Is it possible to varnish laminate flooring: why and how to paint it correctly

Varnish and laminate are considered an impossible combination. However, with the help of special compounds, the operation of decorative processing of modern flooring material looks feasible and rational. The answer to the question whether laminate flooring can be varnished depends on many factors. The operation is not difficult to perform under any conditions. However, its result is influenced by the degree of damage to the surface, the base for the flooring, the underlay and a number of other characteristics of the floor covering.

Varnishing the laminate

Description of the problem

To understand why coating laminate flooring with varnish is rational only if a number of mandatory requirements are met, it is worth remembering how this material is laid in practice.

The base is often not leveled enough. Existing types of substrates allow height differences of up to 5 mm to be ignored, while the recommended level delta is only 2 mm.
The installation technology interferes with coating the laminate with varnish. It is floating, the laminate flooring layer is not fixed, nor are its elements connected. Slat boards can shift and deform unevenly.
Lacquer laminate is subject to temperature deformation. This is the main danger for the external durable coating. The varnish may crack.

But the answer to the question of whether laminate flooring is varnished sounds positive. To do this, you need to eliminate the three listed important factors. In some apartments and houses they no longer play a decisive role.

responsible repairers or builders carefully prepare the base for the laminate and ensure a level difference of 2 mm;
When laying, very thin backings are used to ensure minimal bending of the board under load.

If the room has a good air conditioning system, the answer to the question whether laminate flooring can be varnished will be positive. With a constantly operating microclimatic installation, temperature surges and the deformations they cause are small.

Application technology

The work is performed as follows:

the floor is thoroughly cleaned with a vacuum cleaner;
if there are defects on the coating, they are masked using special colored pastes or wax;
apply the varnish with a roller or brush, evenly distributing the composition over the surface;
You need to apply it in three or four layers, waiting for the previous layer to dry.

Some home craftsmen believe that before applying the first coat of varnish, it is necessary to sand the laminate in order to improve adhesion. Experts categorically do not recommend doing this, since sanding will render the coating unusable and will need to be replaced.

Laminate varnish can be used for restoration or protection purposes. Practical experience shows that the latter option is more profitable, especially if there is a high risk of damage to the laminate in the house. For example, if there are pets in the house that can damage the laminate.

Why are varnish coatings used?

When considering whether it is possible to varnish laminate flooring, it is worth knowing what this technique is used for. Main options:

the surface of the lamella boards is damaged by animal claws;
there are large scratches from various impacts; Read how to repair laminate flooring here.
The wear of the laminate surface is great due to the period of use, abrasions, uneven reflection and other imperfections are observed.

The varnishing operation takes time and requires careful preparation. Therefore, thinking about whether it is possible to varnish a laminate, having bought a cheap variety and wanting to get an aristocratic shine and style, definitely does not make sense. Investments of money and labor do not compensate for the difference in cost.

Laminate requiring varnishing

Opinion of laminate manufacturers regarding varnishing

The produced laminate is covered with a special film for protective purposes. It makes its surface homogeneous and monolithic. The film used does not have pores that could increase the adhesion of paints and varnishes to the floor surface. Unlike wooden floors, varnished laminate does not retain the substance applied to it, and then after a while the varnish cracks and the process of peeling begins.

Also, when deciding whether it is possible to paint the laminate with varnish, do not forget about the method of laying the coating, because... Basically, laminate does not have a rigid fixation between itself and the floor. This method of fastening involves holding the laminate on a special substrate and using a plinth around the perimeter of the room (about

How to achieve good results

The problem in creating a high-quality varnish coating on laminate lies in its structure. It looks like this:

base - MDF board, crushed wood into dust;
then several layers are applied to the front part, one of which is melamine film or paper with a pattern;
The coating is crowned with a protective film of polymer.

When varnishing a material, the protective film must be sufficiently damaged to allow the mixture to penetrate to the paper layer. And here is the answer to the question of whether laminate flooring can be varnished and with what kind. The basis of the composition, the main component of the mixture, must match the characteristics of the film with a pattern applied to the MDF board.

Laminate flooring with acrylic film should be painted only with acrylic varnishes. Accordingly, polyurethane coatings interact better with appropriate compounds.

It is worth remembering that the structure of the patterned film covering the laminate is very dense and it is difficult for varnish to penetrate into the smallest pores of its surface. Therefore, the answer to the question whether laminate flooring can be varnished depends on the choice of a good product. Special compounds are designed for treating floor coverings of this class. They dry quickly and have high penetrating power.

