When you decide to install laminate flooring, you have the look of a hardwood floor, without the worry and the maintenance. You can easily install your own laminate flooring if you take a little time to do some research.
The first thing you need to realize is all laminate flooring manufacturers have their own procedures for installation. It is recommended that you read and follow the installation procedures for the specific laminate flooring you buy. It may seem like they are all the same, but there are small differences in certain aspects of installation like gluing. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions that were supplied with your purchase, any mistakes you make may void the product’s warranty. Though each manufacturer may have different procedures there are a few things they all have in common.
The first thing you will need is a level sub floor to lay the planks over. The floor should be stable and flat with no gaps greater than 3 inches. You must ground off the high spots and fill in the low spots to make the floor flat. You have to take into account a ¼ inch gap along the whole edge of the installation. If the floor is too close to a wall or touching it, the flooring will most likely fail.
A laminate floor must be allowed to adjust to the final surrounding. This will take two or three days. You cannot bring home a floor and install it. You need to allow the laminate flooring to acclimate to the new environmental conditions before you begin the installation process.
When you begin, do not use any material that seems to have been damaged. If you do, your warranty may not apply. Be sure you inspect the large format laminate flooring for any flaws or defects.
If you need to fit the laminate flooring around any pipes, you need to measure, and drill the holes at least ½” larger than the span of the pipe. This will allow for any movement. Cut at a 45 degree angle to the holes in the tile.
You should always protect your laminate flooring by using felt protectors for chairs and any other heavy furniture you may have that may scar the flooring. If you need to move furniture, be sure you lift and move it before you set it back down on the floor.
If you install your own laminate flooring, you will save a ton of money. It doesn’t have to be a difficult process if you familiarize yourself with the instructions and have all the tools you will need on hand. You can find out any additional information on the web or you can ask a friend for their help. You will be proud to stand back and see the beauty of your handiwork.