Worried about your flooring with the summer heat coming up? Well, you shouldn’t; your flooring can withstand a lot of heat, but how much is this, and when do you need to start to worry?
Laminate flooring can withstand a heat-up range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this highly depends on the thickness and quality of the laminate flooring. Too much heat exposure might damage your laminate flooring in the long run.
You may be wondering if laminate flooring can withstand the heat from your stove or oven. You might also be concerned about whether installing your laminate flooring in a hot garage could damage it. Luckily, laminate flooring is designed to withstand normal household temperatures and above.
Is Laminate Flooring Heat-Resistant?
Laminate flooring is generally considered heat resistant, but its ability to resist heat can depend on several factors.
- The thickness of the laminate flooring
The thickness of laminate flooring can determine just how much heat it can resist. You can find different options when it comes to the thickness of the boards. In fact, some are even designed to be used over underfloor heating systems.
The minimum thickness of your laminate flooring boards should be around 18mm for them to be able to resist heat. Check for specifications before you purchase, or ask the manufacturer about the heat resistance of the flooring.
- The temperature
The second factor that can affect the heat resistance of your laminate flooring is the temperature. This kind of flooring is designed to resist heat for the most part, but not in case of excessive temperatures. If the temperature is too high, your flooring will not be able to resist the heat, and there will be consequences. Fluctuations in temperature can also be damaging to your flooring.
Can Heat Damage Laminate Flooring?
Excessive amounts of heat can damage your laminate flooring in the long run. When the temperature is hot and humid like in the summer, laminate flooring expands and contracts when it cools back down during the winter. But, if there is too much heat, the laminate flooring may get damaged. This is because excessive heat can cause your laminate flooring to bend or crown.
Some type of laminate flooring is more resistant to changes in temperature than others, due to which it does not change shape or warp easily. But, with extreme heat or heat changes, damages are almost inevitable.
Even though the core is made up of high-density fibreboard that is treated to resist heat, the top and bottom layers of the boards may melt and cause them to warp.
Also, heat can damage the click system that most laminate flooring comes with. This means once they warp/bend or move unnaturally, they won’t stick together anymore, forcing you to buy new ones.
If you install your laminate flooring with an expansion gap, it will be able to expand due to heat. But, if there is too much heat, the boards will not have enough room to expand, and this will cause them to buckle. If you wish to know more about how much your flooring expands, this article might be of help.
Also, if you leave too much gap, you then have to fill it with gap fillers. This is not so difficult to solve, but if you’re unsure how to do it, check this complete guide.
What Temperature Can Laminate Flooring Withstand?
Laminate flooring can withstand temperatures between the range of 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. But this is, of course, when certain circumstances are met.
Can You Store Laminate Flooring in a Hot Garage?
Before we dive in, it’s important to learn what temperature to store your laminate flooring. If you’re not familiar with do’s and don’ts when it comes to long-term storing, this how to store your laminate flooring guide might save you a lot of money in the long run.
But when it comes to storing your laminate flooring in a hot garage, there are a few things you should know.
- How long do you intend to store it?
The duration for which you want to store your laminate flooring in a hot garage is important. If you are thinking of storing it for the long term, it’s probably not a good idea because excessive heat for a prolonged time can be quite damaging.
- How hot is the garage?
The temperature and humidity of the hot garage are of the utmost importance when you are storing your laminate flooring. The temperature should be between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, and humidity levels should not be more than 50% to 60%. Anything higher or lower can damage your laminate flooring.
- Is the environment consistent?
It’s also crucial to make sure that the hot garage where you intend to store your laminate flooring has a consistent environment. This means that temperature and humidity should not fluctuate, or at least not too much.
Fluctuations in temperature can be very damaging to laminate flooring boards because they will expand and contract accordingly, and this will cause them to warp, bend, buckle and even crack. In addition, the hot garage should not be damp or wet because that can also damage laminate flooring.
