Why Should I Install Laminate Flooring?
Are you seeking information about the best way to install laminate flooring for your home?
This guide has been created to give you all you need to know about installing laminate flooring and the steps to be followed and a complete list of the equipment and materials required for the job.
There are a variety of reasons you should consider installing laminate flooring. If your flooring is beginning to look old and worn and worn, it might be beneficial to look into changing into laminate floors.
Below is a list of advantages of laminate flooring for your home:
- It’s simple to set up.
- It is water and scratch-resistant.
- It’s simple to maintain and clean.
- There are a variety of styles and colours to choose from.
How to Lay Laminate Flooring Yourself
This step-by-step guide will help you on how to install laminate flooring. Be aware that every brand of laminate flooring has its own distinct characteristics So you’ll have to read the instructions of the manufacturer to ensure that you have installed it properly.
Step 1
Start by laying out your design. Flooring made of laminate can be installed horizontally or vertically. place some pieces out to determine which one you like best.
Make sure to plan your layout so your final board is at least 60mm wide. Make adjustments to how wide your initial row is as needed. Be sure to include an expansion gap of 12mm at the opposite end in the space.
Step 2
If you’re planning to install the laminate on the door frame, begin by removing the door, and then lining up an underlay cutoff and a floorboard along the architrave.
Utilize a panel saw reduces the architrave’s level. Remove enough beneath of the architrave to ensure that the laminate can be able to slide underneath it.
Step 3
The majority of manufacturers recommend that you lay an underlay of fibreboard or foam prior to installing laminate flooring. It should be laid perpendicular with the laminate.
Step 4
When the underlay is installed, begin at the left side of the wall, where the door is located and place your first laminate floor, with their tongue edges against walls.
The board should be moved to the left so that you can place spacers between it and the walls.
Step 5
The next board should be placed at the top of the previous one, and press it down until it clicks in place. Make sure you keep the gap of expansion along the wall with spacers.
Step 6
Continue the process up the wall until you are unable to lay more boards. Make sure that the board line is straight.
Step 7
To complete the gap that is left at the end of the board, lay a complete one across the previously laid boards. Flip the board’s end over end, so that it’s upside down, with the groove edge facing you and the opposite end which is now touching an edge of the wall.
Draw a straight cutting guideline in line with the top of the piece it’s close to. Make sure the board is securely secured to your work surface and make the cut you need to. The board can be laid out in exactly the same manner as the other pieces to fill in the space at the bottom.
Step 8
If the cut is not more than 300mm long, you can use it to begin the next row from the same place you began the first row.
Lay the boards on top of each other and press them into position in the row they’re adjacent to, but be certain with the spacers that are left at the wall. Be sure that the joints between boards on different rows are off by a minimum of 300mm.
Step 9
After your second row has been set It’s now time to fill in the space between the previous row and door. Begin by measuring the distance between the outside edge of the architrave and each side.
Then, take a measurement of the distance between your first and second row. Record these measurements on the board and cut it in accordance with the measurements. Make sure you leave an expansion gap of 12mm towards the top.
Then, you can lay the cut board on top of the architrave. Mark where you’ll have to cut the ends so that it can be inserted. Cut along the lines and then slide the two rows of the board away from the doorway, so that you can place the door or pieces.
Step 10
It is then possible to attach this piece to the previous row and press it in its place. After that you can continue to lay floors of the laminate, while making sure to leave a between the walls.
Step 11
When you reach the final row, you may have to cut the board to ensure they are able to fit. Mark and measure the boards in a way that you remember to leave a 12mm space to allow expansion. Cut the boards according to the measurements, and then put the last row in the appropriate position.
As we mentioned, different types of laminate flooring could be installed in different ways or locked together in a different manner. Always make sure you read the directions of the manufacturer prior to going into the work.
