I recently spoke about laminate flooring being a great alternative to hardwood and one of features I spoke about was how laminate flooring can easily be installed by you to save a bit of money.
To help you with this Do It Yourself (DIY) project I have set up the necessary steps you need to take in order to properly install your laminate flooring.
1. Floor Preparation
When you are installing on a concrete basement floor you have to install an underlayment, which is felt and vapour-barrier in the same direction as the floor planks. Be sure not to overlap the joints.
When installing on a wood subfloor in your basement you need an underlayment with vapour-barrier and polyethylene foam.
For installation on a wood floor on the ground floor or upper levels, you simply need a polyethylene foam underlayment.
2. Putting in the First Row
You have to select the appropriate corner of the room and start laying down planks with the male interlocks (tongues) facing the wall and the female interlocks (grooves) exposed or facing the centre of the room.
This is extremely important it is done this way seeing as the tongues need to be inserted into the grooves.
Place the first row of planks aligned to the line of the wall.
3. Measuring the Final Plank of the Row
You have to obtain the exact measurement of the final plank in any given row. To do this, turn the plank facing up and lay it next to the row of installed planks. Be sure that groove on the plank to be measure and the one installed in the row are set one against the other and you leave an 8 mm space at the end of the plank.
If you are using a manual saw, always cut through the top of the plank (to avoid splintering) and if you are using a jigsaw or circular saw, cut through the bottom of the plank.
4. Making the Rows Straight
The planks installed must follow the wall line. If the wall is not straight, then you have to scribe the wall line on the first row of the planks using a spacing block tool.
You then saw planks along their length following the traced wall line or you can use different sized spacers to ensure the rows are straight.
5. Proving the Natural Look
Once you ensure that the first row is straight, you can start each new row using the leftover section from the last plank in the preceding row.
Remember that plank joints must be offset by 16 in. with those in the preceding row.
To do this, you must have staggering joints. This will reduce waste and you will produce a floor that has more stability and a more natural look.
6. Assembling the Rest of the Planks
With the first row installed and perfectly straight you can begin assembling the other planks.
To do this you have to place a plank approximately on a 30 degree angle and insert the tongue into the groove of the previously installed plank. You slide it in the intended location and lower it slowly until it comes into contact with the floor. Make any required adjustments using the hammer and tapping block.
7. Doorways, Pipes and Protrusions
You may encounter any one of these, or even all when installing laminate flooring.
If you find yourself faced with a door frame you simply need to shorten the door frame to make room for the flooring. Place the plank face down next to the door frame and use a mitre saw to cut the frame at the appropriate height. Once the frame is trimmed you just need to slide the plank under it.
Dealing with pipes and protrusions require you to cut the plank to the correct length and lay it down next to its intended location. Then measure the protrusion outline and trace the shape onto the plank. You just need to cut out or drill out the planks as indicated.
8. Installing the Last Planks
With the last row of planks, you have to ensure the exact width of each plank prior to installation. To accomplish this, lay a plank on the top and last installed plank and lay a second plank on the top of that one with the tongue facing the wall.
Trace a line on the lower plank using the edge of the one above and saw along this line (do not forget to factor in the extension gap).
9. Maintenance
You have to clean your laminate floor with a broom, damp sponge or vacuum cleaner. For stains use a damp cloth.
Never use a wet cloth to wash the floor or pour water directly on it.
With these instructions at your disposal you are ready to install laminate flooring at any given moment.
Jeff Markewich
Broker of Record with InfoMarket Group GMAC Real Estate
www.imgrealestate.ca
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