Laminate's surface is genuinely tough — it resists scratches better than real wood and most vinyl. The weakness is underneath: an HDF core that behaves like a biscuit if water reaches it.
We still fit it, because in a dry bedroom it is excellent value. We just tell customers plainly where it will fail.
Specification
| Core | HDF fibreboard — not water resistant |
|---|---|
| Surface | Melamine wear layer, AC3–AC5 rating |
| Fixing | Floating click, over underlay |
| Avoid in | Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry, entrances |
| Best rooms | Bedrooms, majlis, offices, dry living rooms |
| Install speed | 1–2 days for an apartment |
| Supplied and installed from | QAR 70 per sqm |
Why people choose it
- Very scratch resistant surface for the price
- Wide choice of realistic timber prints
- Floating install, so no adhesive and fast fitting
- Honest limit: keep it out of wet rooms
Frequently asked questions
Why do you steer people away from laminate?
Because most Qatari homes have at least one leak event in a decade — a washing machine, an AC drain, a burst filter. SPC survives it; laminate has to be lifted and thrown away.
Is water-resistant laminate worth it?
It buys you hours, not years. If water sits on a seam overnight the core still swells. For genuinely wet areas choose SPC or vinyl.
Can laminate be used with underfloor heating?
Yes, with a compatible underlay and a controlled surface temperature limit, though SPC handles heat cycling better.
Get a price for Laminate flooring
Send the room count and we reply the same working day with a price and the next free measurement slot. No charge, no obligation.