Laminate home flooring is widely used today because it is more or less impervious to wear and tear, is cheaper than other forms of home flooring, and can be installed by an average homeowner. If you have to work on some home improvement project, be it a simple project like changing the flooring of your house, it is crucial to know some of the best practices for laying down laminate flooring.
In this article, you will learn the essential tools that are required for laying laminate flooring and a few steps on how to go about it.
Tools Needed for Installing Laminate Flooring
Before diving into the installation process, let’s first take a look at the essential tools required for installing laminate flooring:
- Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are crucial when it comes to installing laminate flooring. A measuring tape will help you determine the dimensions of the room and calculate the amount of laminate flooring needed.
- Underlayment: An underlayment is a thin layer of material that is placed between the subfloor and the laminate planks. It helps to reduce noise, provides insulation, and serves as a moisture barrier.
- Spacers: Spacers are small wedges or blocks that create an expansion gap between the laminate planks and the walls or other fixed objects in the room. This gap allows the flooring to expand and contract with temperature changes.
- Circular Saw or Miter Saw: A circular saw or miter saw is used for cutting the laminate planks to size. These power tools ensure clean and precise cuts, especially when dealing with angled or intricate areas.
- Pull Bar: A pull bar is used to tap the laminate planks into place during installation. It helps create a tight fit between the planks without causing any damage.
- Hammer and Rubber Mallet: Both a hammer and rubber mallet are handy tools for adjusting the position of the laminate planks or gently tapping them into alignment.
- Utility Knife: A utility knife is useful for trimming the underlayment or making small cuts on the laminate planks.
- Crowbar: In case you need to remove existing flooring or baseboards, a crowbar can come in handy.
- Safety Gear: Don’t forget to prioritize safety! Wear protective goggles, gloves, and knee pads when working with power tools or kneeling on the floor.
Having these tools readily available before starting your laminate flooring installation will save you time and frustration during the process.
Steps to Follow for Installing Laminate Flooring
Now that we have covered the essential tools, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of installing laminate flooring:
1. Prepare the room.
- Remove any existing carpet, tiles, or baseboards from the room. Ensure that the subfloor is clean, smooth, and free from any debris.
- If needed, install a moisture barrier over concrete subfloors to prevent any potential water damage.
2. Acclimate the laminated planks.
- Allow the laminate planks to acclimate in the room for at least 48 hours before installation. This step is crucial as it allows the flooring to adjust to the temperature and humidity levels of the space.
3. Install the underlayment.
- Roll out the underlayment across the entire floor area, ensuring that it overlaps slightly at the seams. Use duct tape or adhesive to secure any loose edges.
- Trim off excess underlayment around doorways or edges using a utility knife.
4. Plan your layout.
- Start planning your layout by determining which direction you want the laminate planks to run. It’s generally recommended to install them parallel to the longest wall in the room for visual appeal.
- Measure and mark guidelines on the subfloor using a chalk line or pencil to ensure straight and even rows of planks.
- Remember to account for the expansion gap by using spacers along the walls.
5. Cut and install the laminate planks.
- Measure and cut the first row of laminate planks to fit against the starting wall, leaving a 1/4-inch gap for expansion.
- Use a pull bar and rubber mallet to connect the planks together, ensuring a snug fit.
- Continue installing subsequent rows of planks, using the cut-off piece from the previous row to start the next one. Stagger the joints between planks for added stability.
- Trim the last row of planks to size using a circular saw or miter saw, accounting for the expansion gap.
6. Complete the installation.
- Once all the laminate planks are installed, remove any spacers and install baseboards or trim to cover the expansion gap.
- Give the flooring a final inspection, checking for any loose or uneven areas. Use a tapping block and hammer if needed to secure any loose planks.
So, that is all the information that you wanted regarding the installation of laminate flooring. I want to emphasize that it is very possible to get that professional result without making the hole in the pocket.
So why wait? You can now choose to change your interior look with our fine laminate flooring.