Material selection

To get a good result, it is important to choose the right varnish. Let's figure out what paint and varnish material can be used. Before choosing a varnish, you need to clarify what composition the polymer film on the selected type of laminate has. Then you will need to choose a paint material on an appropriate basis. There are two options for film composition:

acrylic;
polyurethane.

This means that the varnish will need to be chosen, respectively, based on acrylic or polyurethane.

Advice! When choosing any materials for laminate care, you should give preference to those that are adapted for this coating. That is, the description must directly indicate that this product is suitable for laminate flooring.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the properties of the material. Primary requirements:

the paint and varnish material should not have a strong odor, since it will be used indoors, and the presence of an odor will significantly complicate the life of residents. In addition, odorless products are usually harmless, while those with a strong smell contain harmful volatile solvents;

the material must be quick-drying, because few people like the prospect of not entering the room for several days. If you use a quick-drying option, you can start using the room within a day;
To ensure protective properties, you should purchase a fixing varnish that forms a dense film that prevents scratches.

Surface preparation

Before applying varnish, the surface of the laminate must be thoroughly prepared. She is not cycled. A thorough wet and dry cleaning is carried out, before which all joint areas of the installation elements are carefully examined to remove dust and other contaminants. Subsequent preparation consists of masking and protecting the damaged areas. For this they produce:

masking minor scratches. This is done using special polymer products, which are usually offered in the same stores where laminate varnish is sold;
protection of deep scratches that have reached the base of the flooring - MDF boards. This is done using PVA glue. If the amount of damage is large, you can add dyes to it so as not to change the average color of the surface;
if necessary, use special type putty melts to fill large damages;
masking damage in the form of wide rubbed scratches using a wax pencil.

To improve adhesion, the surface of the laminate flooring installation elements is treated with very fine sandpaper. This must be done carefully, ensuring a slight roughness without noticeably disturbing the color of the coating.

Can laminate flooring be varnished?

Laminate floors can be varnished, but only under certain conditions.

It is very important to initially minimize floor vibration by completely leveling the sub-base before installing laminate flooring. To do this, you need to make a cement floor screed or use self-leveling compounds. Having a level base will minimize the likelihood of damage to the boards.
To eliminate the process of thermal expansion of laminated panels, it is necessary to maintain the same humidity and temperature conditions in the room throughout the year, which can be achieved through the use of modern air conditioning systems. If there is such a system in the house, then the varnished laminate will not change its geometric dimensions.
In specialized stores you can find laminate flooring with textured and structured surfaces, which are better suited for processing with varnish compounds than models with a completely flat top layer.

How to work with varnish

Laminate varnishes dry very quickly. Therefore, you should only stir the composition in the jar immediately before application. The choice of which varnish to coat the laminate depends on the initial characteristics of the surface. For dark coating colors, it is recommended to choose translucent or transparent compositions. At the same time, varnishes with a white base are best suited for light matte surfaces.

There is an opinion that laminate varnish can be selected from the group of parquet varnishes, which have a durable surface after hardening and guarantee penetration into the structure of the material. In practice, everything looks the other way around. Parquet varnishes are designed to penetrate the wood structure, which consists of tiny fibers. They cannot adhere well to the small pores of the laminate surface, so they will not last long on it.

After the varnish is thoroughly mixed in the jar, it is applied using a wide brush with soft bristles or a paint roller. You need to work starting from the corner of the room farthest from the door and moving towards the exit.

Stages of doing the work yourself

So, when the materials and tools have been purchased, you can begin to carry out the work. And first of all, before painting, the laminate should be prepared, which has already been mentioned more than once above. This is where we will start.

Surface preparation

To fully prepare, you need to do the following:

Clean the laminate from dust and dirt, and then perform a wet cleaning. Afterwards, let the surface dry completely.
At the next stage, the laminate must be treated with sandpaper with a high degree of abrasiveness. This should be done in order to erase the top protective layer, which will otherwise prevent adhesion.
Next, all scratches, gouges and chips need to be filled with putty. The material can be applied either with a regular metal spatula or with a special (rubberized) one. The layer should not be too thick. As a result of restoration using wood putty, you should strive to obtain a relatively flat surface without chips.
After this, let the materials dry. Then sand the surface with finer sandpaper until a perfectly smooth base is obtained.
At the fifth stage, wash the floor, dry it well and treat it with a degreaser.

