Is Laminate Flooring Good For A High Humidity Climate

If you want a durable flooring material and you live in a humid climate be sure to take a look at high pressure laminate.

Is laminate flooring good for a high humidity climate.

As the humidity levels rise above 60 your flooring expands. During dry cold weather laminate might shrink causing cracks to appear between each plank. If you live in a humid climate your home can begin to feel like a sauna from the rising temperatures and high humidity and you might think that hardwood isn t the best flooring option. However if you just live in a humid climate and are looking for budget friendly durable floors for your living room dining room or hallway laminate flooring might be your answer.

During warm humid weather laminate might expand to give the floor a crowned look. However you don t have to give up on this dream just yet. Because laminate is installed using a tongue in groove click to lock system this expansion can push the sides of each plank into each other causing them to buckle. Before purchasing new flooring for your home it may be a good idea to first determine your region s humidity level you may be surprised to know extremes in humidity can have a dramatic affect on certain floor types and result in damage that may be inconvenient and.

There are plenty of wood species that can withstand humid climates with the proper care. Glue carpeting to your subfloor material to minimize moisture penetration. When humidity levels get too high you ll have to use an ac or dehumidifier to bring those levels down. The good news is there are different kinds of laminate flooring.

If you re set on having laminate flooring make sure to choose the high pressure variety. Laminate one advantage of laminate floors is their durability but the downside is they tend to absorb moisture. Another option is to layer a cold floor with large area rugs rather than wall to wall carpet and check the underside for dampness or mold growth occasionally. Although it s not waterproof high pressure laminate flooring experiences little expansion and contraction.

Laminate flooring manufacturers recommend leaving a 1 4 inch expansion gap around the perimeter of the floor to give the boards room to expand. In our climate friendly flooring section you ll find the pros and cons of the most common floor types in relation to humidity. Laminate flooring is inexpensive comprised of wood composites that are pressed together for high strength and water resistance. This material is made with special glue that reduces moisture absorption making it more impervious to humidity.

Damp climates can be dangerous for your carpeting so make sure the subflooring has a good moisture barrier. High pressure laminate flooring is excellent for high humidity applications because it s made with a special glue that reduces the absorption of moisture. Look for high pressure laminate floors which are made with a special type of glue that minimizes moisture absorption.