Hardwood Laminate Flooring Installation Guide

1. Hardwood Laminate Flooring Installation Guide

2. Introduction: Laminate floors are more than just durable and spectacular as Installing hardwood laminate flooring is one of the easiest things to do. Laminate wooden floors are ideal for high traffic areas, can resist scratches or wear and tear and moisture. An average hardwood laminate flooring installation cost per foot is $6 to $8. This cost includes underlayment, floor adhesives, etc. However, with a few simple guidelines, you can install a new laminate flooring in your home in no time. So, here is a step by step hardwood laminate flooring installation guide for you.

3. Things you will Need: To install the laminate flooring you will need a few things like pencil, tape measure, utility knife, spacing blocks, tapping block, pry bar, hammer, hand saw or table saw. You will also need shoe molding, underlayment, finishing nails and laminate flooring.

4. Installation Process: Step 1: Prior to installation, a flooring should sit on the floor for at least, 48 hours so the flooring can expand and contract as per the temperature and humidity level in the room. It will prevent hooking and other issues which may arise after installation. Step 2: Remove the baseboard: The existing baseboard molding needs to be removed now. Take a pry bar and remove the baseboard from the wall. You need to set pieces aside for installing them again. You need a hard and smooth surface like vinyl to install floating laminate planks. If the existing floor is spoilt then remove it, so the subfloor can be revealed.

5. Step wise Installation Tips: Step 3: Installing the underlayment: Before you roll the underlayment, clean the floor properly and remove debris, staples, nails, etc. To cut the pieces use the utility knife and do not overlap the joining strips. Underlayment is useful to numb the floor sound so the floor feels more strong. Step 4: Layout planning: As you decide to lay the planks in a particular direction, check the wall that is longest and straight. A narrow strip should not be placed against the focal point wall. In the last row, planks should be 2 inches wide. At every wall, there should be a gap of a ¼ inch. There may be a possibility that the last row is 2 inches wide, so add that width to the width of a full plank and it must be divided by 2. So, cut the planks accordingly in the last and first row as per this width.

6. Read For more Step : Step 5: Cutting the first row and leaving the gaps: As per the decided layout, you will need to rip and cut the first row of planks lengthwise. If you are using a finished saw then cut using the finished side down. If you are using a hand saw then cut using the finished side up. Make use of clamps so the planks can be in a steady position while you cut them. Wedge the space chips between the wall and planks so you can leave an expansion gap of ¼ inches. Step 6: Installing the first row: To install the planks make sure the tongue side is facing the wall and using the grooves and tongues, join one plank to another. Mostly, you will find it comfortable to connect the planks with hands or you may need a pull bar as well as a hammer to pull the planks together or you may need the tapping block to tap the joints together. The last plank should be cut in the row to length and if the straps are 12 inches long then save these.

7. How to Start a New Row Using : Step 7: Installing extra rows: As you snap on the new rows stagger the seams at least 12 inches in the following rows. You can even start a new row using a scrap from the plank that is cut to end the last row. Step 8: Installing the last row: You will need to slide the planks in a particular position at a proper angle and then pry these gently in a place using the pry bar. You should leave an expansion gap between the wall and the last row of 1/4th inches. Step 9: Cut around the door casings: Don’t try cutting the planks to fit around the door casings but use the jamb saw to cut the door casing at least 1/16 inches above the flooring height so there should be some room for the plank to slide easily under the casing. Rest a flooring piece with underlayment on the floor and against the casing. Now, on the top rest, the jamb saw to cut the casing at a required height.

8. Last step : Step 10: Reinstalling the trim: This is the last step. Once the planks are in place, reinstall baseboard molding with the help of hammer and nails. Now install the show molding over the expansion joints and make use of the transition strips to join the laminate with the surface like carpet or tile. You don’t need to nail through the floor. You just have to trim and wall.

9. Conclusion: Follow these steps to install the floor or get in touch with the reputed Salt Lake City hardwood flooring contractors near your area in Utah who can do the job for you at a reasonable price. You can ask the contractor to send you an estimated budget for installing the laminate floor. Most of the reputed contractors are happy to share the hardwood laminate flooring estimate with the clients and offer a supreme service.