How to install laminate flooring?

To install laminate flooring, start by clearing away all furniture in the room where the flooring will be installed. You should also tear up any carpeting in the room and remove any remaining tape. Next, cut the backing strips and lay the strips on the bare floor. The mats will give you a flat, smooth surface on which to install the laminate flooring.

If you are installing laminate flooring underground or in a room prone to high humidity and wet conditions, you should also install a moisture barrier to protect the floor from moisture. After installing the mats, install ⅜-inch (0.95 cm) spacers along each wall.

How to install laminate flooring easily

It is important to leave a gap between the floor and the wall to allow for expansion and contraction of the plank area. Next, lay a row of laminate parallel to the longest wall in the room and measure how much of the last plank you need to cut to fit. Cut the last plank with a jigsaw.

Hold the end of the cutting board as this will start the next row. Starting the row with different sized planks creates an offset look that actually makes laminate floors stronger. Place the first plank next to one of the walls in the corner, then fit the end to the next plank in the row with the built-in tongue and groove. Continue laying this row of planks until you reach the other side of the room.

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Then, start at the end of the plank you cut earlier and move on to the next row. Fit the nails on the long edges of the second row of planks into the grooves in the first row. When you get to the end of the second row, measure how much needs to be cut to fit the last plank. Cut and install the planks. Continue and place lines like this. When you get to a door, you will need to trim the plank to fit the surrounding floor.

Place a flat board on the floor next to the molding and draw a line across the board on top of the molding. Then cut with a jigsaw and let the boards slide under. Repeat on both sides of each door you encounter. When you reach the final row, measure and cut the remaining boards to the correct width to fit before installing. Finally, remove the spacers and place quarter-circle molding along the bottom edge of each wall to fill the gaps.

For example, continue reading this article to learn more about how to retrofit your board at home from our contractor co-author!

After laying the mat, start taping the floor together. Starting with a straight wall, lay out the first row connecting all the perimeter boards together. The first board should be 1/2 board and continue down the row. Use spacers to make sure you are 10mm away from the wall. If you don't have spacers, some sections of laminate flooring will work.

Before you even think about installing your first laminate, you need to prepare the subfloor. If this is not done correctly, your finish and new laminate will not fit properly. You don’t want to go to that lengths to have something that is imperfect.

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The floor of the house is one of the most deteriorated parts of the property over time, as it takes the impact of every step. Sometimes, the surface improvement is postponed over time due to the inconvenience of the works. However, there are innovative proposals that offer an excellent solution on an aesthetic and practical level. It is one of the decorative trends that is triumphant today. It is a format made up of several layers perfectly joined. It is a design that offers great resistance and very simple maintenance. What are the characteristics of the installation process?

1. Check that there is no humidity in the environment

It is a floor that can be integrated into any room. However, it is important to check. It is not subject to the possible effects of humidity. In this case, it is important to solve the problem after a special diagnosis.

2. Smooth surface

As we mentioned, it is important to check if there is any humidity in the environment. However, you need to analyze the surface from another perspective. It is important that it is completely smooth. Likewise, any remaining dirt must be removed before continuing with the installation.

It is also important to check that the type of flooring offers the desired conditions for starting the installation and getting a good result. For example, it cannot be placed on a carpet.

3. Remove furniture from the room

Any reform process requires effective planning. For example, it is important to remove furniture from the room so that the work area is completely open and unobstructed.

This way you can get an approximate estimate of the time you want to meet and the space you will need for this task. Some furniture may also move from place to place as the installation progresses. In this case, it is essential that the furniture is empty to minimize its weight.

4. Material adaptability to the environment

It is recommended that the material adapt to environmental conditions, as it may experience some changes as a result of external factors such as temperature or humidity.

5. Insulation on the floor

Laminate flooring combines aesthetic beauty with the practicality of the installation process. It is important to provide good heat and sound insulation to increase comfort in the home. The application of a special product is also key to protecting the surface against moisture.

6. Read the instructions for the installation process

Currently, there are different manufacturers that offer quality surfaces. So you compare the different offers and analyze the relationship between quality and price. When you buy the material, make a general inspection and check that it is in perfect condition. Finally, read the special instructions carefully to proceed with the optimal installation of the floor.

How should laminate flooring skirting be?

It is also recommended to install a skirting board that matches the base of the laminate flooring. This increases the visual continuity in the overall decoration of the house. This element has a practical and aesthetic function: it enhances the appearance of the floor and perfectly frames it within the boundaries of the room.

Next, you need to prepare the subfloor. When the subfloor is clean and smooth, you know it’s safe to install. You can usually install laminate over an old floor, such as vinyl, as long as it’s flat, smooth, and not too soft. However, you’ll usually want to remove any existing flooring in the room, as well as the baseboards and crown molding.

It is possible to lay laminate over old laminate, but there is a product that may need to be laid over the old flooring first to ensure the old pattern does not wear away under the new flooring. Make sure you use the specific adhesive or glue recommended for bonding laminate tiles.

Before you begin the installation, be sure to remove any existing flooring and subfloor to create a level base. Since the exterior of any laminate floor requires an expanded gap, you may choose to remove the existing skirting, install a new floor, and then reinstall the skirting. Or, use beading to hide expansion joints after installation.