Laminate Flooring

Installing Laminate Flooring

If you’re looking for an effective substitute to replace your existing hardwood flooring, consider choosing high quality laminate flooring. Not only does it look quite similar to hardwood flooring, it doesn’t attract insects which can eventually ruin hardwood flooring. Additionally, this type of flooring offers trouble free installation and replacing a damaged section is much easier to perform.

Laminate flooring installation can be an easy task as long as the proper preparations are made prior to beginning the task. To begin your laminate floor installation process, position the packages of laminate floor boards in their respective room for a minimum of 48 hours. This needs to be done in order for the laminate flooring to adjust to the temperature and moisture levels in the room.
Begin to position the plastic sheets over the sub-flooring where the laminate flooring will be installed. Be sure to use clear tape to hold the plastic sheets together. Do not worry if the plastic overlaps each other, more importantly the whole sub-floor is required to be covered. If the laminate flooring is being installed on a cement floor, make a point of extending the edges of the plastic up the walls an extra inch or two.

Now it’s time to install the foam padding over the plastic sheets. The purpose of the foam padding is to allow the laminate flooring to flex which provides more comfort when walking upon. The foam padding also provides more insulation which keeps the floor at a comfortable temperature. Measure and cut the foam padding, position it in place, and tape it down to the floor. Unlike the plastic floor covering, the foam padding should not overlap.

Laminate Flooring Tips

Using a box cutter knife, begin to open up the laminate floor packages. Be careful not to cut into the laminate flooring. Lay the package down so that the locking ridge of the flooring is facing the wall where you will begin your installation from. To begin, position your first laminate board in the front left corner of the room with the finished side facing upwards. Make sure the side of the board where the ridge is located is facing the wall. Place a spacer that was provided with the laminate floor kit between the left side of the board and the wall. Do the same with the second board, while continuing to lay boards from left to right.

To make sure gaps between each laminate board are eliminated, use the block provided in the kit along with the hammer to carefully tap the edges of each board. Keep tapping until each gap has closed completely. Keep laying boards from left to right until the opposite wall is reached. When beginning a new row, retrieve the remaining piece of laminate board left from the previous row, and start back at the left side wall. With the ridge side facing the front, continue to tilt the back side of the board up until the ridge slides into the groove of the opposing board. Once it slides into place, carefully lower the board flat and tap with the hammer and block to eliminate any gaps.

When starting a new row, keep re-using left over pieces from each previous row. This will ensure that the seams in each row are staggered, making the floor stronger and better looking in appearance. Continue to lay the laminate flooring from top left to right bottom until the floor is completely covered. Be sure to use perimeter spacers as you proceed in order to achieve the best results.