Laminate flooring in a kitchen

[james_tigerwoods]

I'm on my phone so I can't search properly to see if this has been done to death....

Do you have to use specific (and more expensive) Laminate flooring for a kitchen (and bathroom)? I've been searching on google and the answers are pretty inconclusive.... Can the PH collective advise please?

Thanks

JTW

[Handie Andy]

My uncle decided to do his kitchen in a tiled light blue effect laminate flooring years ago. That was until his washer decided to leak while he was at work, came home to a floating floor. Now he has the more expensive more hard wearing tiled floor.

[cjs]

I used some vinyl strips that look like laminate/wood, got them from B&Q I think but there are loads of different types out there. Just put some ply down and stick the strips, very easy to do and they have been down for a few years now with no issues.

[Tallow]

Well my kitchen has laminate flooring in that was installed by the prevous owners, and 5 years on it's still going strong.
That said, I had to install a new floor in my bathroom a month or two back and had the same quandry: Laminate flooring or not? My decision was the same as CJS - to use laminate effect self adhesive tiles as they are much, much simpler to cut and install than laminate flooring...

[Simpo Two]

I'd want to use waterproof glue between the joints. Then as long as any spillage doesn't reach the edge you'll be OK.

[pacman1]

Some info here

[jas xjr]

Has anybody varnished Laminate in a kitchen? Personally I would just tile it.

[james_tigerwoods]

Thanks all - the washing machine isn't in the kitchen anyway so that's not an issue, I may chance it as there's next to no chance of there being a water spillage the likes of which I'd get if a washing machine broke....

As for the bathroom - I think I'll use vinyl.

[douglasr]

There are laminates designed for high moisture areas. Pergo are one of the most popular brands - they also do vinyl flooring too - http://www.pergo.com/en-gb/Consumer/Products/

I used Amtico, in my bathroom - expensive, but very high quality and looks the same as it did when it was installed 8 years ago. http://www.amtico.com/pages/home.aspx

[Stu R]

Yep, probably for the last 10 years or so with a 2 year hiatus for real wood (now replaced with laminate again as the real wood was getting scratched to bits by the dogs claws). No problems to report, and the dogs can get better traction too

[Simpo Two]

Stu R said:

Yep, probably for the last 10 years or so with a 2 year hiatus for real wood (now replaced with laminate again as the real wood was getting scratched to bits by the dogs claws). No problems to report, and the dogs can get better traction too

It's quite fun watching a fully grown labrador trying to do an emergency stop from speed on a laminate floor... 'straight to the scene of the accident' as Martin Brundle would say.

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 18th November 22:55

[Globulator]

james_tigerwoods said:

Do you have to use specific (and more expensive) Laminate flooring for a kitchen (and bathroom)?

Yes and no.

Yes you have to, but no it still won't work.
Just tile it or use real wood (carefully).

Laminates will soak up water at the edges, which then rise up and get worn off, giving a ste worn look.

[Stu R]

Simpo Two said:

Stu R said:

Yep, probably for the last 10 years or so with a 2 year hiatus for real wood (now replaced with laminate again as the real wood was getting scratched to bits by the dogs claws). No problems to report, and the dogs can get better traction too

It's quite fun watching a fully grown labrador trying to do an emergency stop from speed on a laminate floor... 'straight to the scene of the accident' as Martin Brundle would say.

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 18th November 22:55

Yup, springer spaniel pups hurtling towards the french doors with their backsides overtaking their heads is always funny once the 'eek are they going to stop' bit is over

[james_tigerwoods]

Many conflicting answers - ARGH!