Laminate in the bathroom. Is it possible?

If the tile as a floor covering in the bathroom seems to you too ordinary, you can look for an alternative.
For example, if your design project involves a wooden floor, then you can now put a laminate in the bathroom - but not the usual, but absolutely waterproof plastic. This product was developed not so long ago, and it is based on a PVC composite material, not impregnated with a moisture-resistant composition HDF plate. In its composition, the coating resembles both laminate and polymeric wall panels.

Plastic is not afraid of water, so PVC laminate can really easily put in the bathroom and the kitchen. Manufacturers guarantee the absolute tightness of the lock joints - so the water under the floor surface also will not fall.

 

Waterproof laminate suitable for the bathroom, produce several brands:

• Belgian companies: Parcolys (produces the Aqua-Step brand) and Dumaplast (manufactures the Dumafloor brand laminate in France);
• Turkish Aqualam produces material of the same name brand;
• German HDM - Aqua brand laminate.

Laminate flooring of these brands can be easily lined with bathrooms and kitchens. It combines perfectly with the floor heating system, just washes and absorbs noise 30% more than normal. According to the manufacturer’s warranty, a waterproof laminate can serve without replacement in an apartment for 15 to 20 years. When using PVC - laminate in public premises or in production, the service life is reduced in proportion to the load.

Waterproof laminate is available in different design versions - under natural wood, stone, tile, both dark and light colors.

It is hollow, so moving heavy furniture must be done carefully - you can push or scratch it.

Therefore, manufacturers, in particular, the Belgian Dumafloor strongly recommend to protect the floor, equipping the legs of chairs, tables and other furniture that will stand on the floor with special felt pads on self-adhesive basis.

“Lift the furniture when you move it. Never drag it across the floor, ”advises the manufacturer. (duma-floor.ru)

Unlike ceramic tiles, waterproof is easy to install. But despite the seeming attractiveness, the cost of this new material is high. One square meter will cost you 2000 rubles and more.

 

A new and expensive PVC laminate is not yet very popular and is not used for a long time, but still customer reviews about it can already be read online.

Plastic laminate for the bathroom - consumer reviews

“The operating experience is small - 3 months. What can I say? Water and dirt, he really is not afraid, because it's just plastic. Joints with silicone seals. Washes fine. Appearance is beautiful - it does not look like plastic. It fits easily, but you need a device for laying laminate ... "(Belmar, www.forumhouse.ru)

"In the bath, he sold out of the washing machine because hollow and white stripes began to appear in the corridor ”(about Aqua-Step laminate, Mikhail, pro-poly.ru)

“The feeling of PVC panels is the feeling of commercial linoleum or PVC tiles. Commercial linoleum is more practical with the same design ... Then why? ”(AndrI, www.mastercity.ru)

PVC laminate and health damage

If you buy a plastic laminate of a well-known brand and brand, then you should not worry about your health, since all household PVC in a quiet state does not pose any danger. It will become dangerous during a fire, since during combustion, dioxins will begin to be released, which suppress immunity and provoke the occurrence of various diseases, including oncological ones.

To date, safe PVC is actively used not only in everyday life, but also in the manufacture of toys, dishes, packaging.

findings

From the available information on waterproof laminate, we can draw some conclusions:

• Before buying a waterproof laminate for a bathroom, made on the basis of PVC, it is best to consider it in the store. Advertising does not always correspond to our ideas.
• Sharp and heavy objects (knives, wrenches, etc.) should not be dropped on such a floor from a great height.
• In the area of ​​the washing machine, it may be wiser to put tiles.
• Care should be careful - do not rub with a hard brush, use mild detergents. Moreover, any contamination from PVC laminate is easily removed.
• The new material has both disadvantages and undoubted advantages, which we have tried to consider as objectively as possible. And to use it or not for your bathroom - you decide!