Laminate’s Longevity: Maximizing the Life of Your Flooring Investment

Laminate flooring is a popular choice across Western Canada, from Vancouver to Calgary, due to its affordability, style variety, and impressive durability. However, the lifespan of this investment which can range from 15 to 30 years is not determined solely by its initial quality, but by the ongoing care and preventative maintenance it receives. Maximizing the life of your laminate requires adopting simple, proactive measures focused on protecting its core components: the wear layer and the moisture-sensitive High-Density Fiberboard (HDF) core. Simple steps like using felt pads on furniture, placing mats at every entryway, and maintaining consistent interior humidity are crucial for preventing wear, damage, and gapping.

Jordans Flooring is the leading flooring retailer in the Western Canada area, with numerous locations across BC and Alberta. Expect the pricing of a large box store plus the service and dependability of an independent, family-owned business, offering expert advice on extending the life of your laminate.

Defense Against Abrasion: Protecting the Wear Layer

The wear layer is the transparent, protective top coating that guards the visual layer beneath. Once this layer is compromised, the floor’s aesthetic life is drastically reduced.

Furniture, Scratches, and Entry Mats

• Felt Pads are Non-Negotiable: This is the single most important preventative measure. Every piece of furniture that rests on the floor especially dining chairs, sofas, and tables must be fitted with high-quality, dense felt pads. Unprotected furniture legs act like sandpaper or hammers, creating tiny scratches and large dents every time they are moved. Pads should be routinely checked and replaced when they become dirty or compressed.
• The Entry Mat Strategy: The majority of damaging wear comes from abrasive grit sand, tiny stones, and road salt tracked in from outside. Place large, high-quality doormats or runner rugs at every exterior entrance, including the garage and patio doors common in Abbotsford and Coquitlam homes. These mats trap the abrasive materials before they can be spread across the floor.
• Avoid Rolling Chairs: Standard plastic casters on office chairs are highly damaging to laminate. If a rolling chair must be used, the area requires a protective floor mat (chair mat), or the casters should be replaced with soft, specialized rubber casters designed for hard surfaces.
• Pet Claws: Keep pet claws trimmed or filed smooth. While laminate is tough, the continuous impact and friction from sharp pet nails can gradually damage the wear layer over many years.

Battling the Elements: Moisture and Humidity Control

Laminate’s HDF core is highly susceptible to water and humidity changes, making climate control essential for structural longevity in Western Canada’s fluctuating weather.

Preventing Swelling and Gapping

• Avoid Standing Water: Laminate is water-resistant, but not waterproof at the seams. Never use excessive water or a steam mop for cleaning. Spills must be wiped up immediately to prevent water from seeping into the seams and causing the HDF core to swell irreversibly.
• Humidification in Winter: In colder Alberta climates (Edmonton, Calgary), indoor heating can drastically dry out the air during the winter. When humidity drops too low (below 35% relative humidity), the laminate planks can shrink, leading to visible gapping between the boards. Maintaining consistent indoor humidity, ideally between 40% and 55%, using a humidifier, prevents this movement.
• Dehumidification in Summer: Conversely, high summer humidity (common in coastal BC) can cause the planks to swell. Ensure proper ventilation or use a dehumidifier in basements to prevent planks from pushing against the walls, which can lead to buckling.
• Proper Cleaning: Use only a damp (not wet) microfiber mop and a manufacturer-recommended laminate floor cleaner. Oil soaps, waxes, and harsh chemical cleaners can dull or degrade the wear layer, compromising its scratch-resistance over time.

Installation Longevity: The Importance of the Float

Laminate is a “floating floor,” and its longevity relies on its ability to move freely. Restricting this movement is a common cause of failure.

Maintaining the Expansion Gap

• The Expansion Gap: Laminate planks must have a small expansion gap (typically $1/4$ to $3/8$ inch) around the entire perimeter of the room (walls, door casings, cabinets). This gap allows the entire floor to expand and contract as a single unit in response to humidity changes.
• Never Pin the Floor: The floor must never be pinned down. Do not nail shoe molding directly through the floor, and avoid installing heavy, permanent structures (like kitchen islands) directly on top of a floating laminate floor. Pinning the floor restricts movement and will cause the floor to buckle dramatically when expansion occurs.
• Regular Inspections: Periodically check the baseboards and transitions to ensure the required expansion gap remains open and hasn’t been accidentally filled with caulk or debris.

Long-Term Laminate Investment with Jordans Flooring

Maximizing the lifespan of your premium laminate floor requires simple, key preventative measures, including protecting the wear layer from abrasion and carefully controlling the interior humidity to prevent core swelling and gapping. Jordans Flooring is the leading flooring retailer in the Western Canada area, with expert installers and quality products to ensure your floor lasts, and we are ready to guide you through the best maintenance practices.

To explore our durable laminate selection and get expert advice on long-term care. Visit our showroom locations in Western Canada or Contact us today for an In-Home Consultation.