How To Lay Laminate Flooring - An Instructional Guide - 2
Use a plane to smooth any odd spots. Fill in pesky gaps with putty, and let dry thoroughly before continuing. Finally, before you start the final laying portion of your project, I suggest covering any doors or chimneys with plastic covering to prevent flying debris from entering or leaving your work area.
Getting Started
Adding a damp-proof membrane is a great idea even if your sub-floor already has a covering. This is highly recommended for some sub-floor materials over others, but I suggest you add this to your entire floor. This damp-proof membrane will protect your new laminate flooring from moisture, humidity, debris, and household temperature. While this may seem tedious and bothersome, that extra bit of protection is well worth any price.
Of course, we can not forget the underlay. This should only be laid on a clean, level, and dry sub-floor. There are a few options for you. Depending on your home environment, your sales clerk can tell you which is best. This is usually done in strips starting at one wall and going to the next. This underlay is on top of the damp-proof membrane. Follow the manufacturer directions to get the most out of your underlay.
Do you have any plumbing issues or electrical issues you have been avoiding because it is under the floor? Now is a great time to get those pesky issues fixed. Of course, you will want to make sure that the door will open and close with the new laminate flooring. This how to lay laminate flooring guide suggests that you lay a piece of the flooring where the door can be opened and closed in a sort of test run. If you have difficulties, fix it now. If your door is opening and closing, you may proceed to the next step.
Cutting The Laminate Flooring
Cutting the laminate flooring is best done before hand. The majority of the boards should be cut and ready to install before you even start. However, there are cases where some of the flooring will be cut while you finish up your project. Cut your laminate flooring with a circular saw - don't forget the safety tips - and cut with the decorative side down. This will help protect your laminate flooring from unnecessary damage.
Laying The Laminate Flooring
Okay, we need to be clear on something from the start. You should always lay your laminate flooring so that it crosses over the beams of your home underneath. This will add strength and longevity to not only your laminate flooring, but your home as well. If you can not lay them across the under beams, you should get at least a 90 angle. This is needed for security. Laminate flooring that runs with your under beams will cause a lot of problems later.
The first row should be laid with the tongue facing the wall. You should put two spacers between your wall and the plank. Allow for a 10mm gap that will allow for expansion in the future. Then you add the second plank to the end of the first plank. Again, add the spacers. Get the level and make sure that you have an even line.
Now, you get to add the rest of the flooring planks one plank at a time. You will do this in a tongue to groove pattern. Make sure to check for fit before adding any glue - if you are using glue. Stagger the length piece so you get that layered look that makes laminate flooring so darn beautiful. Remember that the pieces should pretty much so lock together. You can use a mallet and tapping block to knock the pieces together, but there should never be any extreme force used. You will injure your flooring planks.
Finishing Up
You may have piping or other obstacles in your path. You should measure and cut the boards to fit seamlessly around these obstacles. At his point, you should add molding to the flooring as you deem fit. Floor edging is great to hide that unsightly gap, and you should always glue or nail the floor edging to the wall, not the floor. Now that you have the flooring completed, a simple vacuum of broom will finish up your project. Using a floor cleaner specifically for laminate flooring will add an extra shine to your new floor.
We hope that you have found everything that you need for your laminate flooring needs. If you are looking for something in particular that you cannot find on our site, drop us a line and let us know. We want to make sure that our visitors are happy, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
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