Waterproof laminate for the bathroom: selection tips, installation steps

What is the secret of waterproof laminate?

Waterproof laminate for the bathroom has an important feature - instead of wood and chipboard, plastic and vinyl slats are used. These materials are able to withstand various temperatures and their differences, mechanical loads and abrasion.

At the same time, they retain their aesthetic and practical properties. For additional protection, the outside of the supporting base is covered with two layers of decorative coating.

Increased resistance to moisture is provided by treating PVC or vinyl planks with a jet of molten wax under high pressure.

Thanks to this, all micropores and microcracks are closed, the surface becomes completely sealed and protected from the formation of mold or mildew, as well as from the appearance of stubborn dirty stains. Moisture is not absorbed into the material, it does not swell or deform under load.

In terms of strength, this material corresponds to hardness class 34 or 35.

Plastic laminate for the bathroom also has a second, no less important, secret of moisture resistance - the use of special locking connections using rubber gaskets.

Unlike conventional adhesive joints, rubber is able to expand and contract depending on external conditions and loads, without losing the contact density of the joined strips and without allowing water vapor to pass through.

Types of substrate for quartz vinyl

While underlayment under composite decking is not required, it is desirable in some cases. But you don’t need standard coniferous, polystyrene, cork or isolon, but a specially designed one from a series of high-density ones. Available in 5 types:

Thermoplastic lining

It is made of dense polyethylene or polypropylene in the form of an accordion or a roll cut. Most often, construction markets offer specialized products with an integrated vapor barrier and heat-reflecting layer (FineFloor UnderFloor Silver Line, Quick Step Comfort15, Arbiton Secura LVT Click Smart, etc.). The product is easy to install because there is a valve on one side and an adhesive strip on the other. This makes joining the cuts very easy. It is enough to attach the layers end-to-end, remove the protective paper on the tape and glue them together. Price – from 290 RUR/m2.

The nuances of choosing a moisture-resistant laminate

Choosing the right laminate flooring for a bathroom floor is quite difficult due to the oversaturation of the market, as well as due to different standards for the production of the material.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the technical characteristics:

The designation of the laminate must indicate in words or a special sign that it is waterproof. On the packaging it is indicated graphically in the form of a tap or an umbrella.
The minimum load class must correspond to hardness class 34. Less durable slats will not be able to withstand the weight of plumbing fixtures or installed heavy furniture, and the finish will last several times less than its expected service life.
The product passport must indicate the use of plastic or vinyl as a base.
The warranty period must be at least 25 years.
Connecting locks must be reliable, with a special gasket. You need to check the quality of the connection yourself by asking the seller for two lamellas and trying to connect them. The connection must be made at a certain angle and at the moment of snapping, a characteristic click will be heard. The gap should be absent or minimal.
The external finish of the laminate should not be slippery.
When trying to bend the lamellas, the protective or decorative layers should not peel off or become deformed.

Waterproof laminate looks significantly different from the usual one, as it resembles ceramic tiles, and also has non-standard sizes from 40x40 cm to 120x120 cm.

Also interesting: How to make a self-leveling 3D floor in the bathroom with your own hands?

The exterior finish has a pronounced shine. The locks look like wet surfaces, but it will not be possible to scrape off the wax layer.

Layer of quartz vinyl tiles

Quartz vinyl tile consists of several layers.

Let's talk about this in more detail:

The topmost layer is transparent and consists of polyurethane. It helps protect the tiles from various damages;
Next is the decorative film. There are a huge number of different colors;
Quartz vinyl helps the tiles gain strength, moisture resistance and sound insulation;
Next is the fiberglass, which helps hold the structure together to achieve the effect of immobility.
The final layer will be vinyl. It is located at the bottom of the tile.

Why shouldn't you buy moisture-resistant laminate flooring for your bathroom?

In addition to the usual laminate and waterproof, there is also a moisture-resistant one. It occupies an intermediate place in the line.

Judging by the characteristics, many manufacturers promise its increased resistance to moisture and high strength. In addition, its price is much more attractive, and many people mistakenly purchase it.

Why is it not recommended to purchase moisture-resistant laminate? The answer to this question becomes clear when studying the structure of the lamella layers.

The moisture-resistant laminate consists of a wood HDF panel made by pressing followed by the application of protective and abrasion-resistant layers. That is, if the lamella is damaged, it will begin to swell in the presence of moisture and, accordingly, become damaged under any mechanical loads.

Finishing with a waterproof laminate will provide 100% protection against water, since it contains no materials susceptible to moisture.

Cellular plastic or vinyl can be used as a base, which is covered on top with a decorative layer that is protected from stress and abrasion of the surface.

Therefore, even if it is damaged, only aesthetics will be lost.

There are exceptions to any rule: moisture-resistant laminate can be installed in the bathroom if you are confident in using the shower stall carefully and in the absence of a bathtub.

