Are you sick of your old laminate flooring but don’t want to go through the hassle (and expense) of tearing it up and starting from scratch? You might wonder if you can just lay some carpet over the top and call it a day. After all, it’s just a quick and easy fix, right?
You can carpet over laminate flooring, but it’s not a good idea. Aside from creating a tripping hazard, carpeting over laminate flooring can also lead to mold and mildew growth, as well as trapping dirt and other debris in the carpet fibers.
The rest of this article will explore carpeting over laminate flooring in more detail. I will also give a few suggestions on alternative ways to update your laminate flooring without carpeting over it, so read on!
Reasons Why You Should Not Carpet Your Laminate Flooring
You might be tempted to carpet over your laminate flooring for many reasons, especially if your flooring is starting to show its age.
Perhaps you have young children who are constantly tripping over the hard surface, or you’re worried about damaging the floor when moving furniture around.
Carpeting over laminate flooring seems like a quick and easy way to change the look of your room without investing in new laminate flooring.
You might also imagine that carpeting over old laminate floors would make your house more appealing to potential buyers.
However, this is not the case. You should be aware of several disadvantages to carpeting over laminate flooring before making a decision, so let’s get into it.
1. It Voids the Warranty
Most laminate flooring products come with a warranty that specifically states that the warranty is void if the floor is covered with carpet.
So, if you will have any issues with your laminate flooring down the road, you won’t be able to replace or repair it if it’s covered with carpet.
Also, if you carpet over laminate flooring and then have problems with the carpet, the carpet manufacturer may not warranty their product either because it wasn’t installed according to their instructions.
2. It’s Hard To Remove
If you realize that you want to return to a bare laminate floor, good luck getting all that carpet adhesive off your laminate!
It’s not an easy task, and you’re likely to damage the surface of your laminate in the process.
It’s much easier (and less damaging) to remove carpet from a hard surface than it is to remove it from laminate.
If you think you might want to carpet over your laminate now but go back to a bare floor later, you’re better off not carpeting it in the first place.
3. It’s a Tripping Hazard
Carpeting your laminate floor creates a situation where the level surface is no longer level.
The carpet’s edge will stick above the level of the laminate, creating a tripping hazard for anyone walking on it.
This is a bigger worry if you have young children or older relatives living with you.
4. Carpet Is a Dust and Allergy Trap
Carpet fibers tend to trap dust, pollen, and other allergens.
Laminate floors will be considerably better for anyone who has allergies or asthma in your home.
Also, if you have pets, their dander and shedding will be trapped in the carpet fibers and will be much harder to clean.
5. It Holds Onto Smells
Just like carpets attract pests, they also hold onto smells—everything from pet odors to cooking smells.
If you carpet over your laminate floor, you’ll have to deal with these smells every time you walk into the room.
Also, this can be a problem if you’re trying to sell your home, as potential buyers may be turned off by any strong smells coming from the carpet.
6. It’s Difficult To Clean
Laminate floorings are easy to clean because they have smooth, non-porous surfaces.
Meanwhile, carpeted floors are difficult to clean because dirt and dust get trapped in the carpet fibers.
Over time, this can lead to permanent stains and a dingy appearance.
READ: Can You Put a Carpet in the Dryer?
7. Carpet Is Dated
Laminate floors have a sleek, modern look that carpeted floors simply can’t match.
If you’re trying to update the look of your home, carpeting over your laminate floors is not the way to do it.
It will only make your home look dated and will decrease its resale value.
Moreover, if you carpet over laminate flooring and then decide to sell your home, the new buyers will probably rip up the carpet anyway, so you’ll just be wasting your money.
8. Moisture Is Bad for Carpet (and Your Home)
One of the biggest problems with carpeting over laminate flooring is that it can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Carpet is porous and will absorb moisture from the air, leading to mold and mildew problems.
In addition, if there are any leaks in your home (from a roof, plumbing, etc.), the carpet will absorb that moisture and could lead to serious damage to your home.
9. Carpeting Over Laminate Creates Lumps and Bumps
Have you ever seen how old carpets get lumpy and bumpy after years of use?
That’s because furniture legs, vacuums, and people walking on them have stretched and squeezed them.
Spills and stains can also damage and wear them down.
On the other hand, laminate floors will always look smooth and sleek.
They are also much less likely to wear out over time.
10. It’s Cheaper (and Easier) To Replace Damaged Pieces of Laminate
If a plank of your laminate floor gets damaged, you can easily remove and replace it without replacing the entire floor.
With carpet, on the other hand, once it’s damaged, you pretty much have to start from scratch.
And we all know how expensive a new carpet can be!
With all these reasons to avoid carpeting over your laminate floor, you might wonder what your other options are.
Here are a few ideas:
Alternative Ways to Update Your Laminate Flooring Without Carpets
You can update your laminate flooring.
Here are several ways how:
1. Add an Area Rug
Adding an area rug is a simple way to change the look of your laminate floors.
This can give your floor a splash of color or pattern and protect it from wear and tear.
If you want some recommendations when it comes to area rugs, check out nuLOOM Modern Abstract Area Rug (available on Amazon.com)
The rug’s convenient thickness means that it can be placed anywhere you like without worrying about it being in the way.
Just be sure to vacuum or sweep the rug regularly to keep it free from dirt and debris.
2. Paint the Laminate Flooring
You can also paint your laminate floor to change how it looks.
You can paint the whole floor the same color or get creative and make patterns with stencils or tape.
Just make sure you use a primer exclusive for laminate floors only before you paint, and choose a paint that will last and is easy to clean.
3. Get Rid of Those Pesky Gaps
If there are holes in your laminate floor, you can fill them with a filler made just for laminate floors.
This will not only make your laminate floor look better, but it will also keep dirt and other things from getting stuck in the gaps.
4. Buff out the Scratches and Touch Up the Damaged Areas
If your laminate flooring is starting to look a bit scratched up, you can use a buffing pad to buff out the scratches and make them less noticeable.
Also, if areas of your laminate flooring are damaged beyond repair, you can touch them up with matching paint or varnish.
This will help them blend in with the rest of the floor and make them less noticeable.
5. Install New Baseboards
If your laminate floors are looking a little tired, one way to freshen them up is by installing new baseboards.
Baseboards come in a variety of styles, so you’re sure to find something that complements the look of your home.
Plus, they can help to protect your walls from scuffs and scratches.
And, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even refinish your existing baseboards for an even more dramatic transformation.
6. Replace the Door Trim
Changing the door trim is another quick and easy way to update your laminate floors.
Door trim comes in many different styles and materials, so you’re sure to find something that fits your style and the style of your home as a whole.
Plus, new door trim can help cover any imperfections in your existing floors.
And, if you opt for trim with built-in molding, it can also help give your doors a more finished look.
7. Deep Clean Your Laminate Flooring
Cleaning your laminate flooring is one of the best and easiest ways to make it look new again.
Dirt and grime can make even the nicest floors look dull and lifeless after a while.
Use a mild detergent or a floor cleaner made just for laminate floors to give your floors a deep clean.
You’d be shocked at how much this simple step can change things!
Conclusion
As you can see, you can carpet over laminate flooring if you absolutely need to, but it’s generally a bad idea.
There are several ways to update your laminate flooring without carpeting over it.
So, if you want to give your home a fresh new look without spending a lot of money, consider one of these alternative options.
Your laminate floors will thank you!
Cheers, tools owners!
