Can laminate hardwood flooring survive in a bathroom?

Question

I really like laminate hardwood flooring and can get a deal for my bathroom, but can it survive the moisture of a bathroom?

Answer 1

Laminate flooring is free floating and has the potential to trap moisture under it (especially in a bathroom when someone gets out of the shower wet) you will eventually have mildew/mold problems under it....I would not recommend it for a bathroom or a kitchen...tile is your best bet.

Answer 2

Maybe some brands, but not Mohawk. I put it in kitchen and powder room, and ANY water that gets onto a seam will bubble up the seam. We had a drip from the toilet tank, very minor, ruined the floor under the toilet before we even noticed the leak. I'm pretty disappointed with it. Prefinished hardwood might be a better choice. I also have a friend who had WilsonArt laminate in her kitchen, and from day 1 the seams were smoother than mine. I don't know how it lasted, as she's moved, but Mohawk just doesn't stand up to 2 kids and a dog.

Answer 3

If moisture gets in the cracks where the boards click together, they will warp on you and you will have to replace it again soon. Maybe vinyl or ceramic tile would be better.

"When installing a laminate floor in a bathroom, you must be particularly careful to join and seal the edges of the planks according to the manufacturer's directions to prevent moisture from seeping between or below the planks. Before installing laminate flooring in a bathroom, check the product's warranty to be sure it covers this type of installation."

Answer 4

most laminate flooring can withstand a high level of humidty..you will need to read the manufactur's recommendations on that, however there should never be standing water on the laminate as it will ruin it and cause it to bubble. I would see this as a potential problem..as water tends to collect after a shower, around the toilet (from sweat).
also they make a laminate for bathrooms, but i believe it is significantly more costly

Answer 5

You can put wood in a bathroom, but you do need to protect it. Don't put it where an open shower can splash onto it. Use bath mats to soak up drips. Keep the door open to allow humid air to disperse, and remember that plumbing breaks can cause damage to almost any flooring choice. A polyurethane sealer will provide protection against normal wetness. See the links below for more info.

Answer 6

I work with it some in my field. But to be truthful I don't really know for sure. Those that are actually made from wood I don't think I would recommend. Some of the other types made from composites may hold up. But even then I would check with the manufacture first.
But generally I would say you would be better off using ceramic tile.

Answer 7

We had this in our bathroom and it survived quite well with no warping. The problem would come if water ever makes it underneath the wood, such as might happen with an overflowing toilet or tub. I've personally known one person to that had this problem.

Answer 8

You mean like the stuff called Pergo? They make a brand designed for high moisture areas like kitchen and bathroom.

Answer 9

Yes, 10 times better than real wood. Consumer reports rated it higher than real wood for durability, ease and cost.

Answer 10

I'm assuming it can. It would also be easy to clean. I just think it might not fit stylistically.