Is there any way to stain or darken a laminated floor?

Question

We have a very light colored laminated floor that has seen better days. I thought it was dirty but realized it is just plain worn. I know laminate is simply glorified contact paper (LOL) but hope there is some way to turn this blonde into a brunette floor since it is a huge area and financially unfeasible to replace.

Lisa · Answer

Laminated flooring is plastic like a laminate countertop.

It is not like contact paper

yoi can treat similar to some techniqies seen on hometalk.com

it just needs to have several coats of poly due to foot traffic

Fix It Jen · Answer

Try a gel stain, or a tinted polyurethane product (I like PolyShades, found at Home Depo). And coat with extra polyurethane or polycrylic coats over it for durability

William · Answer

It is not plastic laminate like countertops. It is a thin wood veneer sealed with a silicate resin over compressed wood substrate. You can stain it darker using gel stain.