Coloring

Once the floor is prepared, you can begin applying the primer. It will help increase the level of adhesion of the paint to the base. After it dries, start applying paint. It is permissible to dilute it with a solvent beforehand if it is too thick.

We have prepared some practical tips on how to properly apply the coloring composition:

start painting from the corner, moving along the direction of the lamellas;
rub the paint in, painting the cracks well;
do not apply too thick a layer. It is better to paint the laminate twice, allowing the previous layer to dry;
After completing the painting procedure, allow the floor to dry for at least 24 hours. Then apply a second coat.

Note! After painting, you should not walk on the floor. Otherwise, specks or debris may stick to the coating. After the paint has dried, the floor can be varnished. In this case, you will additionally protect the surface and give it a glossy shine.

Final touches

Once painting is complete, you won't have to do anything else. The main thing is to dry the floor well, and then try not to move heavy objects on it. It is also not recommended to walk on surfaces in heels. They can leave unsightly dents.

Natural wax

Natural wax, which is applied to the locks on both sides, will help provide protection from moisture. The product is used as a water-repellent impregnation, simplifies the installation of laminate flooring, makes connections more durable, and prevents the lamellas from creaking during operation.

You need to work with wax as follows:

If the material is hard, melt it in a water bath.
Apply the product to the joints with a thin brush. Leave for a while.
Remove excess with a soft cloth or plastic knife.

It is prohibited to apply wax to the entire surface of the laminate. This leads to the destruction of the protective layer, the appearance of stains and smudges.

Use of wax compounds

Every master will say that the most “dangerous” places that are subject to changes during operation are the locking joints or, more simply, the joints between the slats. Moisture and other laminate irritants easily get into these places. They can enter not only from the outside, but also from the side of the concrete floor in the form of condensation.

Liquid wax can solve this problem. It is only worth paying attention to the fact that the application should be made only on the interlocking joints themselves, and not on the laminate itself. There are certain tasks that a wax composition can handle:

No squeaks during operation when walking.
The strength of the locking joints increases and helps reduce the level of deformation under external loads. This may be the location of the furniture on the slats themselves, its movement, etc.
The wax composition will help greatly during installation. Laying laminate flooring can be done faster and with better quality.

The easiest way is to purchase a wax composition and process the lamellas yourself. The finished version of the laminate will cost much more, which will not be very good for a budget version. At the same time, it is best to carefully inspect the material itself before purchasing.

It is worth noting that under no circumstances should the laminate itself be treated with wax, as this will only damage the protective layer of the floor covering. The manufacturers themselves also do not do this for the stated reason.

You should work with wax compositions carefully and there are certain rules for this. All of them are usually prescribed on the packaging of the product. Each composition requires special conditions of use.

To apply liquid or paste wax, use a regular brush. The castle is completely covered except for the presence of certain areas with protective elements. In this case, it is best to complete all work before installation.

Rating TOP 7 best parquet varnishes

Almost half of buyers prefer varnishes that cover parquet with a protective layer, since they do their job more efficiently than oils and provide protection longer. You will learn about the best and most frequently purchased varnishes from our rating, in which the following took part:

EUROTEX.
TEX Pro.
V.G.T.
Dulux Diamond Glaze.
Tikkurila.
Parade.
Dulux.

Let's take a closer look at the tools presented.

EUROTEX

The manufacturers took good care of the product, thanks to which it passed the required tests before being released onto store shelves. The coating dries quickly enough, while ensuring long-term resistance of the material to water and irritants. Yacht varnish can be used as a primary coating on decks and other outdoor areas.

Diluent	water
Service time	10 years
Weight	2.5 kg
Shine	semi-gloss

pros

durable and does not allow water to enter;
does not contain organic solvents;
no pungent or unpleasant odor;
dries in 10-15 minutes.

Minuses

ends quickly.

Price: from 400 to 850 rubles.

construction varnish EUROTEX

I used this varnish as the main coating in the hall two years ago. While working, there were some minor difficulties with the liquid consistency. For a long time it spilled and stained my clothes. I liked the result: the floor shines and shimmers in a beautiful color. Based on reviews, I am confident that I will not renew or repaint the varnish during this year, since it does not fade or change its shape under the influence of heavy and massive objects.

TEX Pro

The most popular product in our country is varnish from the Tex company. It provides protection to the parquet for a long time. Prevents contact with water and harmful insects. During creation, an acrylic base was chosen, so the varnish can be diluted with water for more economical use.

