The Fast and Simple Way of Installing Laminate Flooring Installing laminate flooring is an easy, straightforward task. Laminate floors are usually called ‘floating floors’ because they are not exactly glued or nailed to the sub-floor. In fact, the pieces of laminate flooring are attached to one another and ‘float’ above the sub-floor. The floating allows the flooring to expand with temperature and to other environmental changes so that it settles properly into the room. The process of installation for laminate flooring is so easy that anyone can get it done, also saving you time and money. The parts of laminate flooring use connectors also called interlocking systems which allow you to easily click and attach the pieces together. It will depend on the laminate you use, you may choose one of three kinds of installation procedures – glue, glue-less, or pre-glued. The method used, together with the quality of the flooring, will influence the lifespan and functionality of your laminate flooring. Getting Ready for Installation To begin with, remove all home furniture, appliances, and breakables from the room where you will do the installation. It is suggested that you should have a clean and uncluttered work area. After that, remove the existing flooring as needed. Laminate can be mounted atop almost any flooring type except for the carpet. Though, for a cleaner installation you might want to remove other flooring types. Along with this, ensure if you will eventually be changing the height of your flooring. If so, you would want to adjust your doors accordingly so they can still be open and close easily. Before installation, you need to give the laminate some time to adapt to your home’s conditions. Place the boxes of flooring lying flat in rooms where it will be installed for 48 hours before installation so that the flooring can adjust to the climate of your home or building.
Lastly, you may need to lay a piece of foam, polyurethane, or the same product down and install the laminate on top of it. Doing so will help to support the floor, absorb sound, and prevent moisture from wicking up and damaging the laminate. Consult with your floor’s manufacturer to check if this is necessary. Installing Laminate Flooring Even though you can hire someone to install laminate flooring for you, still you can save a huge amount of money by installing it yourself. No matter what method of installation you choose, you should have to remember that your ‘floating floor’ needs a bit of room to expand and contract. Be sure to leave small gaps against the walls. Don’t worry – the gaps will be covered by the baseboard and you will not even know they are there. Applying the Glue-Less Procedure Glue-less laminate flooring is probably the most popular and easiest type for installation. The parts of flooring are designed with a unique tongue-and-groove system which allows the pieces to easily connect. All you have to do is take two pieces and click them together and repeat as needed. This method is definitely easy to learn and saves you the mess of gluing pieces together. The one downside is that glue-less laminate flooring may cost a bit more than other types. Using the Glue Procedure As the name implies, the pieces of laminate flooring are glued together instead of simply being snapped into place. You may also have to use special fillers or sealants, as well as wedges and tapping blocks to get the right spacing and fill in any gaps. The pieces may stick together better this way, however this method can be a bit messy. Using the Pre-Glued Procedure Pre-glued laminate flooring is a hybrid of the other installation methods. The pieces are glued together; however the glue is already on the pieces. This process is a little less messy than the glue method, but may require the same special tools. Once you have installed your flooring, it is best if you can stay off it for at least 24 hours. If possible, do not bring your furniture or appliances back in immediately, and minimize walking on the floor until the flooring will dry off and settle into
place. This will eventually lengthen the life of your floor, offering you years of enjoyment. Laminate floors are not only easy to install, but also are a great investment. They can raise the value of your home, and can grant you years of satisfaction.