Burning laminate flooring may seem like an easy way to get rid of it, but there are a lot of things that you probably need to consider, things like is it allowed in your state or is it even safe?
Burning Laminate flooring is not considered safe because the top layer of the material is covered with a thin but effective protective coat that helps prevent discoloration and fading. However, it also emits hazardous chemicals into your air when burned.
You’re considering burning your old laminate flooring, maybe it got infested with mold or maybe it started cracking or peeling and is beyond repair. But you’re unsure if it’s safe to actually burn it. Obviously, you don’t want to damage your fireplace or release harmful toxins into the air. Believe me, you^re not alone, we know that getting rid of your old laminate flooring can be difficult, but it’s essential to dispose of it safely.
Is It OK To Burn Laminate Flooring?
It’s never a good idea to burn laminate flooring because even though 80% of it consists of wood, you cannot Incinerate or incinerator them like other products.
And the reason why is that laminate floor planks are made up of different layers, and the top one is coated with aluminum oxide. The top layer of the floor plank and wood is bonded with an adhesive, so you can’t burn them separately.
Why is this a problem? When laminate flooring is burnt, the layer which is coated with aluminum oxide emits chemicals that are quite harmful.
What Happens When You Burn Laminate Flooring?
There are several consequences of burning laminate flooring. Some of these are mentioned below.
- A health hazard
So we already know it’s a health hazard, but what happens when you burn Laminate flooring? Aluminum oxide is used to varnish the topmost layer of the laminate floor, but it’s not all. Other chemicals will get burned in the process, such as melamine resin formaldehyde, isocyanates, and cyanuric acid.
The resin starts melting when you burn the planks, and formaldehyde is released, which is extremely toxic and undetectable.
If exposed to this chemical, it will irritate your throat, nose, sinuses, and skin. Too much exposure can lead to cancer, breathing difficulties, organ damage, and other health complications.
- Air pollution
Another consequence of burning laminate flooring is the release of toxic gases into the atmosphere. Burning the flooring emits toxic chemicals will affect the air quality. Not only does this harm the environment, but also other people who will breathe in this air.
5 Best Tips To Dispose Laminate Flooring
- Put it in the garbage.
The simplest way of disposing of laminate flooring is for you to throw it away. No, this does not mean that you throw entire planks of laminate flooring.
This is only applicable when you have small flooring scraps that can easily fit in your dumpster or trash. This is the quickest option for you to dispose of the laminate flooring you no longer need.
There are also waste disposal services that will pick up the laminate flooring. However, it would be best if you got in touch with local authorities to ask before you do so.
- Talk to local municipalities.
Another alternative that you can explore for disposing of your laminate flooring is to get in touch with the local municipalities or waste disposal department and make arrangements for a special dumpster or a waste collection service.
They can ensure it’s delivered to a recycling facility. You’ll be required to pay for this service, but they’ll take the laminate flooring off your hands without much hassle.
- Recycle the planks
If the above two options are not applicable, you need to think of an alternative disposal method. Recycling can be considered a common way of disposing of Laminate flooring.
This is usually done at a landfill. But, you should remember that not all landfills will have the means of recycling laminate flooring. This is due to the composition of the planks, and not every landfill is equipped to recycle construction materials.
Therefore, it’s highly recommended to first check with your local recycling center to see if they have the capability to process laminate flooring.
Some landfill sites can help connect you to a recycling facility or send it to one.
- Get in touch with the manufacturer.
You can also get in touch with the laminate flooring manufacturer to ask if they have a recycling program. Eco-friendly companies usually have such programs in place to help dispose of the flooring properly. They can come to pick up the flooring you want to dispose of.
- Upcycle
One of the best ways for you to dispose of laminate flooring is to not dispose of it at all. You may not be able to use the laminate flooring for its actual purpose, but there are other ways it can be used. If you enjoy DIY, this can be a great project, or you can hire an expert for it.
You can repurpose or reuse the laminate flooring and use it in various ways around your home. Some of these are mentioned here.
- Use the laminate flooring to revive your old counter, tabletop, or island tops. You can clean the old panels and apply them to the surface.
- The laminate flooring planks can also be used to build a new desk, coffee table, or even a bedside table.
- Depending on the number of laminate floor planks you have, it’s possible to repurpose them into wainscoting. This can spruce up a room, protect the walls, and provide insulation. It’s both beautiful and functional.
- Laminate flooring planks can also be used for building shelves, wall décor, picture frames, planter boxes, coasters, and trays.
- You can also use your laminate flooring planks outdoors in the garden to make a fence around your plants. You can make an outdoor doormat or a bike rack with them. The planks can also be mounted and painted for decoration or to create unique signs.
FAQs
Are laminate floors toxic?
Yes, the composition of laminate flooring makes it toxic. The wood-bonding adhesives used are considered toxic for animals and humans. The raw materials used in laminate floorings like cyanuric acid, resin formaldehyde, aluminum oxide, and isocyanates can cause kidney damage, asthma, and other health problems.
Can you put laminate flooring in a fire?
The fire resistance of laminate flooring depends on its composition. Since it’s made up of wood fibers, it means that it can be burnt. It will burn less quickly, require a lower temperature, and produce toxic gases.
What Is The Best Way to Dispose of Laminate Flooring?
The best way to dispose of laminate flooring depends on the number of panels you have and their condition. Small pieces can just be put in the garbage. If they are in good condition, you can upcycle the laminate flooring planks and use them differently. If they cannot be re-used, it’s best to take them to a landfill for recycling.