Flooring experts are expose this myth float around societal media .
You might have meet the reports and videos flying around TikTok advocating against usingvinyl and laminate flooringin high - humidity rooms . Content creators have gone viral with image ofmold and mildewhiding beneath their foot and admonition of the health risks they set . Rumor has it that the democratic and price - good vinyl orlaminate floorsactually add up with a eminent price tag than anticipate , because you ’ll have to replace them every five years .
But is this true , or are these creators just looking for clicks ? We wanted to get to the truth of the topic , so we brought those rumor to two laminate and engineered flooring specialist . Neel Bradham , CEO ofParador , and Rotem Eylor , CEO ofRepublic Floor , are partake everything you need to know about these low-cost flooring alternative and busting a few of the myth float around .
Credit: Carson Downing
Not All Vinyl and Laminate Is Waterproof: Here’s What to Look For
Did you live there ’s not just one character of vinyl and laminate ? These materials come in a mixed bag of build - ups with different technical spec . Though they can have a standardised show and map , vinyl group and laminate are two very different materials in term of structure , enduringness , and water resistance .
“ A common misconception is that all eccentric of vinyl radical and laminate floor are waterproofed , ” Eylor say . “ There is a difference of opinion between waterproof and water - tolerant , and they handle humidness otherwise with varying ohmic resistance levels . ” waterproofed materials are impervious to water , provide a complete barrier , while H2O - immune materials onlyresistwater insight to a certain degree before the water seeps through . “Vinyl , particularly satisfying vinyl , is entirely rainproof , making it an ideal choice for areas with gamey moisture photo , such as kitchens and bathrooms , ” Bradham says . “ Its robust composition also makes it highly durable and easy to defend . ” As a general ruler , vinyl made of wood credit card composite ( WPC ) and stone - credit card composite core ( SPC ) is waterproof , whereas luxury vinyl plank ( LVP ) and PVC vinyl are only piddle - resistive .
Laminate is also typically water - immune , with unlike products offering alter levels of opposition . introductory ambit are typically pee - tolerant for up to 24 hour in stand water , while other laminate reach out that opposition to 48 hour . “ When prefer between vinyl group and laminate , the decision should always be found on the specific product ’s technical specifications and the room ’s experimental condition , ” Bradham says . “ No single solution operate universally across all scenarios . ”
Will Your Flooring Mold in High-Humidity Spaces?
The growth of mould and mildew under vinyl and laminate flooring calculate on various cistron , from the product case to the installing quality . “ Solid vinyl group and vinyl with SPC - core board , for instance , has no trend towards moulding due to its non - holey nature , ” Bradham tell . “ The cardinal jeopardy is pee fall into place beneath the base , where mold could thrive if forget unchecked . ”
To forbid this , the experts recommend using a in high spirits - quality moisture roadblock or rug pad under the floorduring installationand ensuring proper sealing around the edges . They also urge keeping high - humidness areas well - vent and maintaining anappropriate indoor humidity level — within the chain of 35 - 60%—to reduce the risk of water accumulating and mold building up under the floor .
No, You Don’t Need to Replace Vinyl and Laminate Every 5 Years
According to Eylor and Bradham , the five - year - replacement hearsay is false . “ If the right way instal and asseverate , vinyl and laminate floors should last between 10 and 20 eld , even in high - humidness orbit , ” Eylor says . yearly inspection , peculiarly in wet way , are recommended to check for signs of warp , swelling , odor , and urine harm . For homeowners with existing vinyl or laminate , there ’s likely no want for immediate replacement if there are no signs of water ingress . However , if you do spot signboard of damage or water ingress , it may be time to believe interchange the floor with a more suitable , water - resistant product , like solid vinyl radical , WPC , or SPC .
take care after your trading floor , and it will look after you . “ Practice preventive maintenance , particularly with pee - resistant vinyl and laminate floors , ” Eylor suggest . Get into the habit of clean up splashes and spilled liquids promptly to forbid them from assimilate into the surface , and avoid drenching the floor with extravagant amount of water when pick . “ In humid area , use fans , undefended window , or leave doors open to reduce indoor humidness . ”
Choose your vinyl radical or laminate floor wisely by research the product ’s proficient specifications and ensuring it is desirable for the denominate space and its use . This , combined withproper installment , should result in a healthy , long - lasting , and cost - in force trading floor you ’re gallant of .
