Pros of waterproof laminate
Many people abandon ceramic tiles in favor of laminate: this material has real advantages. First of all, it is not as cold as tile.
It is much more pleasant to walk on the floor with bare feet on such a surface. In addition, laminate has higher sound insulation and is much easier to install.
If regular laminate cannot be used in rooms with high humidity, then waterproof types are perfect for finishing a modern bathroom. The popularity of such material is growing every day.
The main advantages of waterproof laminate:
- Speed and ease of installation;
- Huge selection of textures and shades;
- Resistance to mechanical damage;
- Long-term operation;
- Non-slip surface;
- Environmental Safety.
Moisture-resistant laminate flooring is a coating on which it is impossible to slip even when there is water on it.
During operation, the material does not create any problems: it does not become covered with cracks or scratches, does not form chips and maintains its integrity for decades.
Waterproof laminate is made on a plastic base, which completely eliminates the possibility of water penetration.
Laminate coatings can even withstand sudden flooding due to service breaks or washing machine leaks. Sometimes the joints are additionally protected with rubber seals.
Which one is best to choose?
Laminate, ideal for wall coverings in the bathroom, is divided into moisture- and water-resistant. The first is made on the basis of wood-based materials. It is not intended for direct and prolonged contact with water and has surface protection against atmospheric moisture. When wet for a long time, the material swells and loses its original properties. The waterproof material is made from artificial compounds and is therefore ideally protected from both dampness and water. It is most suitable for installation in the bathroom.
Types of waterproof laminate
Laminate with waterproof characteristics is produced on the basis of:
- Plastic or polyvinyl chloride.
- Vinyl multilayer.
PVC-based laminate has a simple single-layer structure. The lamellas have air pockets in their design. They serve to increase the sound and heat insulation properties of the material, as well as reduce its weight while maintaining strength. The front side of the panels has decorative and protective layers.
Vinyl is the most modern and ideal finishing material for bathrooms. Its structure includes at least 4 layers - protective, textured, elastic and responsible for strength. Available in different modifications - panels, tiles, rolls. There are also materials with a self-adhesive adhesive base.
Material selection
The price of laminate flooring for a bathroom depends on the service life and class of the product.
The material consists of several layers:
- Basic (PVC);
- Two wide PVC layers with the addition of quartz;
- Decorative;
- Protective (made of polyurethane).
The thickness of the last layer determines the durability of the waterproof coating.
To decorate a bathroom with a moisture-resistant laminate, you must use products with a class of at least 34. A properly laid coating will last 20 years or more without changing its qualities and appearance.
Gap between wall and laminate
- It was already mentioned above that the laminate structure and the wall must have a gap . It is about a centimeter or two.
- The same space should separate the lamella and the floor. To achieve this distance, it is better to use plastic wedges.
The gap is made so that the original shape of the lamellas is not affected by possible temperature changes and humidity. To make the task easier, it is advisable to place a board of appropriate thickness underneath.
- If the laminate is mounted on the wall using glue, then the board is wrapped in film, plastic wedges are used on both sides, and when the installation is completed, the gaps are simply closed with a plinth.
- You can also seal the space with a strip of the same laminate. And most importantly, the gap can be used functionally: for heat and sound insulation or to hide communication wires.
Appearance of waterproof laminate
Modern manufacturers produce vinyl laminate in a variety of colors. Material that imitates valuable wood species is very popular.
Visually distinguishing such a coating from natural wood is not at all easy. This type of finish will look great in a country style bathroom.
Where can I buy laminate flooring for the bathroom at a good price, which will suit the quality, color and price? Popular online stores of building materials offer a wide range of materials at an affordable price.
- Light-colored panels are great for decorating rooms in the popular Scandinavian style.
- For a minimalist interior, light materials are often combined with dark ones.
In the photo of the laminate flooring in the bathroom, you can see how compatible this finish is with natural stone and ceramic tiles. Exotic lovers often pay attention to materials that imitate animal skin, leather, metal, marble, granite.
