subject: Laminate Floor Installation Benefits From Professional Installation [print this page] Laminate Floor Installation Benefits From Professional Installation
Laminate floor installation can be a big project to take on, especially if you have an older home that has many crooks in the walls or the rooms aren't quite square. This takes more work due to having to carefully cut the laminate to fit properly. Not having the right tools to do the job can also make it far more difficult. Many people have to rent tools to complete the job, even if the room that they are putting the laminate in is square. Combine this with back breaking work, and it is easy to see why hiring a professional to do the job is so popular. However, if you really want to try you hand at laminate floor installation, here are the basic rules to follow.
To start with, you have to remove the flooring that already exists. Preferably down to the subfloor. You simply can't install laminate flooring over other floorings and end up with a professional looking job that will last a lifetime. However, sometimes you can install over linoleum if it was glued down fully, not just at the edges. You also need to remove the baseboards. Laminate floor installation requires that the laminate fit snugly under the baseboards. Be careful with this part of the process so that you don't crack or break the baseboard. If you do, you will have to purchase new baseboard and install that, too.
Once you get down to the subfloor, you need to make sure that it is completely level. Any cracks, dips, divots, and holes must be attended too. Not doing this can warp or even cause your new laminate floor to be damaged or break under foot traffic. Now that's taken care of, clean the floor very well. It is recommended that you not only sweep and mop, but run a vacuum over the surface and along the edges to make sure that all debris is eliminated.
Always put an underlay under your laminate. This is simple to do, just unroll it and cut it to fit. Tape it together so that it doesn't shift while you are working. Without this very important item, your new laminate flooring can harbor and grow mold or mildew, which will cause odors and ruin the floor at the very least. Some mildew can even make you and your family very ill.
Begin the actual laminate floor installation in the middle of the room. Since the pieces snap together, it would seem a simple process, but you need to take care not to line up the sections evenly. Part of the charm of the floor is in the design of the planking. You also need to tap the board into place for a secure fit. Do this by using a small piece of scrap laminate and a rubber mallet. Lay the scrap against the edge, and tap it to force the sections to fit together more snug. Continue to do this until it is all placed.
Simply put the baseboards back on and give it a good cleaning. You can enjoy the beauty of your new floor immediately. However, if you have any trepidation about not being able to do the job accurately, or if time is a serious factor, it is always best to turn to a professional to get the job done, and done right.
