When is it Time to Replace Laminate Flooring?
As durable as modern laminate flooring materials are, they certainly don't last forever. But how do you know when it's time to replace your laminate flooring? Are there specific things you should look for that can give you a clue as to how your floor is holding up? Yes, there are tell-tale signs that your flooring materials are deteriorating and are ready to be replaced. And recognizing the signs at an early stage can give you the extra time needed to plan for their replacement.
Bowing and Swelling
Laminate floor boards that show signs of swelling or bowing usually indicate that moisture has gotten in between the joints or seeped in underneath the floor. If it's simply a matter of water that entered the joints from above, you probably have nothing structural to worry about. Nonetheless, replacing just the damaged boards may not be possible. If the bowing or swelling is from water that has seeped up under the floor, that's an entirely different animal. In that case, there is probably significant damage to the sub-floor and any barrier between the two, necessitating a replacement of the entire floor.
Fading or Cloudy Finish
When laminate flooring materials first come from the factory they show a clear and bright finish that allows you to see the details of the wood grain or stone the manufacturer is mimicking. As laminate ages, the finish becomes cloudy and the colours become dull. Sometimes this is caused by improper cleaning techniques, but even so, age will always cause this problem. You can prolong the life of your laminate flooring with special finishes that can be purchased at your local home improvement store. But there will come a time when the cloudiness becomes permanent and the floor will need to be replaced.
Cracks or Other Signs of Dry Rot
Although it's extremely rare, laminate flooring is still subject to dry rot just as natural wood is. If you notice cracks developing in your floor boards, especially in areas close to exterior walls, you may be experiencing dry rot issues. If the damage is minor and confined to only a small area, it can sometimes be repaired without affecting the entire floor. But if dry rot is extensive, it is likely that you'll need to replace not only the laminate, but also the sub-floor underneath.
One final reason for replacing your laminate flooring has nothing to do with its age or deterioration. You may choose to replace it simply because you desire a new look. As inexpensive as laminate are compared to natural materials, replacing for this reason is not necessarily a bad idea. After all, it's your floor.
Oak Furniture from the Past
Late last spring a travelling antique show passed through one of the U.K.'s major cities. I had the privilege of attending the show which featured everything from art work to coins to rare historical items. Although the variety of items was rather large and impressive, it seemed that the show centred on antique furniture. Receiving special attention was the oak furniture category.
The particular piece that caught the eye of appraisers was a chest of drawers from the mid to late 19th century. It was still in excellent, and one look clearly demonstrated that the craftsmanship of this piece was of the highest order. Despite being more than 100 years old, there were no visible cracks, joint separations, or warped wood. Of course, the finish had worn over the years, and subsequent owners probably stripped and refinished it several times, but it was still in great condition.
One of the appraisers who looked at the piece immediately commented on the elegant brass fixtures. These fixtures had been hand-crafted and were original to the chest. The intricacy of the fixtures was so detailed, that with a magnifying glass you could see the fine lines and textures of the floral pattern that had been chosen. It was absolutely remarkable.
The next thing the appraiser noticed was the decorative moulding around the perimeter of each drawer face. The particular pattern, as well as the method by which it had been attached, indicated the likelihood that the chest was made by a very specific builder around a very specific time. Much to my chagrin, I can no longer remember the man's name or when and where he worked, but the appraiser was so sure of his assessment, he was willing to place an auction value on this piece based solely on those two facts.
If this chest of drawers had any flaws, it would be the fact that a small piece of the back wall was not original. It appeared that one section had been damaged in some way, and the owner had fixed it by cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with a new piece of wood. The patch was significantly old as well, but certainly not as old as the original wood. Unfortunately, there's no way to know when and where this fix was applied, or the circumstances surrounding it.
I saw several other pieces of beautiful oak furniture that day, but none compared to the fine chest of drawers that so many of us were fascinated with. That's one of the things I love about antique shows. Finding one or two special pieces that stand out above the rest - it's one of life's greatest thrills.