Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring.
Friday, July 15th, 2011There are different types of floors that you can install but you should think about installing laminate flooring. If you have not heard of this type of floor, this is the right time to learn more about it since it is one of the latest trends in home decorating and interior designing. This type of flooring replaces traditional floors like wood, carpet, or tiles because of several reasons. Laminates are cheap alternative to wooden floors that are normally very expensive. They closely resemble wood, though this flooring is made up of compacted paper covered with strong film on the surface to prevent the paper from absorbing moisture and becoming damaged.
You can hire a professional installer who can do the job for you but you need to pay for the service. If you want to save money, you can always do the installation yourself. Just make sure that you follow the tips mentioned in the paragraphs below.
- You have to have the necessary tools and equipment for installing laminate flooring. You need to prepare a powerful compound miter saw, tape measure, chalk, molding and trims, underlayment, and the laminates. If you do not have miter saw at home, you can always rent one from your local tool and equipment rental shop. Most of the products in the list are included in the laminate package.
- Read the instructions included in the package carefully to know the steps that you need to do. Read the whole instructions before proceeding to ensure that you fully understand the steps. If there are technical terms that you do not understand, you can always search for them on the internet. Incorrect understanding of a word or sentence could lead to disaster. If you are not sure about something, you can also ask the help of another person to interpret the instruction.
- Before installing, you have to leave the laminates in the room where they will be installed for acclimatization. It is important to let the laminates get used to the temperature of the environment before installation. And even after acclimatization, you still need to leave 10mm gaps in between the laminate planks to make room for expansion due to heat or humidity. The minimum number of days for laminate acclimatization is two days.
- You need to install moldings or trims to give the flooring a more finished look. You install the molding or trim where the laminate floor and walls meet to hide gaps and bare edges. It would also serve as the flooring’s border.
- You also need to install underlayment made of polyethylene before installing the laminates. Underlayment aids in soundproofing the laminates and prevents the moisture from seeping into the bottom part of the laminate floor. This is especially useful if you are installing laminates over concrete floor. More often than not, this item is already included in the laminate package or you can buy it separately for about $13.
These tips for installing laminates will ensure great looking laminate flooring that will enhance the overall appearance of your home.