How to Install Laminate Floors

Installing Laminated Floors

Introduction:

There are many DIY projects that come to mind when thinking about what home improvements you want to make for your home, one of them is installing laminate flooring. Laminate wood floors can give your home a fantastic appearance and they look and wear just like non-laminated hardwood floors. Installing laminated flooring can be expensive if you hire a contractor to do it for you.

Most home owners can install laminated flooring as a DIY project. It is a DIY project that is really not all that difficult if you are handy around the house. If you are somewhat skeptical about your ability have a buddy help give you a hand. Installing laminate flooring is a lot easier when you have someone helping you, especially when it comes to joining the pieces together. Though this can be done single handedly, it will be a lot easier with some help even if you or your helper has no experience.

How to Install Laminated Floors:

1. Remove all of the baseboards in the room that you plan on installing the flooring in. This will make the finish job look more professional and also ensure that you are securing the flooring securely.

2. Lay down the underlayment. There are many types of underlayment that are available and they all have their qualities. The underlayment absorbs sound, and evens out the bad spots in the flooring. It is highly recommended that you use it when you are installing laminate flooring for a better quality finished job. It will also help the laminate stay in place a lot better. Underlay usually comes in rolls that are about 40 inches wide. You can use duct tape to join them together. Once you got the underlay in place you can begin to lay out the laminate. Laying the laminate is similar to laying tile; you want to have the same size laminate planks against both sides of the walls.

3. When laying the first pieces have the grooves facing inward towards the wall. Leave approximately 1/4 of an inch from the wall as an expansion gap. Use 1/4 inch spacers around the room to obtain the gap. The baseboards will close the gap.

4. At the end of a row you may need to use a pry bar and a hammer to ensure that the board latches in securely. Once the first row is done repeat the steps that you did to install the first row.

That’s all there really is to it when it comes to installing a laminate floor. Keep in mind that the smoother the floor is before you start the easier the job will be and it will look just like a professional did it.

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