Made to Last: The Laminate Flooring Warranty

Being one of the more durable flooring options in the market, laminate flooring has the one of the best range of warranty offerings in the flooring industry. Most laminate flooring brands carry a 15-year warranty for residential use, but some brands come with a lifetime warranty.

It is important to note that a laminate flooring warranty as such is valid only for manufacturer's defects. In order for the warranty to be valid, one must follow the manufacturer's maintenance and installation instructions. Take note of the area where your laminate flooring is going to be installed and make sure that particular flooring is suited for the room. If damage occurs to the laminate flooring even after following these guidelines and with normal use of the floor, then you can have the defective parts replaced by the manufacturer at little or no cost, depending on the warranty agreement itself.

Please also remember that laminate flooring warranties do not typically cover scratches on the flooring surface. However, it does cover stains fading, premature wearing, and possibly accidental moisture damage. There are a number of exclusions from laminate flooring warranties, however, and it is best to clarify these points before purchase. Typical warranty exclusions include:

• Accidents, abuse or misuse

• Exposing laminate flooring to extreme heat or cold

• Scratches, impacts, or cutting

• Installations not carried out as per the manufacturer's installation instructions

• Improper workmanship

• Improper maintenance

• Improper fabrication

• Damages through acts of god

• Material damaged in transit (talk to seller to discuss allowable damage and liability issues)

• Seams of glueless planks moving apart because they have been engaged/disengaged more than three times

• Water damage due to excessive moisture within a concrete slab, hydrostatic pressure, flooding caused by ice makers, refrigerators, sinks, dishwashers, leaking pipes, flooding, standing water, household mechanical failures; damage caused by water underneath the laminate flooring, including damage from sub-floor hydrostatic pressure or other conditions that result in water being below the laminate flooring or natural disasters

• Installation of laminate flooring that contains any manufacturing defect is not covered by a laminate flooring warranty. Manufacturing defects should be reported to the manufacturer before installation, soon after the date of purchase, and the defective items will be replaced ready for installation.

When making a claim on your laminate flooring warranty, make sure that you have kept all relevant information on hand. This can be the sales receipt or the contractor's invoice. It may also be possible to provide proof that only the recommended laminate flooring accessories were used to install your laminate floor. Upon discovery of defective laminate flooring at the time of delivery, make sure to note all such damages on the shipper's paperwork. Take pictures of the damaged flooring, keep all packaging, and contact your seller as soon as possible.