Which Way Does Laminate Flooring Run
Which Way Does Laminate Flooring Run – Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Tried, true, trusted home advice
How to Install Laminate Flooring With the right tools and some basic skills, you can have a brand new floor in a weekend. A step-by-step guide on how to install laminate flooring will guide you through the process.
Which Way Does Laminate Flooring Run
Laminate flooring enables homeowners to achieve the look of wood at a lower cost and is easier to install. In fact, tongue-and-groove or snap-and-click joinery makes laminate flooring installation ideal for the average DIYer. Anyone who is at least moderately handy, has a few basic tools and is able to follow directions can learn how to install laminate flooring.
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Before you get started, there are a few things you need to know about buying and installing laminate flooring. First, you need to calculate the square footage of the room so you know how much product to buy. To do this, multiply the linear footage of the width of the room by the linear footage of the length of the room to find the area, then add 10 percent for errors and waste. Laminate flooring typically comes in boxes of 22 to 24 square feet, so to determine how many boxes you need to buy, divide the area by the square footage in each box plus 10 percent.
After purchasing laminate flooring, open the box and let the product acclimate to the home environment. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours before installing.
Also, understand that even the best laminate flooring products need an underlayment to act as a cushion, support and moisture barrier. For optimal results, purchase the best laminate underlayment possible.
Finally, understand that the condition of the subfloor is important. If the subfloor is uneven or large pieces are missing, these defects must be addressed before installing the subfloor. Laying a few sheets of ¼-inch lauan over the floor should take care of the unevenness, but missing areas of the subfloor may require patching.
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Before tearing up the old flooring, make sure you have the necessary tools and materials for the project. Once you start laying the floor, rushing through the center of the house only causes stress and delays.
Again, plan to buy at least 10 percent more flooring than you need to account for the boards that will be cut for final fitting.
Floors contract and expand as temperature and humidity levels change, so acclimate the flooring to site conditions at least 24 to 48 hours before installation. Lay it flat or stack the boards in the room where they will be installed. Do not forget to remove the flooring from the plastic packaging; Doing so promotes air circulation, which aids the acclimatization process.
Remove the base molding before doing anything else. You can then remove the existing floor, especially if it is damaged or the room has a low ceiling. Working from the edge of one wall, begin carefully lifting the old flooring. Remove nails and staples (or tack strips, if the job involves carpet removal). Clean up debris and inspect the subfloor surface for areas in need of repair.
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If you are installing laminate floors over concrete, installing a vapor barrier is very important. Concrete is porous and will absorb moisture. Your best bet is to seal the floor with a concrete sealer, let it cure, and then install a high-quality underlayment over the concrete before installing the laminate floor.
Some laminate flooring is sold with a preattached foam underlayment (also called a vapor barrier). Otherwise, purchase the underlayment separately and install one strip at a time, starting with the longest wall. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for making butt edges and sealing seams.
Once the underlayment is down, there’s an additional preliminary step to undertake: trimming the door jambs. To accomplish this, lay a plank down so that its edge runs along the jamb. Mark the board and, using a handsaw, cut parallel to the floor, creating a cutout that allows the board to fit neatly under the jamb for a clean, professional look.
The most important line of the entire flooring project is the first one. It should be installed parallel to the longest wall, starting from one corner and working towards the other. Make sure this first row is straight, so subsequent rows will fit properly and look professional.
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Place the grooved first plank against the wall and flush it into a corner of the room. To allow for natural expansion and contraction, place 1/4-inch spacers 12 inches apart between the board and the wall. Install the remainder of the first row, one plank at a time, and align the tongue with the groove, tapping gently for a snug fit. When you reach the end of the row, use a pull bar to help tap that last plank firmly into position.
After completing the first row, go forward one plank at a time, aligning the tongues with the grooves. Use a flooring cutter to cut the first and last piece of each row as needed. Gently tap each plank into place with a hammer and tapping block. Be careful not to hammer too hard as this may damage the laminate surface or tongue.
For a lasting, attractive installation, be sure to stagger the end joints of adjacent boards by at least 6 inches. It also prevents the floor from separating and keeps adjacent seams from buckling.
Installing the end plank can be a bit of a hassle. It may be necessary to trim the board or at least the tongue to ensure it is flush. Finish the job by placing a threshold where there is a door or where the laminate meets another flooring material. Finally, remove the spacer and reinstall the base molding. Now sit back and admire your handiwork.
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Laminate flooring is a favorite among DIYers. Because it’s light-years better than it was a few decades ago in terms of quality and selection, there’s good reason to like it. Beyond those points, there are other significant benefits of laminate flooring:
With these steps to installing laminate flooring, homeowners can give any space a new look without making a long-term commitment. The techniques required to install laminate flooring are easy to learn and the project goes quickly once the first row is properly installed.
After reading this tutorial on how to install laminate flooring, you may still have some questions about the process. Following are some frequently asked questions about installing laminate floors.
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As a general rule, it is best to start laminate installation with the first row along the longest wall. Place the first board in the corner, keeping a ¼-inch distance from the wall, then continue that row along the wall and to the other corner.
Yes, laminate flooring requires an underlayment layer underneath. The underlayment helps support the floor and creates a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from seeping into the laminate floor. Some laminate flooring products have a built-in underlayment.
Learning how to install laminate flooring is easy, and this popular DIY upgrade can have a big impact on the look of a room. Laminate flooring requires no nails or adhesives, and the planks are easy to install and adjust as needed. Just be sure to tap the seam snug and leave a gap around the edge of the floor.
It is best to let laminate flooring float over the subfloor or existing floor, but there are some products that can be glued down. Be careful that the adhesive will damage the existing floor, so it is best to avoid this method when installing laminate plank flooring in apartments or other places where the floor must be tempo
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After laying the laminate floors, you can walk on them immediately. There are no glues or other adhesives holding the floor down, so it’s ready to go as soon as the project is complete.
Laminate flooring cutter is the best product for cutting laminate flooring. These tools easily cut through flooring and produce clean, precise cuts. However, in some cases you can also use a handsaw, miter saw, or utility knife. How to lay laminate on a door continuously and without any awkward looking gaps! Laying laminate in doorways where two rooms meet, tiling them around the door jamb
During the flooring installation, laying laminate in the door is not that difficult when you start laying the floor boards on the wall where the door is. But, when the last few floorboards of your laminate floor have to be inserted under the door jamb or through the door lining or door frame, it seems impossible to get in without leaving any visible gaps!
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