When designing your modern bathroom, one of the big questions often comes up: Are laminates waterproof? As more people look to laminate for their bathrooms and not just their kitchen cabinets, many people want to use laminate for storage and vanity cabinets for their bathrooms as well. There are many different beliefs about how laminates work in areas with high moisture levels.
Let’s clear out these misconceptions and find out if laminate is a viable choice for the bathroom or not.
Myth 1: All Laminates are Completely Waterproof
Truth: Laminates are water-resistant; they are not 100% waterproof.
Most laminate products intended for bathrooms are created with the intention that they will dry out frequently after they are used, as opposed to having standing water on them for an indefinite time period of time, usually from prolonged exposure to surfaces (i.e. around the edges or between joints) that are subject to standing water.
The best way to ensure that laminate performs well in bathrooms is to have quality sealing and installation processes, as well as moisture-resistant base products.
Myth 2: You Cannot Use Laminates in Bathrooms
Truth: Laminates can be safely used in specific areas of the bathroom.
While laminate material isn’t probably going to work well for shower enclosures or direct wet areas, it may work very well for bathroom laminate vanity cabinets, overhead cabinetry, and decorative wall panelling. The best way to select the laminate for the bathroom is to take into account proper ventilation, how much water will be splashed on it or remain on it, and how it will be installed.
When laminate has proper edge banding and a moisture-resistant backing, it should provide excellent performance in a well-designed bathroom design.
Myth 3: Bathroom Laminate Peels Very Easily
Truth: Peeling is a result of improper installation, not a result of the laminate.
When laminate sheet material for bathrooms is installed using high-quality adhesive, has properly sealed edges, and doesn’t allow water to get into the sheet of laminate where it connects to the other sheet, it’s highly unlikely for the laminate to peel. However, if water gets into the laminate sheet material at corners or joints (e.g. not properly sealed), it can cause damage or peeling. A professional installation helps ensure that the laminate will last a long time.
Myth 4: Laminates are Not Durable in Humid Conditions
Truth: The latest laminate products are engineered to be very durable.
Many different laminate products can withstand reasonable humidity and daily use. Therefore, for Indian homeowners with bathrooms that experience changes in moisture conditions throughout the day caused by the weather, a combination of good ventilation and good-quality laminates will provide long life.
In addition to ventilation and humidity, it’s also important to find the best laminate for bathroom cabinets that is resistant to moisture, heat, and frequent cleaning.
The Best Places to Use Laminates In A Bathroom
Laminates work very well in:
- Vanity cabinetry
- Cabinets for storage
- Decorative wall panelling in non-wet areas
- Bathroom drawers and dividers
Laminates are not well-suited for:
- Shower walls with ongoing exposure to water
- Areas that have stagnant water
Making this distinction is crucial when designing a successful bathroom.
Ways to Make Laminates Acceptable for Use in a Bathroom
If you follow these steps, you can make laminate perform well in the design of bathrooms.
- Use moisture-resistant plywood or MDF as a base.
- Ensure all edges are sealed.
- Minimise the amount of time that it will come into contact with water.
- Ensure that the ventilation is sufficient to prevent humidity from building up.
Taking these steps will add time to the life of a bathroom laminate.
Conclusion
While they cannot be counted on to be waterproof, laminates can resist water. In addition, they are a good choice for many areas of a bathroom, so long as they are installed correctly. The important thing to consider is picking out the best laminate for bathroom use and having it installed by a professional who will ensure the laminate is installed so that it won’t be damaged.
If you are looking for a way to achieve both beauty and durability with your bathroom design, consider exploring the quality laminate collections available from Royale Touche.
