Installing Laminate Flooring

 

You may have decided that you want to install laminate flooring in your home and if this is the case then you might be looking for some help on how to do this. Laminate flooring can be quite easy to install provided you know what you are doing. If you want some tips on how this can be done then read on:

  • The first thing to do is to prepare the floor where you are going to install you flooring. Laminate flooring is often referred to as a floating floor because it is not nailed or glued down and is simply laid on top of the floor and clicked into place. This means that the floor underneath the laminate has to be prepared first. Laminate flooring can be laid on top of tiles, concrete, vinyl or natural stone to name a few. However, you need to ensure that the floor is level before you start to lay your laminate slats. The floor should be levelled out and any dirt and dust should be swept up. You may then want to lay under flooring as this will ensure that the floors are not to noisy.

  • You will then have to consider the amount of laminate flooring that you need. It is essential that you have enough boards to do the job plus a few extras for wastage. You need to ensure that you don’t buy too few boards because this would be disastrous if you get to the end and discover you don’t have enough to complete the job especially if you can’t get your hands on any more slats.

  • You will have to consider which way you are going to lay your laminate flooring. Most people will choose to lay the flooring in the direction which is parallel to the way the light comes into the room.

  • Once you have lain the under flooring across the floor, you can start to lay your laminate slats. It is advisable to start at the biggest wall and move in the direction you going to lay the floor. The first slat should be laid in the corner nearest to the biggest wall and then you can attach the next slat at the end of this and carry on until you meet the end of the wall. When laying the next layer you should cut the plank in half so that the ends of the wooden slats are not side by side. Carry on laying and cutting the planks until you have reached across the room.

  • The last thing to do is to finish off around the edges. Many people will choose to add baseboards or trims to give the floor a more professional appearance.