Combination of warm and vinyl flooring

Structure of quartz vinyl tile

Quartz vinyl tiles are a multilayer material:

The bottom layer is vinyl. Provides adhesion of finishing material and base.
The reinforcing frame consists of fiberglass compressed at high temperatures.
River sand and shell rock mixed with vinyl form a durable, moisture-resistant coating.
The next layer is decorative. Externally, it imitates natural material.
The protective front layer consists of a thin transparent polyurethane film. Its thickness determines the wear resistance of the finishing material.

When choosing a high-quality material made in compliance with technology, the flooring will be safe. It can be used in residential premises, bedrooms, children's and medical institutions. The advantage of this coating is its non-flammability and dielectric properties.

It should be borne in mind that quartz vinyl is included in the category of expensive finishing materials, so unscrupulous manufacturers can save on raw materials. The buyer should be wary of the low cost of the material. When using it, harmful substances may enter the room during heating.

Vinyl laminate is a new word in bathroom decoration

Vinyl laminate is as versatile a material as tiles, since it can be used to decorate not only floors, but also walls.

It will look presentable and have maximum protection from moisture. Moreover, its cost is significantly lower than that of waterproof laminate.

Compared to plastic slats, vinyl trim will look better, and the number of available decorative coatings is much greater.

It is also worth highlighting the presence of additional layers of protection against ultraviolet rays and increased loads as advantages.

Thanks to this, the service life is significantly increased, and the aesthetics of the coating remains at a consistently high level. In addition, vinyl laminate has a thickness of 2 mm.

Disadvantages of the material

Despite the abundance of advantages, vinyl flooring for the bathroom has a number of negative qualities.

The waterproof coating on the bathroom wall is very delicate. It reacts to household chemicals that are used to clean dirt. The protective film may deteriorate from exposure to chemicals or become less durable.

To completely remove all stains from the surface, it is advisable to use a light soap solution or wipe with plain water.

This material is not cheap. Of all the floor and wall coverings on the market, vinyl is one of the most expensive.

In order to begin fixing the coating, you need to make sure that the coating on which the parts will be applied is smooth and without flaws, since only under this condition will the panels hold tightly.

The advantages of vinyl coating include absolute moisture resistance

Preparing the subfloor for laying laminate flooring

Since laying the laminate must be done on a flat surface, the first step, if there are irregularities of more than 2 mm, is to screed with cement mortar.

To do this, you will need to find the most convex area with a laser level, taking it as the zero level, then place beacons or guides, treat the surface with a deep penetration primer and fill it.

It is important to meet all conditions to ensure optimal hardening, as well as to wait for complete hardening.

After preparing the base of the floors, you need to clean them from dirt and dust, and then constantly keep them dry.

Unlike regular laminate, waterproof material does not need to be brought into the room in advance to prevent it from swelling or deforming after installation.

However, if the installation is carried out in winter, you will still need to wait until the laminate warms up to room temperature after being outside.

If you do not warm it up, there is a high probability of damaging one of the outer layers when installing it on the floor.

Also interesting: Step-by-step instructions: how to make a shower stall from tiles

Installation process of waterproof laminate

Laminate flooring is laid on a special substrate, which allows you to evenly distribute loads and prevent damage to the material.

It is recommended to use mats based on foam materials or non-woven materials as a substrate. They must be laid end-to-end over the entire surface with the seams taped.

The laminate should be laid parallel to one of the walls of the room with an indentation of 6-8 mm. For convenience, it is recommended to lay a plank of appropriate thickness from the wall to prevent distortion when laying the row, which will subsequently be difficult to align.

The first lamella is laid from the corner, and the next ones are placed in a row. If a lock-type fastening is provided, then the connecting joints are coated with a sealant, and if veneered, then with an adhesive composition.

In this case, do not allow the mixture to get on the front side. Therefore, the protective film from the laminate does not need to be removed until the installation work is completed.

To ensure the reliability and tightness of the connection, the planks need to be gently tapped at the ends so that they fall into place.

The second row should be laid in a checkerboard pattern to ensure maximum coating strength.

The plank of the second row must be cut in half, laid end-to-end with the first, ensuring the tightness of the joints, and the rest of the row laid with full-size slats.

How to lay quartz vinyl tiles

Each type of tile has its own characteristics when laying this building material. This species is no exception. If it is necessary to install this product, then follow a certain sequence.

It is as follows:

The first step is to prepare a workplace where the process of laying quartz vinyl tiles will take place. At this stage, they try to make the coating perfectly smooth. For this purpose, concrete pouring is used;
The next process will be priming;
Next, you need to check the finished base for humidity, the indicator should not exceed 5%. Otherwise, the installation process will not be durable;
The installation itself should take place from the center of the room, moving towards the corners.