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Since laminate flooring entered the market in 1970, it has become the go-to option for homeowners who want stylish, durable, affordable flooring. What’s unique about laminate flooring is its superior durability, especially when compared to natural flooring. More so, laminate flooring offers top-level stain, dent and scratch resistance.
Because of its superior durability, it is common to see laminate floors last for a decade or more. This means there is a good chance you’ll be tired of your floor’s appearance long before it deteriorates.
Because of this, we often get asked whether laminate floors can be reused. One time, a reader asked us whether it was possible to lift laminate floors from one room and install it in another. So in today’s post, we will discuss everything you need to know about whether laminate floors can be reused.
Can I remove laminate floors and fit them somewhere else?
It is possible to lift and relay a modern laminate floor. This is possible because most modern laminate floors do not require that you use glue during the installation process.
That said, you might not be able to remove and refit older laminate floors because these laminate floors are typically fitted using very strong adhesive designed to keep the joining tight, preventing any type of movement.
Simply put, if your home is fitted with modern laminate flooring, which doesn’t require adhesive, you can remove them and use them elsewhere. And while you can remove the flooring yourself, you can also get a professional to do the job so you don’t ruin the floor.
With an older laminate floor, you’d typically find that the adhesive is stronger than the laminate floor itself. This simply means you might damage the laminate floor while trying to remove it. So even though removing an older glued laminate floor is possible, you might not be able to reuse it.
Removing and relaying a laminate floor depends on the care taken during the disassembly process. Provided the connecting system or joining system of the laminate floor is in good condition when lifted, you can always relay it elsewhere.
Any damage, such as tearing or chipping, might affect the aesthetics of your laminate flooring, and we are sure you wouldn’t like that. To this end, ensure you take your time when removing it. By being careful, you might be able to salvage a large chunk of your laminate flooring.
Also, remember that cheaper laminate floors may be susceptible to damage during dismantling, so do your due diligence when removing them.
How challenging is it to remove laminate flooring?
Removing your laminate flooring is a straightforward task. Except you don’t have time up your sleeves, you might not need to call in a professional fitter to handle the task.
Even if your DIY skill is pretty basic, it should be good enough to remove an old laminate floor. That said, you’ll need to take your time during the entire process.
Again, keep in mind that removing a glued laminate floor can be a bit challenging. While it might not be a complex process for a professional, for someone with your DIY skill, it should take a lot more time.
To make the entire process seamless, we highly recommend using the same tools for glue and non-glue laminate floors. The only difference is the level of pressure applied during the removal process. When removing a non-glued floor, you only need to apply minimal pressure. On the flip side, you might need a more destructive approach when removing a glued laminate floor.
Here are the important tools and safety equipment you’ll need to remove an old laminate floor
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Pry bar
- Vacuum cleaner
- Safety glasses
- Chisel
- Floor scraper.
Can you recycle laminate floors?
With the advancement in technology, it is possible to recycle laminate flooring for nearly 85% of its mass. For instance, an old laminate floor can be put back into manufacturing to make newer laminate floors.
Unfortunately, you can’t just put your old laminate floors in a recycling bin, and that’s because your local recycling center may not be able to handle it. Thankfully, you can always reach out to the manufacturer. We are sure they will be more than happy to take your old laminate floors and use them as raw materials for producing new products. Because these companies always source raw materials, they would even be happy to come to take it themselves.
In addition to recycling old laminate floors, did you know that you can also use your leftover laminate materials creatively? Oh yes, if your DIY skill is top-notch, you can easily build cool stuff like coasters, cloth racks, welcome signs and more from old laminate planks.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to remove a laminate floor?
To be honest, it depends on the type of laminate floor you have in your home. If you have a modern laminate floor that wasn’t installed using glue, removing it will take a few hours. On the flip side, if your home is fitted with glued laminate floors, removing it might take much longer.
Can I remove my laminate flooring myself?
If you are not too busy and ready to get your hands dirty, you can actually remove your laminate floors yourself. All you need to do is have the right tools. And since you are taking on the task yourself, you’ll end up saving some extra bucks, which you can use for other projects in your home.
Which is best, glued or non-glued adhesive?
The majority of the modern laminate floors on the market today are non-glued. We love this option because they are super easy to remove and reuse. Because they are non-glued, you can remove and refit them somewhere else.
While glued laminate floors are durable, the issue with them is that they aren’t easy to remove and fit somewhere else. Even when applying optimum care, you might still damage some of the floors.
