Introduction
Laminate flooring can be used when it comes to sprucing up your home for aesthetic and practical purposes. Whether you’re embarking on your own home improvement project or enlisting the help of a professional installer, tedious scrolling through exhaustive lists can make the installation process run more smoothly and be more successful. CCTFLOORING knows that accuracy and preparation are key to keep your laminate floor from wearing out too soon. In this ultimate checklist we walk you through all the essential steps you need to take for a perfect installation.
1. Gather Tools & Components
Before you begin, ensure that you have all the necessary tools and materials for a smooth installation. You’ll need:
- Laminate flooring planks
- Underlayment
- Measuring tape
- Utility knife
- Spacers
- Tapping block and pull bar
- Safety goggles and knee pads
- Saw (circular saw or jigsaw)
Once installation has begun, you do not want to waste time and money waiting for the tools you need to arrive, so CCTFLOORING suggests double checking your tools.
2. Prepare the Subfloor
Make sure to level your subfloor, a clean even surface is vital to have your Laminate flooring sit flush and tight. Remove debris and look for dips. Concrete, plywood or existing vinyl floors are all appropriate subflooring, but they need to be dry and smooth. CCTFLOORING also recommends using a moisture barrier if you’re installing over concrete to avoid water damage.
3. Acclimatize Your Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring requires acclimation to your home’s temperature and humidity. Let the flooring planks acclimate in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours. This ensures it has not expanded or contracted after being installed too, which can help to prevent any potential gaps or buckling.
4. Plan Your Layout
Good planning makes sure your floors line up properly and you avoid spacing issues at corners and doorways. Decide which way you want the planks to run (generally, running the planks parallel to the longest wall will create a greater sense of space). It is recommended by CCTFLOORING that prior to beginning, you should dry lay out a few rows without glue to see how it looks.
5. Install the Underlayment
Underlayment acts as a buffer between the floor and the underlayment so that it helps with the longevity of the flooring as well as providing comfort at the same time. Roll out the underlayment over the subfloor, cutting the edges to fit, and fasten the seams together with tape. Correctly installing underlayment helps planks lie more seamlessly and deadens the sounds that make the floor creak underfoot.
6. Leave Expansion Gaps
Laminate floor expands and contracts according to temperature and humidity changes. Use spacers to keep an expansion gap — about ¼ inch will do — along walls, door frames and other fixed structures to help prevent buckling. CCTFLOORING emphasises the significance of these gaps in order to maintain the flooring’s longevity.
7. Begin Installing the Planks
Start in a corner of the room and move from there. Most laminate floors already have a click-lock design that allows planks to snap together quickly and easily. Stagger the seams between the rows for a natural look and strength. Lock the planks using a tapping block and a hammer without compressing the edges.
8. Cut Planks for a Perfect Fit
You may also have to trim planks to fit around edges, corners and door frames. Mark your measurements and cut with a jigsaw or circular saw. To reduce chipping on the face side, CCTFLOORING advice cutting planks face-up.
9. Install Transitions and Trim
When all the planks are laid down, apply finishing touches such as expansion strips between rooms and quarter-round molding along edges. We added these finishing touches to complete the look and hold the edges of your laminate floor in place.
10 . Clean Up and Inspect
Lastly, take out spacers and lightly clean the floor to clear out any dust or debris. Walk the whole floor and listen for loose planks and underfoot gaps. CCTFLOORING recommends taking care of any minor adjustments in the timing to ensure that your floor will be available for everyday use quickly.
Installing laminate flooring is a great way to refresh your home with a sleek, modern look, and following a detailed checklist ensures a smooth and efficient process. From removing old flooring to properly acclimating the laminate planks, preparation is key. For homeowners dealing with limited space or working in multiple rooms, temporarily storing furniture and household items can make the installation more manageable. This is where storage units like the storage units Saint John prove useful, offering a convenient and secure space to keep belongings out of the way, allowing for a clutter-free and stress-free renovation experience.
Conclusion
If you know how to prepare things and how to handle the job, installing laminate flooring can prove to be a rewarding DIY project. This ultimate checklist will help you navigate the road to a successful outcome, one that not only transforms your home, but also increases its value and appeal. Whether updating one room or your entire home, CCTFLOORING can give the know-how, products and assistance you need to get the flooring you want. With the right maintenance, your new laminate floor will serve you beauty and endurance for years to come.