Laminate can go in a kitchen, and waterproof laminate can go in most bathrooms, but standard laminate is a poor fit for any room where water sits on the floor. The difference is the core and how the seams handle water. In Highlands Ranch homes we usually steer full bathrooms toward tile or luxury vinyl plank and keep laminate for kitchens, half baths and living areas.
- Standard laminate has a wood-fiber core. If water gets into the seams and stays there, the edges can swell.
- Waterproof laminate is built to resist standing water for a set time, but its warranty usually comes with installation rules.
- Kitchens and half baths are good places for waterproof laminate. Full bathrooms with a tub or shower are better served by tile or LVP.
- Laminate still needs to acclimate before installation, which matters in Colorado’s dry air.
Can laminate flooring go in a kitchen?
Yes. Kitchens get spills, dog bowls and dishwasher drips, but they rarely have water standing on the floor for long. A good laminate holds up to that traffic, and its wear layer handles chairs and foot traffic well. The weak point is the seams. Wipe spills up instead of letting them sit, and pick a laminate rated as water-resistant or waterproof if anyone in the house is hard on floors.
One thing to plan for in a kitchen remodel: laminate is a floating floor, so it usually goes in after the cabinets, not under them. Our post on whether cabinets go in before or after the floor explains why.
Can laminate flooring go in a bathroom?
It depends on the bathroom and the product. A half bath with a sink and toilet is close to a kitchen in how much water hits the floor, and waterproof laminate does fine there. A full bathroom with a tub or shower is different: water lands on the floor every day, and it can sit at the base of the tub and around the toilet.
Manufacturers that rate their laminate for bathrooms often attach conditions to the warranty, such as sealing the perimeter of the room with silicone. Read the installation guide and warranty for the exact product before you buy it, because those rules are what decide whether a water claim is covered.
Standard laminate, waterproof laminate, LVP or tile?
| Floor | Kitchen | Half bath | Full bath with tub or shower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard laminate | Fine with care | Not ideal | Not recommended |
| Waterproof laminate | Good | Good | Possible, follow the warranty rules |
| Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) | Good | Good | Good |
| Tile | Good | Good | Best for wet areas |
Luxury vinyl plank was on 55% of our invoices over the past year, more than any other floor (see our Denver-area homes and flooring facts page). Part of the reason is that it handles water and Colorado’s dry air well. If you like the look of laminate but the room is wet, compare it with the LVP options in our showroom.
What we carry for kitchens and wet-prone rooms
Our showroom has standard and waterproof laminate. One example is Audacity Core 12, a 12mm waterproof laminate with an attached pad (see the Audacity page for the collections and colors). You can see the full range on our laminate flooring page.
Laminate in Highlands Ranch homes
Highlands Ranch is newer than most of the south metro: the median home was built in 1997, and 38% of homes went up in 2000 or later, according to the Census figures on our facts page. Many of those homes still have the original builder-grade vinyl in the kitchen and baths, and owners often ask whether laminate can replace it. In the kitchen, usually yes. In the main bathroom, we will show you tile and LVP side by side so you can compare.
Common questions
Is waterproof laminate really waterproof?
It is built to resist standing water for a period of time set by the manufacturer. That is different from being installed under water. Spills cleaned up within that window should not damage it, and the warranty spells out the details.
Does laminate need to acclimate before installation?
Yes. Laminate should sit in the room it is going into before installation, following the manufacturer’s guide. Colorado’s dry air makes this more important, and our laminate flooring guide covers it.
Can laminate go in a laundry room?
A laundry room is closer to a full bathroom than a kitchen, because a washer leak can put a lot of water on the floor at once. We usually recommend tile or LVP there.
Planning a new floor in Highlands Ranch?
We measure for free and give you a written, itemized quote. Call (303) 993-6479, visit the showroom at 16728 E Smoky Hill Rd, Unit 10-A in Centennial, or request an estimate online.