Used as a cheaper alternative to hardwood flooring, laminate floors are a mixture of resin and other ingredients applied over an image of wood. Although sealing the new floors is an option for laminate owners, it's not recommended. Laminate flooring is designed to withstand scratches and pressure on its own; therefore, adding coats and sealants may void the warranty, cause additional problems or easily flake off.
Temporary Sealing
Temporary sealing can be applied with the use of a laminator restoration product. These products contain diethylene glycol and dipropylene glycol to add a protective coating to the surface of the laminate. These coatings will last for several months with proper care. The coating is applied to a clean, unscratched floor. The sealant is mopped onto the floor (typically in two to four applications) and dries within 2 hours. Resisting water and scratches, the sealant is best used in high traffic areas. Other forms of temporary sealants are sold at home supply stores, usually classified as floor finishers or floor wax. However, real wax finishes should not be used on laminate floors.
Crack Sealing
If you do not want to seal the entire floor, but still want to have protection against water seeping into the cracks, a crack sealer is for you. A laminate crack sealer is designed to fit between the cracks between laminate tiles or boards, creating a waterproof barrier and helping to keep laminate tiles from buckling or warping. Apply sealant by taking a putty knife and placing some sealant in between the cracks in the laminate floor. Allow sealant to sink into the cracks, and wipe the remaining sealant away with a slightly damp cloth. Leave floor alone for 24 hours before cleaning again.
Long-Lasting Sealing
One final option that can be used to seal a laminate floor is a polyurethane coating. These plastic, resin coatings are sometimes added to the surface of laminate floors to add permanent protection from moisture and scratches. However, polyurethane coatings are not originally designed for laminate use; therefore, they may not hold to the surface as well as they would for other forms of flooring. Apply this coating with a special mop, allow it to dry two to three hours between coats. The floor must cure for 48 hours before it is safe to return to normal use. A water-based coating is better than an oil-based for laminate floors.
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