How to Install Laminate Flooring

How to Install Laminate Flooring

This is a common project for the DIYer with some light carpentry experience and for people who are comfortable with table saws or other related tools.

In this section, we’re going to give you the details of how this process should happen. Before we start, here’s a video to help you get an overall idea of what a laminate flooring installation is going to be like.

Below are some details that you may want to take into consideration with your laminate floor installation process .

Preparing For a Laminate Flooring Installation

There are three important issues to think about before the day of laminate installation: Furniture, appliances and fixed objects.

Furniture: All of it needs to be removed. Make sure to empty the closets and cabinets. If your installer is prepared to move the furniture for you, check in advance if you are going to be charged for it.

Appliances: Appliances need to be disconnected and removed from the space. Some installers may do the job for you for an additional charge. You can do it yourself with a little help. Prior arrangements should be made with your gas/appliances company to disconnect and reconnect all gas appliances. It is NOT recommended disconnecting gas related appliances on your own.

Fixed Objects: For example, posts and fireplace surrounds need to be included into your plan when preparing for the installation. A great way to start preparing is measuring the dimensions of these objects and how they may affect your square footage requirement. This process should be done before your installer arrives! Properly preparation for laminate flooring installation can result in a stress-free experience.

Pre-installation instructions

A do-it-yourself laminate floor installation requires construction skills of an intermediate-level. You should consider a few factors before a laminate floor installation. Here are a few instructions:

• Make sure that the subfloor is horizontal, dry, and polished.
• We recommend you using an underlayment for soundproofing and stability.
• Laminate flooring and underlayment/vapor barrier can be installed on any existing floor as long as the floor is flat and sturdy. Minor irregularities won’t be visible thanks to the foam pads.
• Remember to allow the flooring material to acclimatize to the installation site for as long as possible (min. 2 to 3 days) in order for the flooring to adjust to the room temperature and humidity.
• Each floor plank should be examined for color, finish, quality and defects.
• 65°F (15°C) is the perfect temperature for a laminate floor installation. Our recommendation is that a floor surface temperature of 59°F and an overall room temperature of 65°F must be ensured before, during and three days after the installation.
• Remember to take extra care when installing laminate flooring over radiant heating. Ensure that you read both the laminate flooring and radiant heat system instructions.
• Always read the installation instructions provided by your laminate flooring provider / manufacturer.

Installation tips

• The beginning wall of the flooring, the wall where you start installing the new floor, should be more visible than your ending wall.
• Remember to remove any previous carpeting or wood flooring glued to a concrete floor.
• Wood flooring NOT glued to a concrete floor can remain.
• After measuring the area of the floor to be covered with the laminate, add 10% to allow as wastage.
• If your room is larger than 1,000 square feet, you must use spacers of 0.75 inch in order to create expansion space around the border of the room and any pipes, doorframes, cabinets, or fixed objects.
• A gap of 0.50 inches can work, if your room is smaller. These gaps allow for expansion and contraction.
• To install flooring around pipes, drill a hole in the plank that is half or a quarter inch larger than the pipe diameter. The plank needs to be cut across the center of the circle, fit around the pipe on the floor, glue plank pieces back together and clamp. Cover expansion gaps with molding or pipe rings when the floor is complete. Water pipes require silicone sealant.
• Raise the last installed board approximately 1 to 2 inches until it disengages in order to replace any planks damaged during installation. Just continue until you reach the affected plank, replace and reinstall the planks.

Underlayment installation

Underlayment is known for being a material placed between the sub-floor and your laminate floor. This provides cushioning, sound absorption and a barrier to moisture. Underlayment comes in large rolls or as separate pieces that can be taped together. The use of an underlayment reduces walking noise, improves flooring stability and provides superior support and also speeds installation.

• Firstly remove the shoe molding from around the baseboard and also the doors to be covered.
• Additional space should be added in order to fit under doorframes. This process should be started by placing a piece of underlayment and laminate flooring next to the jamb to determine the required height. Now, cut out the desired area of the frame.
• Make sure the edges don’t overlap. Tape the pieces together to prevent them from shifting. Using spacers by creating an expansion gap between the underlayment and walls.
• Apply a polyethylene plastic vapor barrier before installing the underlayment, if you’re placing a laminate floor on top of a concrete slab.

Floating or glueless installation method

One of the key advantages of laminate flooring is the ease of installation. There are two do-it-yourself installment options. One of them is the floating or glueless method where the flooring is not secured to the subfloor. It allows each board to be connected by means of a tongue-and-groove design. These planks click together to form a firmly fastened surface, around eight inches by four feet long.

The glueless flooring planks are installed on an average 50% faster than the traditional methods of installation.

Materials requirement:

• Straight edge
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Marker
• Speed square (to test angles)
• Scissors
• Hammer
• Coping saw
• Circular saw with fine-tooth blade
• Safety goggles
• Clamps
• Wall spacer wedges
• Tapping block
• Last row puller (prybar)
• Laminate flooring
• Underlay (foam, vinyl or cork are popular choices)

Installation procedure

• Flooring planks should be in preference installed with their length parallel to the incoming sunlight.
• The installation should start from the left corner of the room. Furthermore, cut off the tongue of the planks, and run them parallel to the wall using expansion spacers.
• Install each plank by inserting one end into the other.
• Measure and trim the last plank to fit, on reaching the end of the row.
• Start the next row by cutting a new plank similar to the pattern of the first row
• Slightly lift the previous row in order to fit the next planks into position.
• Give a sharp rap to the next line of boards using your hand to fully engage. Press them down strongly.
• Keep on going with this process until the rest of the flooring is done.
• The last row should have the same width as the first row. Remember to trace the wall outline and to leave space for expansion.
• Trim and remove surplus plastic sheeting and spacers.
• Reinstall baseboards without nailing to the floor.
• Flooring should spread under the doorframe.
• To mark the depth that the doorframe should be trimmed, use a piece of scrap flooring.

Laminate Flooring Installation Costs

After you picked a laminate floor, remember to calculate the total cost of your installation. The first step is calculating how much square footage you’ll need, consider the AC rating that will best suit your flooring location. Add to your calculation, the cost of underlay and laminate flooring moldings. Make sure that there are no surprises regarding your project budget in order to succeed a perfect laminate flooring installation.

Apart from material costs, here is a list of additional expenditures you may have to factor in during or prior of a laminate flooring installation project:

• Furniture removal and replacement: Some professional installers include taking your furniture out of the room and also moving it back there once the installation has been finished. Remember that additional charges may exist.
• Taking off the old floor covering: Your previous/old floor covering may need to be removed and the debris has to be disposed properly as well. Your installer may regard it as a cost-incurring step, if you don’t do it yourself.
• Subfloor preparation: Pre-installation work may incur additional charges if your subfloor needs to be repaired or treated.
• Installation: Determine the total cost for installation process.
• Accessories installation: Find out if the installation procedure requires accessories/additional material/tools to install laminate properly. This step may or may not be included in the installation agreement.

This may not be a complete list of things to look into before finalizing your decision about laminate flooring so we would like to to consider a discussion with your flooring installer or dealer. This way you will get all your facts straight before starting this project. The key to a happy and successful process is doing your research and getting all of the costs of a laminate flooring installation upfront.

Installing Laminate Flooring – A How-To Guide

We serve you the same video, as a step by step guide to installing laminate flooring. You have here included everything you need to know about how to install laminate floors.