Tools to Lay Laminate Flooring
Below is a list of the tools you’ll need for laying laminate flooring:
- Tape measures
- Pencil
- Fine-toothed panel saw
- Jig saw
- Flooring spacers
- Clamps
- Workbench
- Combination square
- Chisel
- Hammer
- Straight edge or metal ruler
- Retractable knife
- Drill
- Drill bit for wood 32mm.
- Mitre box
- Plane
Safety Equipment to Lay Laminate Flooring
It is recommended to use the follow the following safety equipment requirements for the installation of laminate flooring:
- Safety goggles
- Dust mask
- Knee pads
Materials to Lay Laminate Flooring
The following are the supplies you’ll require to put in laminate flooring:
- Laminate floor
- Membrane or underlay
- Trim for flooring
- Get the adhesive
- Panel pins
- Pipe surrounds
- Threshold bar
- Felt furniture pads
How to Prepare for Laying a Laminate Floor
In order to prepare for the installation of laminate flooring, you’ll have to start by clearing the room of furniture and obstructions. Take away the flooring you have and sweep the floor to ensure it’s spotless prior to the installation.
It is also important to check for nails that protrude or uneven floors since these need to be corrected prior to installation.
Also, be sure to inspect the floor for any dampness prior to beginning working. It is also necessary to stack the unopened pieces of flooring in the space where they’ll be laid for a minimum of 48 hours.
Types of Laminate Flooring
There are two primary kinds of laminate floors. Here is a brief description of the two types:
Plastic Laminate
Laminate flooring is entirely man-made and involves printing images on the floor, which is usually designed to mimic the look of real wood.
Then there’s an additional layer of protection placed on top of the print to shield the print. Laminate flooring looks much like real wood, but the majority of people will be able to tell a fake wood flooring by a closer inspection.
Engineered Wood Laminate
Engineered wood laminates tend to be more expensive in cost than laminate made of plastic. But, if it is treated properly the laminate can last longer.
It is a far more realistic replica of wood. It was made by bonding a layer of hardwood to the plywood substrate. This gives it the look of solid flooring, but without the price.
FAQs
Q: How do you clean laminate flooring?
A: You can clean most laminate flooring types with a mixture of water and vinegar. Use a slightly damp mop and try not to make the floor too wet.
For any small spills, simply use a damp cloth and wipe up the residue immediately. Keep the floors free from dust and dirt by sweeping regularly.
Q: How do you lay laminate flooring around a pipe?
A: Follow the steps below to lay laminate flooring around a pipe:
- Measure and cut the board as normal as if the pipe wasn’t there.
- Lay the board to the side of the pipe and use a tri-square to draw a line on the board to show the location of the pipe’s centre.
- Then, move the board, so it’s at the front of the pipe and draw a line where the centre of the pipe is. Where the two lines intersect is where the pipe will be positioned.
- Secure the board with clamps and use a drill with a 2mm flat wood drill bit to drill a hole where the two lines intersect.
- Using a straight edge, draw a pair of lines from the edges of the hole to the edge of the board, each at a slight outward angle.
- Cut along these lines with a jig saw, or panel saw.
- Fit the board into position and then apply adhesive to the offcut and slide it into position.
- Hide the expansion gap with a radiator pipe surround. Simply apply adhesive to lock this in place.
Q: How do you fit a threshold bar?
A: Be sure to choose a threshold bar that is suitable for your flooring. Measure the width of the doorframe and allow an expansion gap on both sides.
Then, cut the threshold bar to size. Then, secure the threshold bar as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Q: How do you fit flooring trim?
A: Remove the spacers and cut down any membrane as needed. Then, measure to see what size of flooring trims you will need.
Use a mitre box and saw to make 45-degree angle cuts at the ends of the trim that will fit into the corner joints.
Use grab adhesive to fix the flooring trim to the skirting. Don’t fix the trim to the laminate floor, as this will prevent expansion.
Q: What is the best laminate floor type?
A: This will depend on your personal preference. Laminate floors come in several different styles, and every person has their own taste.
It’s best to shop around a little bit before committing to a laminate floor so you can be sure you find one that you love.
