Laminate flooring is not only hard-wearing, water-resistantand effortlessly stylish, but it also offers a simple installation, which can quickly and easily improve an interior’s appearance.
Rather than paying for a professional to install the boards in your home, it is possibleto fit the flooring by yourself. If you are looking for some helpful adviceon how to successfully do so, here are some expert tips on how to install laminate flooring.
Have the Essential Tools at Hand
Prepare by having the items needed to lay a laminate floor. Essential items include:
- Hand saw
- Measuring tape
- Underlay
- Pencil
You may also need the following tools:
- Knee pads
- Pull bar
- Moisture metre
- Spacers
- Jig-saw
- Spirit level
Measure Your Flooring
It is essential to identify the correct measurement of a room’s floor space before you purchase laminate boards so that you know exactly how many you will need. It’s often wise to purchase 10% more boards than the area of the room should you make a mistake during the installation process.
Prep the Subfloor
It’s imperative the subfloor is in greatcondition prior toinstallation. A floor levellercan review all subfloor areas. If you find a surface is a little uneven, you will need to sand down the floors to ensure the boards appear flat once laid.
It’s also important the area is both dry and smooth beforeinstallation. Don’t forget to secure any nails or screws to prevent them from puncturing either the underlay or laminate boards.
Acclimatise the Boards
In addition to prepping the floor, ensure you rest the laminate packs horizontally for at least 48 hours before installation, which will allow them to acclimatiseto a room.
Aim to maintain a constant temperature to stabilisemoisture levels, preventing the boards from expanding or contracting. It can ultimately reduce the likelihood of gaps forming, which can damage your flooring’s appearance.
Choose the Right Underlay
Before you install the boards, you should add underlay. However, the option you choose should be determinedby your subfloor.
If you are applying laminate flooring onto concrete, opt for an underlay that features a built-in damp-proof membrane. You’ll also need to use packaging tape to ensure it extends 5cm up a wall.
Though, if you have a wooden subfloor, you will not need to apply a damp-proof membrane or tape the underlay up the wall. If installing laminate over underfloor heating, purchase an underlay that will evenly distribute heat across the flooring.
The Installation Process
Once you have selected the right boards for your budget and interior, you’ll need to embark on the installation process. You can find out more about the tools and techniques to use at https://www.woodfloorwarehouse.co.uk/installing-laminate-flooring, with their clear and easy to follow instructions.
The first step you must take is to identifythe direction you’d like the boards to lie in. It is often recommended to position the boards in the directionof the longest wall. However, if you have a wooden subfloor, it is better to fit the boards across the joints located underneath.
The click/lock system makes it easy to join the laminate boards together. Start in a corner of the room and following these steps:
- The 1stboard on the 1strow should feature a full board
- The 2ndrow must start with a 2/3 board
- The 3rdrow must be a 1/3 board
- The 4throw should begin with a full board
Continue with the above pattern until the floor is covered with the laminate boards. Always ensure the end joints of one row are approximately eight inches away from the end joints on the next row to provide an expansion gap. Laminate flooring should not touch a wall, a door frame or pipes, which can result in boards moving or experiencing damage.