How To Tell If Wood Laminate Floor Is Sealed

It is more durable less susceptible to scratches which can be a major issue if you have pets and more moisture resistant.

How to tell if wood laminate floor is sealed.

It is quite common to find unfinished wooden floors in older homes and apartments while finished or sealed floors are characteristic of contemporary homes with different sealing or treatment choices available. If the water soaks in or the floor changes color it is unsealed. Sealed wood will not change color when coated with water or if left too long the sealer will turn white but bare wood will darken. A sufficiently flexible silicone sealer that allows the flooring to move prevents water from seeping under the flooring and is good protection in areas prone to spills and moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Now that you know how to seal laminate flooring seams it s time to decide if the process is worth it or not. Because this is cheap and usually temporary flooring most consider the investment unnecessary not to mention that laminate is more resistant to liquid than hardwood. Most laminate flooring products aren t wood a typical board consists of a fiberboard core covered by a layer of melamine resins and aluminum oxide that have been stamped to look like wood. The most apparent indication of a sealed laminate floor is the glossy finish on top of the flooring that gives it a shiny look if you have some leftover panels or an extra scrap of flooring scrape the surface to check for sealing.

Frankly there are few people that bother sealing laminate flooring. Do not use water to clean your hardwood floors. If your home or apartment sports a hardwood floor it is important for you to know if the floor has been treated or finished so that you can clean and care for it in the right manner. Though most laminate flooring does not require any additional protection sealants may prove beneficial in some instances.

Unlike traditional hardwood flooring laminate planks have an outer coating that provides a layer of protection to the floor. Laminate most laminate flooring is sold already sealed but it is obtainable in an unfinished state. Wipe the water from the floor. However if the bead of water sinks down into the floor and makes a spot the sealant on your floors is no longer sound and water damage can and will occur.

To tell if your laminate floor is sealed or not go to an inconspicuous area of the floor the back of a closet perhaps and start with the water bead test. If a clear coating comes off the top then your laminate is sealed. Protip don t do this in the middle of the floor where you could stare at it for a few days. Laminate wood flooring is made from layers of composite wood pressed together and sealed with laminate.