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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle. | Posted under Interior Decorating
How To Lay Laminate Flooring - An Instructional Guide
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SafetyThe first step to any DIY project is safety. This means that you should wear protective goggles, gloves, and a dust mask. Since power tools are used, I suggest that you make sure children and animals are clear of the work area. It is also wise to refrain from any narcotics or alcohol previous to starting the project. As always, following the manufacturer's guidelines for safety is highly recommended. Following simple safety measures can mean the difference between a good job and a deadly job. Tool ListCircular SawAdhesiveGogglesHammer Face MaskFitting KitDetectorDamp-proof MembraneLeveling CompoundPencilPlaneNail PunchQuadrant PinsSet SquareSawTension StrapsTape MeasureWedgesUnderlayLaminate Collars and EdgingsLaminate Floor CleanerLaminate EssentialsLaminate FlooringInstructions How Much To BuyUnderlay - You will need to purchase underlay, take measurements of your room: this includes the width and the length. Now multiply the number together. This is the amount of underlay you need squared. For example: you have a room with a width of 6 feet and a length of 8 feet. You will multiply the length and the width: 6 x 8 = 48. You need 48 square feet of underlay for your room. Never buy less than what is needed. In addition, it is suggested you purchase an additional 5% on top of the 48 square feet for cutting: 6 x 8 = 48 x .05 = 2.4; 48 2.4 = 50.4 or 51. You now need 51 square feet of underlay. Laminate Flooring - Again, you use the width and length of your proposed room. You know that your room is 6 feet by 8 feet. Therefore, you need 48 square feet of laminate flooring. Now add the additional 5% for extras. This means you need 51 square feet of laminate flooring. Since each manufacturer will differ in the size of the laminate flooring, this how to lay laminate flooring guide is only going to suggest you discuss this with a sales clerk, or do your own math. The BasicsThere are a few basic tips to getting started that should be followed. Following these simple steps will give you the best laminate flooring you can get. These are the tips that professionals use. Although ever step may not concern your project, these tips will make your job a little bit easier, and a lot better finished product. Tip OneChoose your laminate flooring carefully. Depending on the humidity and temperature of your home, different laminate flooring will work best for you. The package will usually define which parts of the home will work best for the laminate flooring: listen to the suggestion. This is extremely important because improperly chosen flooring will bring nothing but trouble. There is going to be people and maybe animals crossing the flooring. Improperly choosing will cost you more money in the long run. Tip TwoNever just get the laminate flooring home and install. Laminate flooring needs to get used to your home environment. No, mood music will not help, I promise. Instead, you need to let the laminate flooring lay in the room it is going to be installed in for a couple of days before you start your project. Why? Well, unconditioned flooring will warp, twist, and pop right up from where you lay it. Again, this is going to give you the best value for your money and time. Tip ThreePrepare that sub-floor. It is your responsibility to clean that sub-floor thoroughly. If you have anything such as nails or screws protruding from the floor, remove them. If you have loose planks, properly mend this problem before you lay the laminate flooring. The detector is great for finding pipes under the flooring. The last thing you will want is a spouting fountain from punctured plumbing caused by nails or screws. Use a plane to smooth any odd spots. Fill in pesky gaps with putty, and let dry thoroughly before continuing. Finally, before you start the final laying portion of your project, I suggest covering any doors or chimneys with plastic covering to prevent flying debris from entering or leaving your work area. Getting StartedAdding a damp-proof membrane is a great idea even if your sub-floor already has a covering. This is highly recommended for some sub-floor materials over others, but I suggest you add this to your entire floor. This damp-proof membrane will protect your new laminate flooring from moisture, humidity, debris, and household temperature. While this may seem tedious and bothersome, that extra bit of protection is well worth any price. Of course, we can not forget the underlay. This should only be laid on a clean, level, and dry sub-floor. There are a few options for you. Depending on your home environment, your sales clerk can tell you which is best. This is usually done in strips starting at one wall and going to the next. This underlay is on top of the damp-proof membrane. Follow the manufacturer directions to get the most out of your underlay. Do you have any plumbing issues or electrical issues you have been avoiding because it is under the floor? Now is a great time to get those pesky issues fixed. Of course, you will want to make sure that the door will open and close with the new laminate flooring. This how to lay laminate flooring guide suggests that you lay a piece of the flooring where the door can be opened and closed in a sort of test run. If you have difficulties, fix it now. If your door is opening and closing, you may proceed to the next step. Cutting The Laminate FlooringCutting the laminate flooring is best done before hand. The majority of the boards should be cut and ready to install before you even start. However, there are cases where some of the flooring will be cut while you finish up your project. Cut your laminate flooring with a circular saw - don't forget the safety tips - and cut with the decorative side down. This will help protect your laminate flooring from unnecessary damage. Laying The Laminate FlooringOkay, we need to be clear on something from the start. You should always lay your laminate flooring so that it crosses over the beams of your home underneath. This will add strength and longevity to not only your laminate flooring, but your home as well. If you can not lay them across the under beams, you should get at least a 90 angle. This is needed for security. Laminate flooring that runs with your under beams will cause a lot of problems later. The first row should be laid with the tongue facing the wall. You should put two spacers between your wall and the plank. Allow for a 10mm gap that will allow for expansion in the future. Then you add the second plank to the end of the first plank. Again, add the spacers. Get the level and make sure that you have an even line. Now, you get to add the rest of the flooring planks one plank at a time. You will do this in a tongue to groove pattern. Make sure to check for fit before adding any glue - if you are using glue. Stagger the length piece so you get that layered look that makes laminate flooring so darn beautiful. Remember that the pieces should pretty much so lock together. You can use a mallet and tapping block to knock the pieces together, but there should never be any extreme force used. You will injure your flooring planks. Finishing UpYou may have piping or other obstacles in your path. You should measure and cut the boards to fit seamlessly around these obstacles. At his point, you should add molding to the flooring as you deem fit. Floor edging is great to hide that unsightly gap, and you should always glue or nail the floor edging to the wall, not the floor. Now that you have the flooring completed, a simple vacuum of broom will finish up your project. Using a floor cleaner specifically for laminate flooring will add an extra shine to your new floor. About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on flooring ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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