, and then the remaining surface of the floor. After applying the first layer, maintain an interval of 4-6 hours, then apply the second layer and leave it for a day. |
| Roll | These are membranes with a bitumen coating and an adhesive layer for ease of fixation, cheaper roofing felt and roofing felt, and other rolled materials. When laying them, it is important to place the canvas around the perimeter of the walls to a height of at least 20 cm and carefully glue the joints. |
| Painting room | The method is short-lived - lasts for an average of 3 years, after which it needs to be updated. It is easy to apply using a brush or roller, covering walls to a height of 10 cm. |
Waterproofing can not only protect the concrete surface from destruction, but also protect the property of neighbors in the event of some unforeseen situations. You will find the installation technology in a special article.
Advantages of plastic laminate flooring
It's nice to step on this floor with bare feet.
So, we came to the conclusion that a product that is characterized as waterproof is more suitable for the bathroom. It is also called vinyl. What advantages does it have?
- It does not absorb moisture at all and does not allow it to pass through.
- The coating is durable, wear-resistant, does not swell, does not delaminate
- It is not afraid of intense loads and increased use
- Tolerates room temperature changes perfectly. It can be laid on uninsulated loggias and balconies, where the temperature can vary from -20°C to +50°C
- Mold does not grow in plastic and fungus does not spread
- Easy to care for, just wash
- The material is considered environmentally friendly and safe for health. It does not emit harmful fumes or toxic compounds into the air
- PVC lamellas are low-flammable products; when exposed to fire, they melt - which means they do not contribute to the rapid spread of flames
The disadvantages include the high cost - it is an order of magnitude higher than a regular board, and is priced a little more expensive than the moisture-resistant variety. The range of the latter, by the way, is much wider, so we will also consider the lower availability of waterproof laminate as a minus.
Vinyl
Vinyl laminate bathroom flooring is made up of different layers. The bottom bedding is highly durable. The central layer is endowed with a springing effect.
Vinyl laminate has fiberglass in its structure. Its protective layers increase wear resistance, increase resistance to slipping, and make the coating easier to use.
The main advantages of laminate for the bathroom.
- Strength, resistance to deformation from contact with water.
- Resistance to intense loads.
- Environmental friendliness and safety.
- High fire safety indicators.
- Easy to care for.
We recommend reading:
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Board class
More details about class
Laminate flooring is usually distinguished by class categories. It should be noted that at present this concept is considered relative, because each manufacturer independently assigns a position to its products. The indicator is calculated based on the impact resistance, wear resistance, moisture resistance, and sound insulation of the product.
The higher the marking, the more expensive the price, the stronger the physical characteristics. Depending on the installation location, there are two groups of laminates: for home (domestic needs) and for commercial needs (products suitable for installation in premises with intensive use). The class of the former begins with the number “2”, and the latter with “3”.
The second number is responsible for the wear resistance of the load-bearing layer and the strength of the lamella as a whole, respectively, when it comes to choosing flooring for the bathroom - the higher the number, the better. Currently, classes 21, 22 and 23 are gradually disappearing from stores, since developers prefer to produce only categories 31, 32, 33, 34 - they are better sold out, because the product lasts much longer.
When assessing the quality of a laminate, there is another marking - the durability of the top, protective layer. It is designated by the letters AC and numbers from 3 to 6. That is, two lamellas of classes 32 and 34 can be approximately the same in terms of wear resistance if the front layer has a higher rating than the second.
Ceiling
The most original use of finishing coating is the arrangement of a laminate ceiling in a bathroom, which gives exclusivity to the interior.
For reliable and durable fixation of laminated slats, there is no need to build a heavy and bulky frame; it is enough to equip a light sheathing of guide profiles.
How to choose
Hundreds of colors, brands, varieties await you in the store
We have determined that a waterproof or plastic (vinyl) laminate with markings 33-34 and AC 5-6 is more suitable for the bathroom. What else should you pay attention to when purchasing?
- Study the packaging - products with good water-repellent properties always have the designation “aqua”
- Pay attention to the country of origin - European goods are usually of higher quality than Chinese ones. Often 32 class Belgian laminate turns out to be more reliable than 34 eastern edition
- Find out in advance the prices for the same laminated boards in different stores - waterproof products are expensive, so even a slight reduction in cost can help you save a lot
- Directly ask the construction department to show how the locks work - are there any gaps left, does the mechanism snap easily
- Avoid products with a smooth face layer to avoid falls due to wet feet and how many floors. It is better to choose a corrugated texture
If you decide to buy a moisture-resistant coating, additionally check the swelling coefficient and the density of the wood fiber base. The first should not exceed 18%, and the value of the second should be as high as possible.
Review of manufacturers
European manufacturers are the key to reliability and quality
Products manufactured in Europe are considered more reliable; their performance characteristics are far superior to those from China.
The best brands of plastic laminate
Aqua Step - waterproof board with perfect wood imitation
Let's take a look at the leading vinyl laminate manufacturers on the market:
| Name | Country of issue | Characteristic |
| Dumaplast | Belgium-France |
|
| AquaStep | Belgium |
|
Manufacturers of moisture-resistant laminate flooring
Choose a good coating so you don’t have to worry about a brand new renovation
Sometimes moisture-resistant laminate is also used for installation in the bathroom. Let's look at the best brands.
| Name | Country of issue | Characteristic |
| Quick Step | Belgium |
|
| Classen | Germany |
|
| Kaindl | Austria |
|
| Kronotex | Germany-Russia |
|
Product line from Quick Step
DIY installation tips
If you are afraid, trust the installation to a professional
It is difficult to describe how to lay laminate within one small section - separate articles with a larger volume are devoted to this. Here we will mention important subtleties, knowledge of which will protect you from incorrect actions:
- The quantity of the product is calculated based on the area of the room. Always buy 10% more to have extra in case of damaged or damaged items
- The purchased laminate must rest in its premises for at least 3 days (we open the packaging)
- It is important to prepare the floor surface: cover up cracks, level it, treat it with a primer for better adhesion
- The evenness of the floor is checked using a building level
- Consider additional waterproofing of the floor (not necessary, but recommended)
- Laying can be directly perpendicular to the walls and diagonal. The first one is much easier to do with your own hands.
- Before starting work, do not be lazy to draw a laying diagram
- Don’t forget to purchase a backing for the laminate – polystyrene foam layers
- Check the distance between the bottom of the door and the floor so that after laying the laminate, it does not turn out to be touching the coating when opening. If necessary, the door is removed from its hinges and shortened
The coating helps give the room a stylish look
Laminate that is suitable for installation in a bathroom must be resistant to moisture and must not allow water to pass through. These are the two main criteria for an ideal product that will last for many years without changes in appearance. Purchasing a waterproof or moisture-resistant board is an individual choice for each buyer.
Carefully study all the characteristics of potential applicants, consult with a repair specialist or, at worst, with a manager at a hardware store. We recommend choosing a laminate from a European developer, marked 33-34, preferably with a plastic base. If you are still inclined to choose a board made of super-durable fiberboard, purchase a collection specifically designed for rooms with changes in humidity.
Watch a video that clearly explains how to properly install laminate flooring in a bathroom:
Walls
Finishing walls with laminate is the most labor-intensive, because this will require some experience in working with coating on vertical surfaces.
Experts recommend preparing sheathing for the walls and additionally fixing the lamellas using a special adhesive composition; such a frame can be reinforced with a sheet of plasterboard.
