Installing a new floor in your home
If you are considering installing a new floor in your home, then learning how to install laminate flooring may be one of your first choices. It has many benefits, including being very easy on the joints that will probably be there. It also comes in a wide variety of different styles, colors, finishes, and patterns so there is a large amount to choose from. In addition, it is quite durable and resistant to moisture, stains, and scratches. Yet, if you do not do your job properly, or make a few mistakes, laminate flooring can really look cracked and flimsy.
Learning how to install laminate flooring correctly
When learning how to install laminate flooring correctly, you need to pay close attention to the directions that come with your flooring package. These are designed to be followed carefully and thoroughly. The good news is that these instructions will provide you with step-by-step guidance for the process. Most companies that sell laminate flooring will include the necessary parts, including the underlayment and the installation guide. These parts will be listed either under the name of the laminate or the floor type that you are buying.
Select a good-quality underlayment
The first thing that you will have to do in learning how to install flooring correctly is to select a good-quality underlayment that will help protect the subfloor beneath your new floor. You will want to choose a thick but flexible underlayment that will conform to the shape of your new floor. The thickness of the underlayment is especially important because it will determine how much support your new laminate planks will need.
Measuring the space
Once you have selected an appropriate underlayment, you can start to learn how to install laminate floors by measuring the space that you have available in your room. For each planks or plank that you buy, you will need a specific amount of spacers or cut-outs. Measuring how far from each other the planks will be will help you to properly install the planks in an even fashion. It will also help you to accurately determine how many spacers or cut-outs you will need.
After you have the measurements and the planks or plank shapes ready, you will need to purchase all of the materials that you will need to install laminate flooring. One of the most important tools that you will need is a good quality drill with a cutting disc. The two tools that you will need are a circular saw and a wood putty knife.
Cut the planks into the floor space
A wood putty knife can come in handy when it comes time to actually cut the planks into the floor space. The reason that you would want to do this is that each individual plank will need to be measured with its cut off. Once the individual planks have been measured you will then want to take an exact measurement of the floor surface. This is a critical step in the installation process because if you do not get the right measurement the end result could look like an over or under floor. Another critical measure that must be taken at this point is the edge of the sub floor. You will want to make sure that the edge is level and cleanly lined up before you begin installation.
Wood glue that you will attach the flooring
The next item that you will need for the installation process is a wood glue that you will attach the flooring to. Most of these glues will be either a Teflon or polyurethane based glue. If you are doing a new floor you will also need a rubber underlayment to help seal the floor. There are also a couple of products on the market today that combine both a glue and underlayment for a more complete covering.
To complete the installation, you will need to make sure that the floor is leveled and clean. Take a chisel and make sure that the floor is level and clean with no bumps or burrs. Using a rubber mallet, slightly tap the flooring to spread the glue and trim off the excess. You should finish by using an edge sander to make sure that the flooring is smoothed all the way around. If you do any cutting during the installation process you should always try to use a rubber knife so that you do not mar any of the wood.