My cheap laminate flooring cost me triple in the long run

I put in some budget laminate from a big box store in our Edmonton basement last summer, paid about $1.50 per square foot for it. Within 6 months the edges were all swollen from a tiny moisture leak under the washer. Now I'm looking at tearing it all out and spending closer to $4 a square foot for something waterproof. Anybody have good luck with vinyl plank in a basement bathroom?

3 comments

3 Comments

jennys721mo ago

Paid $1.50 and got exactly what you paid for. Higher end laminate holds up fine in basements if you install it right, vinyl plank just trades one set of problems for another.

julia_miller241d ago

And honestly, the install part is everything. I've seen people slap down cheap laminate over a damp slab and then blame the flooring when it fails. You're right that the higher end stuff has way better locking systems and moisture barriers built in. Plus, vinyl plank can get that weird hollow echo sound if the subfloor isn't perfect, and good luck fixing a single damaged plank without taking half the room apart. Do you think the average DIY person just doesn't prep enough before laying it down?

johnson.daniel1mo ago

Buddy of mine tried that and ended up with water bubbles under the planks after one leak.