DIY Tips For The Installation Of Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is typically made of pressboard or particle board, with a wood or plastic veneer. The manufacturing process gives the look of real wood or stone, at a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring has become so advanced that in some cases it can be hard to distinguish the laminate from hardwood; the main difference is the ease of installation. Laminate planks simply snap together, and no adhesive or nails are required. The planks float on a foam pad instead of being glued down. Almost any do-it-yourselfer can install laminate flooring, with no special tools and minimal prep. Here's how to do it:
Remove baseboards or shoe molding carefully- don't crack it, or you won't be able to reinstall it later. Use a hammer and pry bar to remove each nail from the trim, and if there is carpet present, you will need to remove that as well. Laminate can be laid over almost any hard and level surface, but before installation, make sure there are no nail heads or other blockages.
When the floor is clean and ready, it's time to lay the foam underlay. Roll the first row along the longest wall, stopping about a quarter inch from the wall. Cut it at the row's end with a straight edge and razor knife, and roll the second row right alongside the first, making sure the pieces do not overlap. Join the rows with plastic tape (which should come with your installation kit), and continue in a similar fashion until the entire floor is covered.
Lay the first row of planks, end to end along the longest wall. Snap the ends together, and use a miter saw to cut the final piece. Again, you should leave a quarter-inch gap near the wall. Lay subsequent rows in the same way, and ensure that pieces don't line up at the ends. Use a jig saw for corner cuts, and continue until the job is finished. Reinstall the shoe molding, which will both cover the quarter-inch gap and hold the laminate in place.