How to Install Laminate Floors and Make Them Last for Decades
Laminate floors are quickly becoming a favorite option amongst homeowners everywhere. They give you the realistic look of hardwood while not only being durable but very cheap to install. A small room can be easily completed in a day by someone who has never installed a floor before. And with the proper care and maintenance, a laminate floor will last you for decades.
How to Install Laminate Flooring
Your options for installation are to have a professional do it for you or to do it yourself. A professional will install laminate floors for a more affordable price than hardwood floors since installation is simpler. For the same reason, installing a laminate floor is also going to be easier to do it yourself. Since you’re reading this article, I’m assuming you’re interested in installing the floor. So let’s get started with a look at what you’ll be doing.
Research - Start by researching what you’ll need for the installation. For supplies, at the minimum, you’ll need a tool to cut the planks and a hammer to tightly fit them together. Find out if you need an underlayment for your laminate floor. You’ll probably need one unless your planks come with an underlayment layer. Does the subfloor need any extra preparations? Are you removing carpet or hardwood?
Gather Supplies - Gather the supplies and tools you need to install the floor. Measure your floor coverage and buy 5-10% extra laminate to allow for mistakes and cutting. Leave the planks in the room you’re installing them for up to 3 days to acclimate the material to the humidity in the room. This helps make sure that the planks will fit their best when you install the floor. Make sure you have the tools you need to remove any existing carpet, baseboards, nails, or extra materials. If you need to level the subfloor, get a level, leveling compound, or a concrete grinder to get the job done.
Prepare the Subfloor - Your laminate floor will need to be on a clean, dry, and level surface. Remove any extra material. Level the subfloor using leveling compound or a grinder. Vacuum and clean the subfloor as needed.
Lay Underlayment or Moisture Barrier - If your laminate comes with an underlayment, then you can ignore this section. In most cases, you’re going to want an underlayment for your laminate floor. An underlayment helps keep out moisture, level out any small subfloor defects, and give you extra padding for cushion and sound absorption. If your subfloor is clean and level, or if you decide that you don’t want an underlayment, at the very least, you should lay down a moisture barrier to protect your new floor.
Install the Laminate Floor - Follow any instructions for your laminate floor. Pick the straightest wall possible to start laying the laminate. Using spacers along the wall, leave a small ¼” gap from the wall to let the floor expand with humidity and temperature. Work row by row and use a hammer to tap planks together as tightly as possible. You don’t want any dirty to fall through the cracks of your floor.
Finishing Touches - Install baseboards and shoe molding after the floor is finished. Once the caulk from the baseboards is dry, you’re ready to start using your laminate floor immediately!
Enjoy the results of your work! With the right care and maintenance, laminate floors will last as long as you’ll let them, which leads us right into how to maintain your floor. Check out this video:
How to Maintain your Laminate Floor to its Maximum Lifespan
Laminate floors are durable, but they’re not invincible. With the proper care, your laminate floor can last you for decades. The lifespan of a typical laminate floor can be as much as 30 years depending on its use and care. Here are three basic principles to preserve your floor.
Clean - As simple as it sounds, the best thing you can do for your floor is to keep it clean. Dust and debris lead to wear and scratches. Start off by selecting a great vacuum for laminate floor care. By keeping your floors as clean as possible, you’re guaranteeing that they’ll last as long as possible.
Dry - Water is the biggest killer of laminate floors. If you have a spill or your floor gets wet, clean it up as soon as possible. On this note, avoid heavy mopping. Excess water will seep through the cracks of your floor and damage the sensitive layers of your floor.
Protect - Use floor protectors on furnitures to prevent scratching and lay doormats wherever appropriate. One of the disadvantages of laminate floors is that they can’t be refinished like hardwood floors. This means that it’s even more important to prevent any wear of the floor. Laminate floors are extremely durable, but that means once they start wearing down, there’s little turning back.
If your laminate floor is ever damaged, you can also buy different types of putty to fill in nicks and scratches to keep your floor looking like new. But with some care, you can enjoy your new laminate floor for years to come.