How to Install Laminate Flooring?
The right flooring can improve the functionality of a space and transform its appearance. Known for its durability, low maintenance and stunning aesthetic, laminate flooring can be a great option for homes and workspaces.
From Goodfellow’s Atlantique and Desert Dunes to Armstrong Flooring’s Park Avenue and Reserve Premium, there are a variety of finishes and colours to explore. Whether you’re aiming for a traditional feel or want to add a contemporary twist to your interior design, laminate flooring is the perfect solution.
As well as enhancing your décor and increasing the versatility of a room, laminate flooring is also easy to install. In fact, most homeowners are able to fit laminate flooring themselves, without any need for expert assistance. Not only does this reduce the cost of your new flooring, but it also means you can get your next home improvement project underway without any delays. To get started, take a look at this step-by-step guide to installing laminate flooring:
- Choose Your New Flooring
The first task is to choose your new laminate flooring. With so many styles and finishes to consider, this can be trickier than you think! If you’re undecided, use our online visualizer to get a clearer idea of exactly how a particular floor will look in your property. Alternatively, arrange a visit to our showroom, so you can see and feel the different styles of flooring.
- Clear the Area
Once you’ve decided exactly which laminate flooring to use, you’ll be ready to clear the area, ready for your new flooring to be fitted. Removing furniture and existing flooring, such as carpets, gives you easy access to space you’ll be working on and it also makes it easier to measure the space. You can also remove baseboards if you choose to, so that laminate flooring can be fitted more easily.
Use a standard or electronic tape measure to take detailed measurements of the space you want to add laminate flooring to so that you can ensure you have enough materials to complete the project.
- Assemble Tools and Materials
You will not need much in the way of tools to install new laminate flooring, but it’s helpful to ensure you’ve got everything you need to hand before you get started. You should always wear safety goggles and a face mask when undertaking any DIY task, for example, and a spirit level, small hammer and saw can come in handy when you’re installing laminate flooring.
- Check the Subfloor
The subfloor is whatever lies beneath the decorative flooring, which is usually concrete or tile. If the subfloor in the area is concrete, check that it has a moisture level of 4.5% or less before you lay laminate flooring. If the subfloor is patchy or uneven, you can add more concrete to level it out. However, this is a task that’s often best carried out by professionals, particularly if you have limited DIY experience. Similarly, tile should be repaired if it’s cracked, and grout should be added so that the floor is the same height across.
- Install Underlayer
Before you install laminate flooring, you’ll need to install an underlayer. This is plastic sheeting that simply needs to be laid on the floor and cut to size in order to act as a moisture barrier between the subfloor and the soon-to-be-installed laminate.
Some property owners also choose to install a vapour barrier and a sound barrier before adding laminate flooring. These are fitted in the same way, although a sound barrier is typically made out of soft foam and helps to reduce the sound of anyone walking on the laminate flooring when it’s fitted.
- Install the Laminate Flooring
Most laminate flooring comes in the form of planks with a lock-and-fold installing system. This means you can simply click the boards into place, without the need to glue them. However, some people still use a tapping tool and small hammer to gently fix the boards into place.
Before you begin affixing the planks to one another, start by laying the flooring out in its intended position. Start at the corner of the longest wall and work your way back across the room. This will allow you to see the floor design before it’s fixed into place and will also give the laminate time to adjust to the temperature and humidity in the room.
When you’ve laid the laminate in place, you’ll also be able to mark planks that need to be cut. Using a hand saw or electric saw, carefully cut planks so that they fit the dimensions of the space. Once you’re happy with the floor design, you can begin fixing the laminate into place, leaving a small gap between the planks and the surrounding walls.
- Replace the Baseboards
If you removed the baseboards prior to installing your new flooring, you can refinish and reinstall them now. Alternatively, you may want to purchase and fit new baseboards to enhance the impact of your new floor.
If you didn’t remove the baseboards prior to installing laminate flooring, you can add a decorative floor trim at the edge of your flooring. This matches the floor and ensures you can leave a gap between the laminate and baseboard, without it being visible.
- Enjoy Your New Floor
With the floor fitted and the baseboards reinstalled, you can stand back and admire the fruits of your labour! Give the laminate time to settle before moving furniture back into the area and, when you’ve done this, you can begin enjoying your new décor.
Choosing the Right Laminate Floor
With so many options to consider, you’ll want to take your time when you’re choosing a new floor. By comparing different styles, thicknesses and finishes, you can ensure that you make the best choice for the space, regardless of whether you’re installing laminate at home or in a workspace.
To find out more or to arrange a free consultation with one of our flooring experts, contact Ottawa Diamond Flooring now at 613-274-3535.