Required air humidity	80%
Shine	glossy
Volume	2.5 l

pros

you can use detergents;
creates a film thanks to which the parquet “breathes”;
sold in many stores, the search will not be difficult;
easy application.

Minuses

in some cases the layers are not smooth, but this factor depends on the quality of the application;
unpleasant and pungent odor.

Price: from 650 to 1,200 rubles.

construction varnish TEX

Before work, you will have to shake the jar thoroughly so that the layers are mixed. In principle, I was satisfied with the product: it applies smoothly, is quite thick and does not drip from the brush, I don’t have to wait about an hour, 20 minutes is enough for it to dry completely.

VGT

Supplied in large quantities to many parts of Russia. It is very popular among construction organizations due to its versatility: it is suitable for use in any climatic conditions, which means it can withstand high temperature changes. It is worth noting that the varnish can be used as a coating for wooden furniture, thanks to its acrylic base.

Packing	1-9 kg
Best before date	18 months
Freezing cycles	no more than 5

pros

creates a protective film that does not wear off over time;
no pungent odor;
has no color and is suitable for use on any surface.

Minuses

sticky;
dries in about an hour.

Price: from 350 to 700 rubles.

construction varnish VGT

I repaint the parquet every year. I do this to update the brightness and color. I have been buying this for a very long time, even before the house was renovated. A convenient thing to use is the ductility of the substance. It does not drip or stain objects around, ensuring a convenient working process.

Dulux Diamond Glaze

The Lakra company, which existed back in Russian times, still produces varnishes and provides a wide range of options. There are two varieties of this product - acrylic-based and water-based varnish. During application, a protective film is formed on the surface, preventing the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays.

Weight	0.9 kg
Object type	dry rooms
The basis	acrylic-urethane

pros

no unpleasant odor;
dries within 15 minutes;
accessible to different types of buyers;
Provides protection from ultraviolet rays.

Minuses

Sticky product is difficult to wash off.

Price: from 480 – 650 rubles.

construction varnish Dulux Diamond Glaze

I recently worked with varnish, and I can adequately describe its effect. It lays down smoothly, without having to level or overlap several times. It does not have any strong odor and I can work without any problems for an unlimited time. Moreover, the varnish dries in almost 10 minutes with the windows open.

Tikkurila

The product from the Finnish company is known in narrow circles, but this did not stop it from becoming popular and in demand. The main feature that most users take into account is safe use. It is especially important when working in residential premises and in places where large numbers of people gather. It is the presented product that contains this feature.

Volume	2.7 l
Type	finishing
The basis	acrylic

pros

drying time is 20 minutes;
the product can be applied using any tools;
practically does not emit an unpleasant odor;
the color does not deteriorate and remains fresh for 1-2 years.

Minuses

not detected.

Price: from 500 to 690 rubles.

construction varnish Tikkurila

I don’t particularly understand the principles of the action of the varnish, but I can say one thing about the one I used: it applies perfectly and does not cause disgust with its smell. After applying one layer, I waited about 20-30 minutes and applied a second one. There is no tint, the color is purely transparent.

Parade

It combines the most demanded qualities – budget price and safety. Does not emit any poisons and does not contain a pungent or repulsive odor. During drying, it creates a shell that acts as decoration and protection in order to prolong wear resistance.

Weight	2.6 kg
Type	finishing
The basis	acrylic

pros

no smell;
dries within 20 minutes;
availability of a quality and safety certificate;
does not fade;
does not deform when any objects fall.

Minuses

difficult to find in stock.

Price: from 800 to 1,100 rubles.

construction varnish Parade

A good quality product will definitely not let you down in a difficult situation. I am doing renovations with children, I paid a lot of attention to the composition and safety. I used brushes when applying because the product has a thick consistency. Overall, I can't say anything bad. A good varnish that will last for years.

Dulux

The English product is widely supplied to all countries. It is created taking into account modern requirements on an alkyd-urethane base. The drying process creates a durable coating that allows the wood to breathe and provides long-term protection from insects and water.

Volume	2.5 l
Solvent	water
Drying time	2 hours

pros

withstands strong impacts;
the color does not change and remains constant throughout the entire work;
dries within 30 minutes;
does not require additional costs.

Minuses

not detected.

Price: from 400 to 600 rubles.

Dulux construction varnish

I didn’t bother with the choice of varnish, since they are almost the same. While working, I encountered a small defect: the varnish did not adhere, but simply curled up in a heap. I had to do this work myself. The advantages include a beautiful shine and a budget price.