Using laminate flooring is one of the most common trends in house renovations today. Laminate flooring materials were introduced to the US market in the early 1990s, and since then, the demand of this material has grown exponentially.
There are numerous reasons why more and more homeowners now prefer this flooring over traditional carpets or vinyl.
Aside from being affordable, it requires little maintenance, and you can install it in an easy DIY fashion.
You Don’t Need To Be A Carpenter
One of the best reasons why laminate floors became a choice for many homes is that it does not require expensive installation. Since it is designed to sit on top of an old floor, laminate flooring does not need homeowners to be experts in renovating or decorating. You will simply have to figure out how and where to start the installation.
Consider Where You Will Install
Laminate floors are made of natural cellulose fiber, which easily react to its environment. For DIY installation, it will be helpful if you consider the area where you will be putting the new floor. Laminate works best in humid areas like your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. This is because they are designed with a tongue and groove connection; they stay attached together while still having enough room to adjust according to humidity.
Prepare Your Tools
Like in any DIY projects, installing your own laminate floors will be easier if you prepare the right tools ahead of time. Typically, the tools will depend on the kind of floor that you currently have, as well as the size of the project. Here are some of the things that you’ll need:
- Laminate flooring
- Laminate glue
- Underlayer
- Adhesive
- Barrier sheeting
- Polyethylene tape
- Plastic sheeting to protect furniture or close off other areas
Proper Installation
Before you start with the actual installation, prepare the area where you will be laying your new floor. Existing floors should be flat; any low spots should be covered with a leveling material. If you have a concrete sub-floor, you should grind off any inconsistencies. In addition, if you used carpeting in the past, make sure all the carpet padding and carpets are completely removed. Clear the whole area with debris or adhesive residue.
You will have to remove the doors and the trim. If you want, you can also remove the baseboard. At the end of the project, you may have to reinstall new quarter moldings to cover the area. You will also need to take care of the under-layer. Most laminate floors are noisy without the proper under-layer cushions.
You need to measure the whole area where you will be installing the floor. Take your complete measurements and add at least 10{13d535ddeae1a90f42b9ff1586906b2be87669b7e44aacb62d19711cfd014a97} for any waste. Take note of the room’s humidity, and if this is anywhere between 40 – 65{13d535ddeae1a90f42b9ff1586906b2be87669b7e44aacb62d19711cfd014a97}, include a quarter of an inch allowance to accommodate for expansions. You will also need to review the manufacturer’s instructions; some will require that their products be acclimated for some days before actual installation.
Changing your floor is one sure-fire way to update the look and feel of your home. Using laminate flooring will cost you very little. It does not require expensive tools or services for installation and will last plenty of years.
Leave a Reply