Since they are so easy to install – and also quite affordable – laminates are a great choice for any room in the house. You can find laminate that looks like wood or stone, and it may even have a special texture, making it hard to distinguish from the real thing.
Installing laminate flooring is a simple, straightforward process. Laminate floors are sometimes called ‘floating floors’ because they are not directly fastened (glued or nailed) to the sub-floor. Instead, the pieces of laminate flooring are connected to each other and ‘float’ above the sub-floor. The floating allows the flooring to expand or contract with temperature or other environmental changes so it settles well into the room.
The installation process for laminate flooring is so easy anyone can do it, saving you time and money. The pieces of laminate flooring use connectors or interlocking systems that allow you to easily click the pieces together. Depending on the laminate you use, you may use one of three types of installation procedures – glue, glue-less, or pre-glued. The procedure used, along with the quality of the flooring, will influence the lifespan and performance of your laminate flooring.
Preparing for Installation
Before you install your laminate flooring, follow these steps to make sure that your installation will be successful.
First, remove all furniture, appliances, and breakables from the room where you’ll do the installation. You want your work area to be clean and uncluttered.
Second, remove existing flooring as needed. Laminate can be placed atop almost any flooring type except carpet. However, for a cleaner installation you may want to remove other flooring types (linoleum, wood, etc.). Along with this, check if you’ll ultimately be changing the height of your flooring. If so, you’ll want to adjust your doors accordingly so they still open and close easily.
Prior to installation, you should give the laminate a bit of time to adjust to your home’s conditions. Leave the boxes of flooring lying flat in the room(s) where they will be installed for 48 hours before installation so the flooring can adapt to the climate of your home or building.
Finally, you may need to lay a piece of foam, polyurethane, or a similar product down and install the laminate on top of it. Doing this will help to cushion the floor, absorb sound, and prevent moisture from wicking up and destroying the laminate. Check with your floor’s manufacturer to see if this is necessary.
How to Install Laminate Flooring
Although you can hire someone to install laminate flooring for you, you can save hundreds of dollars – or more- by installing it yourself.
Whatever method of installation you choose, it is important to remember that your ‘floating floor’ needs a bit of room to expand and contract. Make sure you leave small gaps against the walls. Don’t worry – the gaps will be covered by your baseboard and you won’t even know they are there.
Using the Glue-Less Procedure
Glue-less laminate flooring is perhaps the most popular and easiest type for installation. The pieces of flooring are designed with a special tongue-and-groove system that allows the pieces to easily connect. All you have to do is take two pieces and snap or click them together and repeat as needed. This method is really easy to learn and apply and saves you the mess of gluing pieces together. The one downside is that glue-less laminate flooring may cost a bit more than other types.
Using the Glue Procedure
The glue procedure is quite similar to the glue-less procedure. However, as the name implies, the pieces of laminate flooring are glued together rather than simply being snapped into place. You may also need to use special fillers or sealants, as well as wedges and tapping blocks to get the right spacing and fill in any gaps. The pieces may stick together better this way, but this method can be a bit messy.
Using the Pre-Glued Procedure
Pre-glued laminate flooring is a sort of hybrid of the other installation techniques. The pieces are glued together, but the glue is already on the pieces.
You simply activate the glue with a little water (by, e.g., running a damp sponge along the glued edges). This method is a little less messy than the glue method, but may require the same special tools.
Once you’ve installed your flooring, it’s best if you can stay off it for about 24 hours. If possible, don’t bring your furniture or appliances back in immediately, and minimize walking on the floor until the flooring has had time to dry off and settle into place. This will ultimately prolong the life of your floor, guaranteeing you years of enjoyment.
Laminate floors are not only easy to install, but they are a great investment. They can raise the value of your home, and are sure to give you years of enjoyment.
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