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Any regrets installing laminate in kitchen?

17 years ago

We are considering installing a laminate from Quick-Step in a light maple color. I understand the line is called Eligna, which has 25-year guarantee and a high rating. If you have installed laminate in your kitchen, how long has it been installed and are you happy with it? Also, do you know if the floor has to be as level when installing laminate since it is a floating floor? Any suggested questions to be asking a potential installer? Thanks in advance for any help.

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Comments (2)

morangie18
17 years ago
I'm a newbie at this too but here's some stuff I've learned in the recent past researching for my own floors.

Something to consider especially in the kitchen is the substrate the veneer is laminated too. A lot of manufacturers use a high density fiber material like MDF or some similarly derived material. If its not pre-treated for moisture resistance (usually soaked at the factory in some treating solution before the final veneer is applied) then if there's a spill or a pet has an accident that isn't cleaned up shortly after it happens it can start to warp the tiles on the edges. Only way to fix that is to replace the damaged tile as far as I know. A floorings susceptibility to this problem even if the substrate isn't treated has a lot to do with the style (beveled edges vs. 'seamless')and how well they are put down. Just throwing this out there for thought without really knowing anything about the product your considering.

That might all be old news to you anyway. I definitely helps if your floor is level though. A foam or other sound deadening pad is almost always installed under floating floor options these days which also takes care of the small bumps, dips and other minor subfloor perturbations. However, if you have a dip or bump that covers a larger surface area (probably approaching any sizeable fraction of the smallest dimension of one of your new laminate tiles) it will likely be noticeable to you, especially if it lands near the on of the edges when the flooring is laid. Options I've heard about are floor leveling compounds for big dips, sanding for big bumps. I'm sure there are many other solutions too. Even hacking out a section of the subfloor for really bad spots. This should be done for areas that show water or other damage anyway.
I'd definitely ask your installer about uneven or warped areas you have some concern about and make sure their approach make sense. Also make sure your installer has a good guarantee on their work as well. It can take a little time for installation problems to show up.

Well, probably not much help but good luck.
bonelady
17 years ago
I can't respond to the technical questions but I have had Shaw light maple laminate in my kitchen for over 6 years and I love it. I is easy to clean, looks like new, despite my two cats, and shows no sign of wear.

When I had it installed, they were glueing, rather than clicking, and I don't know if that matters.
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