Installing Laminate Floor

For many homeowners, installing laminate floor has been the home improvement project of choice because it is a durable flooring that requires little maintenance.

Before installing laminate flooring it is important to prep the floor. If you plan to replace carpet this will require:

• Pulling up carpet and padding
• Removing tack strips
• Removing residual padding stuck to the floor (use a scraper) and vacuuming
• Leveling dips in the floor
• Removing the baseboards -- Do this with care and you you'll be able to reuse them.
• Cut off a quarter inch to three-eighths of an inch from the bottoms of door jambs, case openings, etc. How much you cut off will depend on the thickness of the flooring and underlyament pad you plan to install.

Buy your laminate floor from a reputable dealer that you know will be there if by chance you need to order more flooring due to a defect or error on your part. To know how much flooring and underlayment to order, measure the square footage of the room or area where you plan to install the floor.

Square footage is determined by multiplying the room's width by the length. It's a good idea to order at least 5 percent over your calculated square footage to make sure you'll have enough.

Once your floor is clean and leveled and you've trimmed the door jambs, etc. it's time to roll out the underlayment pad. Underlayment is used to absorb minor imperfections in the sub-floor, to deaden the noise when walking on the floor and reduce overhead sound in rooms below. When installing laminate flooring in your home, check the manufacturer's recommendations and use underlayment they approve.

• Cork
• Standard foam
• Foam/film combination
• Floor Muffler brand
• Modified/upgraded underlayment

Once you roll out your underlayment pad, connect the pieces with wide, clear, plastic tape.

Laminate flooring is a kind of floating floor. This means that the floor is joined to itself but not to the subfloor. Due to this, it is necessary to leave a quarter inch of clearance at the walls.

Laminate planks are relatively easy to snap together. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions before your start. As you lay the floor, don't forget to stagger the joints. Use your rubber mallet and pull bar to keep things snug with a few gentle taps.

After you finish installing your floor, check it thoroughly before you install the baseboards. Be careful not to nail into the floating floor. If you have accidentally cut a few planks too short and the baseboard doesn't cover the gap, use quarter round at the floor line to hide the flaw.

Not only does laminate flooring require less maintenance than hardwood floors, it is also easier to install. The tools you'll need for installation include:

• Coping saw
• Hammer
• Laminate flooring pull bar
• Nails
• Rubber mallet
• Tape measure
• Utility knife

After you install your laminate floor, you'll want to be sure to take care of it to keep it looking new. These basic laminate floor care tips will help:

• Sweep regularly to minimize scratching by sand or dirt
• Use a damp, but not sopping wet, mop
• Do not use wax or polish

If you take care of your new floor, it will look good and last you for years.

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