Color combinations
Before you start finishing work, think about future moves and the color palette of the room. Neutral tones pair best with wood trim. However, even bright colors can go well with laminated walls.
Yellow
Another combination that exudes warmth and naturalness. Here you can go two ways - create contrast, for example, using an industrial concrete ceiling, or create a warm and natural interior. In the first case, a lemon-yellow shade and a laminate with a gray-beige texture are suitable.
For the second - mustard, honey for accent walls and curtains and chocolate-colored wood. Both have the right to exist in modern styles.
Red color
Fiery red color is quite active, attracts attention and creates an accent. Therefore, choose a floor of very calm shades.
In the kitchen, this could be a laminate flooring that imitates natural wood, a warm brown color that echoes the table, chairs and floor of a similar shade. Add a casual accent with pendant lamps above the table and an original poster.
In the bedroom, red should be used sparingly. Use white as a base and then add some red and gray elements such as laminate flooring and pillows.
Green color
The texture of wood with greenery is ideal for eco-style. Choose a laminate with a pattern that is as close as possible to natural wood, this is the only way you can achieve the desired effect. Let the light in - hang light curtains or beige blinds on the window and fill the room with the charm of enchanting white.
When it comes to decor, everything is very simple. Animal images on posters, pillows, photographs, along with a large bouquet of wildflowers or indoor plants can create the feeling that you are in a wooden house surrounded by a beautiful forest or meadow.
White color
Shades of white combined with wood create a perfect, light and airy duet. The interior looks very natural and clean.
Depending on your wishes, select the temperature of the color combination. This can be a warm color scheme - use milky colors in combination with light wood. This design will fit perfectly into a Scandinavian-style room.
Or you can go the other way - rely on unavailable white and wood colors with a gray undertone. If you want to decorate your bedroom this way, be sure to add soft, textured fabrics to make the room feel cozier.
Floor finishing
The thermal conductivity of waterproof laminate is almost the same as that of natural wood, so walking on the floor barefoot is very pleasant. In addition, the material has good sound insulation, which adds comfort.
The floor covering can be laid in a linear or shaped way. In the first option, they move from one wall to another or diagonally. The second method involves laying with a ladder, herringbone or squares. If a combined method is used, preliminary markings must be made to align the pattern.
Step-by-step instructions for installing laminate flooring on a wall
Step-by-step instructions for installing laminate flooring on a wall:
- We check the verticality of the wall on which the laminate and its evenness.
- We decide on the method in which the laminate . Read below about mounting methods.
- Select suitable lamellas ; if it is impossible to use whole sheets due to the size of the wall, you can trim them .
- Make sure that all the tools necessary for the job are at hand. Depending on the chosen fastening method, you may need a hammer, and a device for distributing the impact force, called a boss. To secure the clamps (special brackets), you cannot do without a screwdriver .
- You will also need to tighten the outer lamellas, for which you will need a clamp wedges to create gaps .
- To mask the joints of individual lamellas and gaps, it is necessary to prepare the baseboard and corners in advance.
- Direct installation of the laminate.
Laying Select the required tool
Wall decoration
Attaching panels to a vertical surface is not as easy as fixing them to the floor. To ensure reliable installation, the sheathing is first done.
- After this, each lamella is glued to the frame and fixed using a stapler, self-tapping screws or liquid nails.
- On walls pre-leveled with plasterboard, the cladding will be perfectly smooth, without gaps.
- The material is laid horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and also using combined methods.
How to lay laminate on a wall?
- How to lay laminate on a wall with your own hands, it is imperative to check the absolute verticality of the wall using a plumb line, and if unevenness is detected, they are leveled - the easiest way to do this is to plaster the wall.
- There is another way - to cover the wall with lathing, which, by the way, will simultaneously insulate the wall and enhance sound insulation, since the corresponding material can be placed in the cells of the lathing.
