You might be surprised to find out that laminate flooring could always be glammed up with whitewashing, this is also a terrific method to enhance the interior style of your home. If you want to give your laminate flooring a rustic character, whitewashing can be the solution. To give it that laid-back coastal air, many other homeowners may paint certain surfaces white. Intrigued enough? Now before you go ahead and get your hands on those laminate floors of yours, you should keep in mind that we should all know what we are doing if we are a first timer. In this post, we will unravel the answers to all the questions you need to know if you want to learn how to whitewash laminate flooring.

 

What does whitewash do?

 

There has long been a practice known as whitewashing. Whitewashing was once used to shield wood from moisture, mold, and mildew. To preserve their farmhouse from the weather all year long, homeowners would whitewash the wood surrounding their property.

 

It's like painting wood, really. Whitewashing is the application of lime and water in place of paint. Lime is mold and mildew resistant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial. Once combined, it can be applied directly to wood, generating a smooth-applying chalky white liquid.

 

Whitewash laminate floors are frequently found in colonial or coastal homes. Nordic design is also known for its use of the bleached appearance.

 

Whitewashing is so well-liked because it gives any space an airy, bright aspect. Furthermore, it will be the perfect solution if you're attempting to open up space and make your house seem larger than it is.

 

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of whitewashing your laminate floor?

 

A low-cost way to enhance the exterior appearance of laminate floors by softly adding lightness is to whitewash them. As a result, a room appears more spacious and shinier. In addition, you can easily give your laminate floor a Nordic feel by meticulously whitewashing it.

 

Overall, whitewash laminate floors is a reasonably straightforward method, but upkeep requires more effort. Whitewash appears to show scratch scars particularly clearly as it ages and ages.

 

This would not be the ideal solution for families with pets and kids because you would need to recoat more frequently to keep the finish looking great. Moreover, you should only bleach the areas that see less foot traffic.

 

How many steps are there to whitewash the laminate floor?

 

Although whitewashing laminate floors is not difficult, it takes time. If you don't know how to accomplish it, you risk getting unsatisfactory outcomes. Therefore, you should follow these steps carefully to avoid any unwanted results.

 

Step 1: Prepare the laminate floor

 

First and foremost, clean up the floor. Remove all the furniture and items from it to achieve this. Finally, sanitize the laminate floors. Cleaning them will get rid of the grime, dust, and debris on the floor. The end product won't be good if the floor is dirty. This is so that dirt won't interfere with the whitewash or paint you apply. Cleaning flooring also makes it possible to discover dented or damaged areas that require repair. To avoid spillage on the foundation walls or trim, you must tape the bottom walls with two pieces of painter's tape.

 

Step 2: Sand the laminate floor

 

Sand the boards once they have been cleaned and dried. Sanding leaves the floor smooth and free of flaws, making it easier for the primer and finish to adhere. Use a floor or orbital sander and fine-grit sandpaper to sand laminate planks.

 

Step 3: Apply a coat of primer

 

Apply primer to the planks for a finer finish. Apply one coat of latex primer with a paint roller to laminate planks.

 

Step 4: Prepare the whitewash mixture

 

By whitewashing laminate floors, you can get two different looks: a genuine rustic appearance and a rustic-like appearance.

 

Use a combination of lime powder, table salt, and warm water if you want to go for a truly rustic effect. To use, combine two cups of water, two cups of lime juice, and two cups of salt. In a sizable basin, stir the ingredients. If the mixture seems too thick, add more water.

 

On a different note, apply two coats of off-white latex paint to the laminate for a rustic-looking appearance. Do remember to stir the paint before using it.

 

Step 5: Apply and seal the whitewash

 

Using a brush or roller, cover the planks with the mixture. Seal it when the whitewash covering has dried. The finish will be shielded by a sealer from moisture, water, scratches, and other harm. In order to seal it, you should

• Use water-based latex varnish.
• Use a paint roller to apply two light layers of sealant.
• Apply the subsequent application once the initial coat has dried.

Sealing is not necessary if you use paint but it does help. You can take pleasure in that rustic aspect once the sealant has dried.

 

How different is painting from whitewashing a laminate floor?

 

Painting and whitewashing are very distinct, despite some similarities in appearance and purpose. First off, the list of ingredients for whitewash is fairly simple and typically only includes lime, salt, and warm water. The materials for paint include pigment, solvent, additives, and resin, among many other things.

 

Moreover, the final shade differs. When utilized, whitewash has a timeless white hue that offers a rustic appearance. You will need to add dye individually if you wish to alter this hue. On the other hand, paint is produced using a variety of colored pigments, so you can choose the color you want with ease.

 

Whitewash prevails in terms of maintenance. Paint frequently peels, chips, ages, and sustains other damage. On the contrary, whitewash is simple to maintain and won't chip or peel. The bulk of paint formulations contain a number of hazardous chemicals. These ingredients not only endanger the environment, but also your family's health. Whitewash doesn't have these hazards because it is manufactured with minimal chemicals. Paint traps moisture, which when it freezes can lead to fractures in stonework. Whitewash prevents this from taking place.

 

Can I lighten laminate flooring using alternative ways?

 

Yes you can and there are two different methods you can try out when it comes to how to lighten laminate flooring

 

1/ By applying flat off-white paint

 

Use an off-white flat paint, such as chalk, to create a whitewashed rustic look. A flat paint that dries quickly and has an antique appearance is chalk. Your flooring will appear whitewashed if you apply chalk paint in an off-white tint. Nevertheless, chalk paint needs to be sealed because it isn't strong enough to last.

 

2/ Making Use of Clorox Bleach

 

Using Clorox bleach and warm water will also help a laminate floor look lighter. Combine 3 tablespoons of bleach with 1/2 gallon of warm water to accomplish this. You'll end up with a thin slurry that you may use to clean the laminate planks. You can use the bleach combination to clean the planks twice before letting the laminate floor air dry. The bleach will lighten and fade the laminate boards.

 

 

How to maintain whitewash laminate flooring?

 

Whitewashed laminate flooring requires the same upkeep as irregular floors. The sole distinction is that, compared to standard brown laminate, whitewashed floors are more likely to show dirt and stains.

 

You must clean the planks more often because they show stains and grime more. Moreover, whitewashed planks will display darker stains or blemishes more prominently than plain brown planks.

 

Regular cleaning won't get rid of the white appearance on whitewashed planks. Instead, it will make the boards appear lighter.

With that being said, you should take into consideration some of the Best Mop For Laminate Floors - How To Really Take Care Of Your Dedicated Floor. As there are various and diverse options in the market, we understand it is hard for consumers to know where to begin their search. Don’t worry, we have the solution for you and you can find out all about it on thekinglive.com. We offer detailed posts regarding guides on how to find the best mops for laminate floors and our top recommendations. Guarantee you will not be disappointed !

 

To sum up, whitewashing is a quick and legit technique that can be applied for both functional and just aesthetic purposes. Although it dates back thousands of years, it is still used today to give a property a touch of that timeless beauty. It is feasible to whitewash a laminate floor, as we previously mentioned, but it is crucial for you to learn the rope before jumping head in. We sincerely hope that with our provided answers of above questions, you will find that you can easily perform the process on your own. You can refer to another article of our Learn How To Whitewash Laminate Flooring With 8 Simple Steps You Can Do At Home to help you gain more insights on this matter.