Laminate flooring has become a top choice for homeowners. For one because it’s much easier to install than a real hard wood floor. It is also very durable and requires a lot less maintenance than carpet does. Not to mention it’s healthier to have in your home. Laminate flooring is also very attractive coming in a wide array of different colors and designs.
Installing laminate flooring is definitely something that you can do on your own. You may need some help for some parts but you will save a butt-load of money installing the floor your self. You can pay anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot to have it installed professionally.
Here is a list of the tools that you will need:
The first thing you will need to do is prep your floor. If you have carpet down, remove it along with its carpet padding. Remove any nails or tack strips around and room and make sure your floor is smooth and without dips. If you floor is not level, this is the time to level it out. You laminate floor installation will be much easier and your floor will last much longer if you’re installing to a level surface.
Next you will want to remove the baseboards around your room. Carefully pry these off a little bit at a time and you may be able to save and re-use them. Use your saw to cup at the bottom of case openings, door jambs, etc. Make sure you leave enough room for your pad and your laminate flooring.
When figuring out how much laminate flooring to buy you will have to measure your rooms length and width. To get your sq footage you will multiply your rooms length by width. Remember to add about 5% to this total to account for scrap and mistakes.
Once your floor is prepared you are ready to roll out your padding. The thicker stuff makes a difference and is worth the extra money. Connect your underlayment with wide clear tape making sure the pieces do not overlap.
Some of these floors go together differently depending on which brand you buy. Most of them simply “snap” together fairly easily. Each box of laminate flooring should come with directions on how to install that particular floor. Since laminate flooring is a floating floor you will have to leave a 1/4³ gap around the room to allow expansion. Remember to use your spacers!
As you install each board be sure to snug them together using your rubber hammer and your pull bar. Just a couple gently taps will do the trick but you don’t want big gaps or cracks in your floor that could allow liquid to get inside.
After your laminate flooring is installed you can go back and install your baseboards. If you were able to save the originals then that’s great and you can re-use them. If not you’ll have to cut new ones. Just remember not to put any nails through your floor since laminate is a floating floor. This could cause bowing or cracks in your floor.
Similar Posts:
- How to Install Laminate Flooring
- How to Install Laminate Flooring As Part of a Home Make Over
- How to Prepare Your Floors for Laminate
- How to Install Laminate Flooring By Yourself
- Laminate Wood Floors
