Laminate flooring is designed to be similar with the natural colour, feel and texture of a real hardwood. It is highly durable and is resistant to scratches, staining, and wear and tear. Laminate Installation enables homeowners to feel that they get wood floor for a less price. However, Laminate Floors are very easy to DIY and to maintain, but if you want to DIY, it is recommended to buy some basic tools and to follow the below instructions for easy installation.
Materials needed:
- Laminate flooring
- Vapour barrier paper
- Glue
- Underlayment
Tools Needed:
- Measuring tape
- Hand saw
- Coping saw
- Tapping block
- Paring knife
- Spacers
- Pry bar
- Safety glasses
- Chalk line
- Hammer
- Pencil
- Utility knife
Laminate Installation:
Cleaning the Sub floor:
- Firstly, wash the sub floor thoroughly to make sure that it is free from debris and dirt. If you are installing on a concrete floor, please wait till the floor is free from moisture and fully cured.
Buying Laminate:
- Now, Measure the square footage of the area you wanted to install.
- Plan to Purchase the laminate, preferably opt for the Mohawk Laminate Flooring from the best Laminate Flooring store.
- Make sure to buy laminate more than the actual requirement, because the board will be cut for the end fittings.
Remove Base Mouldings:
- If it is required, carefully take off all the base mouldings with the use of a hammer and pry bar and store it for further use.
Installing the Vapour Barrier:
- Begin installing the vapour barrier to the selected area from the longest of the walls.
- When combining two barrier sheets together, make sure to follow manufacturer's instructions.
- Trimming the Door Jambs:
- Firstly, lay the Laminate tile board over the sub floor and exactly opposite to the door jambs.
- If necessary use a coping saw or hand saw to cut the door jambs parallel to the floor.
Install the Laminate floor:
- Lay the planks parallel with the longest wall of the selected room by facing grooves towards the wall.
- Now, Place the spacers opposite to the wall, because these spaces can provide an expansion space for the floor to contract and expand without warping.
- Later, this expansion gap will be covered with the base moulding.
- Now, proceed to place the next plank by coordinating the tongues to grooves by gently tapping them to fit snugly.
Finish up:
- Finally, last plank needs an extra effort. It is recommended to trim the board to ensure that it fits correctly.
- Once the Laminate Installation is done, make sure to remove the spacers you kept in and re-install the base mouldings.
Follow few do’s and don’ts while installing laminate:
Do’s:
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully if you are unsure about the installation.
- Before installing, make sure to inspect the boards for any defects.
- Leave some space between the floors to allow it to expand and contract during the temperature changes.
- Store some extra boards for any minor repairs.
Don’ts:
- Laminate Installation should not be done in the wet areas like laundry room and bathrooms.
- Do not hammer on the Laminate Flooring directly as they can break.
- Do not install Laminate Flooring over the carpet.
- Do not seal or treat your floors after Laminate Installation.