Boardwalk empire

from Bunnings Magazine May/June 2023

TRADE SERVICES

REINVENT YOUR ROOM WITH A NEW LAMINATE FLOOR. FIND OUT HOW WITH THESE NEED-TOKNOW TIPS AND DIY CHECKLIST

Words SHELLEY TUSTIN and LORNA GOW

Photography JAMES MOFFATT Styling SAMANTHA POINTON

Abeautiful room starts from the ground up, and if your current flooring is letting you down, floating laminate floorboards could be the simple fix of your dreams. Not only do they offer all the warmth and character of real timber for a fraction of the cost, they are a fast solution you can DIY in a weekend. We’ve stepped out all you need to know, from product decisions to how to set about your very own floor revamp.

Decisions, decisions

Among the many benefits of laminate flooring is the incredible range of styles and designs available. There are products created to replicate timbers including oak, blackbutt and spotted gum, in every shade from sandy pale to almost black, and in board layout patterns from straight brick to basket, chevron or herringbone. Aside from looks, consider your lifestyle – a hectic home with kids and pets needs the most hardwearing surface, and laminate flooring is extremely durable. It also comes in a more waterproof ‘hybrid’ option, designed to even better withstand liquid spills and high humidity.

What lies beneath

Laminate boards can be laid over virtually any floor surface, as long as it’s in reasonable condition: clean, level, structurally sound and dry. Before laying your new floor, you need to install an underlay – this adds insulation and muffles noise underfoot, but most importantly will help to protect the laminate from any moisture that may come up through the subfloor. Some laminate products come with underlay already attached to each board.

On the edge

If you have skirting boards, it’s a good idea to remove them before laying a laminate floor. While it is possible to lay the flooring without removing the skirting boards first, you won’t get a perfect, professional finish and there will likely be a visible gap where the floorboards butt up against the skirting. Instead, carefully lever off the skirting boards and replace them when you’re done, so they neatly overlap the laminate. If you can’t remove the skirting, another option is to install narrow timber moulding to cover the gap as an attractive trim.

LEFT Verve Design ‘Alice’ adjustable head floor lamp in Brushed Chrome, $71.06, I/N: 0261998 (globe sold separately). Rubber plant in Northcote Pottery ‘Stone Art’ 38cm egg pot in Grey, $50.98, I/N: 0044429 (plant sold separately). The Rug Republic ‘Roma’ 230cm x 160cm semi twisted wool rug in White, $479, I/N: 0117815†. Parlour palm plant. Floor Select 8mm bevelled edge laminate flooring in Celestial Ash, $23/sqm, $48.99/pack of 9 boards (2.13sqm), I/N: 0135642. Lounge chair and side table, L3 Home. All other products, stylist’s own. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered. This product is available to buy online only and is sold and delivered by a Bunnings Marketplace Trusted Seller. Not all items are available in all states and territories. Delivery charges may apply.

Find great installation tips here: bunnings.com. au/lay-laminate-flooring

Laminate Flooring Checklist

So, you’re ready to take the plunge and tackle DIY floating floorboards for the first time? Here’s what you need to do...

Keep in mind...

n When using power cutting tools, always wear the appropriate safety gear, follow the instructions for the product or equipment and work in a well-ventilated area.

A smooth, level subfloor or substrate is optimal when laying floating boards on top. If the subfloor is concrete, remove any fitted carpet or loose bits of old flooring, give it a sweep, then lay a 2m straightedge or spirit level across it. Get down and check for gaps between the straightedge and the subfloor – if there are any more than 3mm deep, you’re going to need a levelling compound For timber, ply or particleboard subfloors, check for loose sections and fix or replace to level. Laminate boards can also be laid over a tiled subfloor as is, so long as it’s flat and the grout lines are less than 2mm wide and deep.

2 Now the real fun begins: shopping! To calculate the amount of materials you’ll need and get a sense of budget, first measure the room width and length to establish the area. Many brands of flooring have a useful table on the packaging to help you work out the number of packs required but, if you’re unsure, ask a flooring department team member in store. Once that’s sorted, browse the range online or in store, keeping a note of the details of your favourites – the item number (I/N) of each product will help most during this research, and for checking availability.

3 You’ve made your final selection of laminate boards so, next, make sure you have factored in all the other necessary bits and pieces. Some brands come with an installation kit but, if yours doesn’t, pop one in your trolley. You’ll need 10mm flooring spacers, plus a tapping block and pulling bar (included in the kit) which will probably come in handy for tight spots. Appropriate underlay is essential – check with the board manufacturer or in store to ensure what you choose is fit for the task – as is adequate safety gear (mask, plus eye and ear protection).

I/N: 0279277. 2

16oz (450g) fibreglass rubber mallet in White,

Finally, ensure you’re kitted out with the right tools. Experts recommend starting the first row of boards from the left corner of the room, but if that left-hand wall isn’t dead straight, a chalk line will help save the day. For paler-hued boards, consider using a white rubber mallet, which is less likely to leave marks than black. Flooring invariably involves a lot of cutting, so check your circular saw (for straight cuts and rips) and jigsaw (for the fiddly bits) are up to scratch. All that’s left now is to read your board packaging instructions thoroughly, browse how-to videos (see Watch it!, above), and get geared up to expand your DIY skill set.

I/N: 0131369. 3 Capitol laminate floor DIY

I/N: 0960147. 5 30m chalk line and reel, $8.32, I/N: 0267443. 6 QEP 2mm laminate floating floor underlay in Silver, $45/10m, I/N: 6650148. 7 Floor Select ‘Tarragona’ 8mm water resistant laminate flooring in Walnut, $35/sqm, $94.15/ pack of 8 boards (2.69sqm), I/N: 0135648. 8 HanWood ‘Comfort’ 7mm laminate flooring in Platinum Oak, $15/sqm, $43.05/pack of 12 boards (2.87sqm), I/N: 0180026. 9 HanWood ‘Elegance’ 8mm laminate flooring in Chevron Design, $71.49/sqm, $158/pack of 6 boards (2.2sqm), I/N: 0144285†. 10 Medina ‘Santos’ 12mm laminate flooring in Mahogany, $42.67/sqm, $55.47/1.3sqm, I/N: 0115528†. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

$37.64, I/N: 6821274. 4 Dunlop ‘Ardit’

LEVELLING

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