Also, it’s important to note that the bigger the temperature difference, the longer it needs to acclimate to the room once you’ve decided to install it. If you’re unsure how to acclimate properly, I wrote this ultimate guide on how to acclimate laminate flooring will be of great help.
- How will you keep the flooring?
Another essential factor to consider is how you will store your laminate flooring in a hot garage. Make sure you don’t take them out from their boxes. If you have already opened them, it’s recommended that you seal them once more and then put the flooring in the garage. This ensures that your flooring will not get dirty and dusty, and there is no grime build-up.
Can You Put a Heater on Laminate Flooring?
It’s possible to put a heater (depending on the type) on laminate flooring, but it’s recommended not to. There should be no temperature fluctuations because this will cause the laminate flooring to expand and frequently contract at the very spot you’d put your heater.
Is laminate flooring fire resistant?
People often ask online whether their laminate flooring is fire resistant or not. And almost everyone thinks that if it’s made out of wood, it would logically also be flammable. However, things aren’t that simple.
Even though it’s not fully fireproof, laminate flooring is only mildly combustible and does not catch fire as easily as most people think.
But, this also depends on the composition of the flooring, as some materials are more flammable than others, so it’s always a good idea to check in order to determine its resistance to fire.
Is Laminate Flooring Best for Hot Weather?
The suitability of laminate flooring for hot weather depends on two things.
- Temperature and humidity
The first thing that can help you figure out whether using laminate flooring is suitable in hot weather or not is to assess exactly how hot and humid it is. Laminate flooring is a good choice for a warm and humid climate, but it will not be able to survive in very high temperatures and humidity because it can absorb moisture. Hence, you should ensure that the temperature and humidity are between the ranges of what laminate flooring can withstand.
- The composition of laminate flooring
Another aspect of laminate flooring to keep in mind is that not all flooring available in the market are the same. Different manufacturers may use different materials and have varying specifications, such as thickness, when it comes to laminate flooring. These days, you can find laminate flooring that has been created with a high-pressure laminate.
This type of flooring is made with a special glue especially developed for absorbing moisture. This makes it ideal for use in hot and humid weather. Likewise, thick laminate flooring boards may also be able to survive for longer in hot weather.
If you are looking for the best flooring options for hot weather, there are several options you can find.
- Luxury vinyl
The good thing about luxury vinyl flooring is that it offers you the luxurious appearance of wood and simultaneously resists moisture absorption. This makes it the perfect combination for areas with hot and humid weather. Many design options are also available, and it’s easy to clean and maintain.
- Porcelain tile flooring
Another great choice for hot and humid climates is porcelain tile flooring. It’s durable and hard, which means it does not expand and contract like other types of flooring, such as laminate. It does not absorb a lot of moisture, so it will not warp. It’s also very comfortable to walk on.
- Engineered wood flooring
This type of flooring is quickly becoming the top choice for hot and humid climates. Engineered wood flooring comprises layers of different types of wood that are glued together. It’s able to withstand both humidity and heat and is extremely strong. It’s also moisture and scratch-resistant because it has an acrylic layer.
- Concrete flooring
Concrete flooring is becoming a popular choice with creative finishes and easy maintenance. As long as it’s sealed properly, it will not absorb a lot of moisture. Plus, it’s able to stay cooler in hot and humid climates more than any other flooring.
FAQs
Can Laminate Flooring Be Left in the Cold?
You can keep laminate flooring in the cold as long as you know some important details. Laminate flooring should not be left in the cold for an extended period of time because that will lead to damage.
Don’t leave it in the cold overnight for more than a few hours. The condition in which you leave laminate flooring in the cold can also make a difference; leaving it open and exposed is not a good idea. Sealing it in boxes and then leaving it in the cold is best.
Can Laminate Flooring Be Heated?
Yes, it’s possible to heat laminate flooring, but you should be mindful of the temperature. Most laminate flooring cannot handle temperatures lower than 65 degrees Fahrenheit and above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. As long as the temperature remains in this range, laminate flooring can be heated.