- You can first attach a plywood sheet to the wall, and then lay the laminate on it - this method, like the first, will help to smooth the wall surface, hide noise, and reduce heat loss. It is imperative to take into account what class the laminate belongs to.
- And, by the way, for walls the class may not be the highest, since, unlike a laminate fixed to the floor, such a laminate is not subject to prolonged pressure, friction and other influences.
- To make the laminate look organic, it is better to select lamellas that match the dominant colors in the given room and match its overall design.
- Similar points also play a role in what kind of laminate you decide to lay on the wall: glossy or matte, is it possible to use different lamella patterns, is it advisable to move the planks, etc.
- In addition, embossed laminate will be the most advantageous on the wall, since it will get dirty much less than one that lies horizontally.
Ceiling decoration
Ceiling cladding with laminate looks more stylish and noble than finishing with other coatings. Compared to ordinary plastic, panels imitating natural wood or marble are definitely superior.
- The lamellas on the ceiling are fixed to the lathing, due to which the height of the walls is slightly reduced.
- Thanks to their smooth surface, such coatings perfectly reflect light, improving the illumination of the room.
The ceiling in the bathroom made of laminate allows you to create an exclusive design and give a luxurious look to the interior.
Laminate on the wall horizontally, vertically
- When laying on the wall horizontally, the slats are usually installed in a staggered pattern or offset by approximately a third of the panel size, using the same principle as when laying on the floor.
- If you attach the slats using lathing , then the distance between the bars should not be more than 60 cm . It should also be noted that if you install the laminate vertically, then the location of the sheathing bars should be horizontal and, accordingly, vice versa.
- In general, the lamellas should be placed horizontally , vertically or at a diagonal angle, depending on the general idea of the design and the size of the surface to be covered with the laminate. Another important point is how the slats are attached .
- If using glue, then absolutely any arrangement is possible; the use of clamps is more suitable for horizontal installation, as, in fact, for vertical installation (in the latter case, the use of rails is also convenient).
- In general horizontally to visually increase the volume of the room, especially if you use two colors.
The volume of the room increases
- Vertical laying of laminate on the wall visually increases the height of the room - this is appropriate to use if the ceilings in your room are low.
Visual increase in height
Features of installing laminate flooring in the bathroom
In order to complete the finishing as efficiently as possible, the material must be placed on a flat horizontal surface and left for a day.
Only after this can you begin laying the lamellas. The surface on which the laminate is installed must be prepared and carefully leveled.
- If there is an old covering on the floor, it is completely dismantled, after which a screed is formed. A waterproofing layer of polystyrene or foamed PVC is laid on the dried base. If installation is carried out on a wooden base, it must be cleaned of paint and then treated with a sanding machine.
- Before facing the walls and ceiling, a frame or sheathing is formed. Laying the laminate begins after the surface has been cleaned of dirt. The slats are connected using a locking mechanism.
- The tightness of the coating can be increased by treating the joints with a special sealant. The product must be designed to work with laminate and have a silicone base. This composition reacts normally to expansion of the material associated with temperature changes.
When installed correctly, a perfectly smooth, completely sealed coating is formed.
It does not slip, does not create discomfort when walking barefoot, and does not absorb moisture. The installation is completed by installing corners and skirting boards.
Laminate on the wall: price
- The cost of laminate depends on many factors: the strength of the interlocking joints, resistance to humidity, scratches, the ability to move furniture on it, environmental friendliness of the material, etc. It also matters in which country the laminate was manufactured.
- So, budget options can be considered laminate for walls priced from 150 to 1350 rubles. (Russian production), the average cost ranges from the same lower threshold to 2,400 rubles. (this is a laminate made in Germany) - prices do not differ much, but its characteristics are higher.
- Elite material starts from 5,400 to 7,000 rubles, and the quality characteristics here are the highest.
- As for the price of laying laminate on walls , it depends on the method of fastening and averages 290-390 rubles. per m².
