Laminate flooring is an almost instant solution to flooring problems. What works in it’s favor are the following:
*Ease of installation
*Speed at which it can be installed
*Easy to clean
*Great modern clean look
It has disadvantages too and these should be borne in mind when making the decision as to whether laminate flooring really is a wise choice. The disadvantages are:
*Not as hard-wearing as wood.
*Marks easily
*Can absorb moisture if not sealed correctly
*Can warp if not installed correctly
MAKING THE DECISION
Making the decision as to whether laminate flooring suits your needs depends largely upon the flatness of the sub-floor, since if laid on a floor that is sloping will follow the slope of the existing sub-floor. It is wise to assess household use of the room in question. If this is a heavy traffic area, then cheap laminate may prove to be an unwise choice. It looks great in the shop though the better the quality the more it will withstand constant use.
Can the skirting or baseboard in the room in question be removed relatively easily ? To install laminate flooring, it really is better to install it with the base boards removed, since the space left under baseboards is what the floor depends upon for expansion and shrinkage which is fair normal in floors of this nature. If the room is a low traffic room, rugs can be laid onto the laminate flooring to enhance the warmth of the room and looking at co-ordinating styles at this stage is a great idea to give you an idea of price.
At the decision making process, also look at what underlay is required, if any, since the price of this is often overlooked in the purchasing, and will indeed bring the overall cost of the job up.
INSTALLATION
The installation process is simple and the first preparation of the room is as follows:
*Remove all furnishings.
*Remove base boards or skirting.
*Vacuum the whole area so that it is clean and ready to take the new floor.
The tools you will need for the installation are as follows:
*Heavy duty scissors.
*Jet-saw
*Tape (ask dealership which tape suits the underlay)
*Small hammer.
*Small block of wood.
IMPORTANT
When you are going to install laminate flooring in a room, do open all packs in advance and leave them to acclimatise to the temperature of the room for at least 24 hours before laying them. Many people installing these floors do not take this into consideration, and it matters, since the temperature at which the planks have been stored will be different to the ambient temperature of the room where they are to be laid. Without adhering to this practice, shrinkage or contraction may alter the flatness of the floor.
FIRST PROCESS
The first process is to lay the underlay. This is usually a very simple task, though where joins occur, it is a good idea to tape them with the appropriate tape. To add extra protection and to keep the underlay in place during the whole process, this can be taped at the edges of the room. Scissors can be used to cut appropriate widths and into recesses, although the whole floor area should be covered. This adds to insulation, and also to sound travel resistance.
INSTALLING THE FLOOR
Installing the floor, work out the direction you want the boards to lay, and start from one side of the room. If there are doors that open into the room, these may have to be removed because they are too tight a fit. This is actually easier than trying to do two jobs at once and can be tackled when the floor is finished.
Working from one corner across the whole width, begin with a whole length of laminate flooring. On the second and alternate rows, start laying the row with half lengths. What this does is ensure that the small joins in the planks are not put all together, weakening the integrity of the flooring. Here, you will have to be careful because if the ends of the boards are tongue and grooved click joints, you will need to have the cut end towards the wall, though the other half of the plank is not wasted as it can be used at the opposite side of the room, keeping all cut edges towards walls.
Ensure that each of the new rows of flooring is pushed in as far as it should be, and if it needs a little help, hold your wooden block over where you intend to hammer to protect the flooring from damage. Light tapping is better than rough work, since you may damage the surface of the laminate.
SPACE TO BREATHE
Floors of this nature need space to breathe. How this is achieved is to leave a small gap all around the edges of the flooring that can be neatly hidden by skirting or base board. This allows for any shrinkage or expansion of boards and will help your floor to remain flat.
CUTS TO BOARDS
The cuts to boards can be performed effectively with a jet-saw, and here, marking a straight line to the required measurement will help you to keep your cutting neat and tidy. Remember when measuring that the saw blade has thickness, and to cut on the side of the line drawn away from the required piece of flooring. This helps you to cut accurately.
DOORWAYS
When you have this kind of flooring in doorways, some kind of finish is required, because otherwise you will be creating a trip, where this floor is very slightly higher than those in rooms adjoining. There are very neat edging strips that can be installed to get over this which have a gradual slope or a rounded finish. Do ask your dealer which are available and a wise choice will make the finish of the floor look very professional indeed.
WORKING INTO AREAS WHERE NO BASEBOARD IS TO BE FIXED
In some environments, there will be the occasional area where baseboard will not be fitted. For example around the edging of a feature fireplace etc. Here, lay the boards as neatly as you can, and ask your dealership about edgings that can be added to make the job look more professionally finished. If the gap is minimal, there are for example mastics that can be used to seal the gap but also retain elasticity so that the floor can still expand and contract without damage. If the floor has been laid correctly with breathing space all around the room, these small areas don’t really make much difference to shrinking or swelling, though it’s nice to finish them off.
FINISH
Many laminated boards come already finished, though if laying the floor in an area prone to wetness like a utility room, bathroom, toilet or kitchen, do discuss with your dealership what finishes are available to seal the floors. Here, also, if this really is an area of heavy traffic, when pushing the planking together, a little glue to seal the joins may be a good idea. Your dealership will be able to advise which glue is suitable.
Around the edges of mud rooms, or wet rooms, there is a special mastic that can be used to seal edges that are not covered by baseboards of skirting.
Laminate flooring offers so many choices of color and finish, and looking at the whole range before making decisions helps you to think about what would suit your home best. If brochures are available with sample colors, take these home and see what they look like in your home environment as it is difficult to judge without seeing it in the place you intend laying the floor.
If buying cheaper laminate, remember that there may be defective areas which is why it is cheap in the first place. Laminate flooring is a great choice since what it does is give you instant results, and can totally change the ambiance of a room, making it look clean and cared for. This may be the opportunity to varnish or to paint the baseboards separately before replacing them as what you create is a neatness that may not be as simple when the baseboards are in place. Cherish your floor, and look after it, protecting areas of heavy wear, and your family will enjoy the benefits of an easily cleaned floor surface for years to come.
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