Are you looking for a way to upgrade your home with a new floor that is affordable, easy to maintain, and stylish? If so, laminate flooring might be the perfect choice for you. Laminate flooring is a type of synthetic flooring that consists of planks that snap together with a tongue-and-groove system. Laminate planks can imitate the appearance of wood, stone, or tile, and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Laminate flooring is also durable, resistant to scratches and stains, and suitable for almost any room in your home.
But what if you want to save money and install laminate flooring yourself? Is it possible to do it without hiring a professional? The answer is yes! Installing laminate flooring is a relatively simple DIY project that you can complete on a weekend with some basic tools and materials. In this guide, we will show you how to install laminate flooring in six easy steps.
Step 1: Prepare the Area.
The first step to installing laminate flooring is to prepare the area where you want to install it. This involves removing the old flooring, baseboards, and molding from the room. You also need to clean and level the subfloor with a vacuum and a pitching compound if needed. Next, you need to lay down a vapor barrier over the subfloor to protect the laminate planks from moisture damage. Finally, you need to let the laminate planks acclimate to the room’s temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours by laying them out in the room.
Step 2: Prepare the Door Jambs.
The next step is to prepare the door jambs so that the laminate planks can fit under them for a seamless look. To do this, you will need a jamb saw and a plank of flooring on top of the underlayment and against the door jamb. Then, use a pencil to mark the height of the plank on the jamb. Cut along the mark with the jamb saw and remove excess wood.
Step 3: Plan the First and Last rows.
To ensure a balanced layout of your floor, you need to plan the first and last rows of the planks. Measure the width of the room from the longest wall and divide it by the width of one plank. This will tell you how many planks you need for each row and what the width of the last row should be. Ideally, you want to avoid having narrow planks on either side of the room, so you may need to adjust your measurements accordingly. Remember to leave a 3/85-inch gap along both walls for expansion.
Step 4: Install the flooring.
Now comes the fun part: installing the laminate planks. Start from one corner of the room and work your way across. Match the tongue and groove of each plank and snap them together with firm pressure. You may need to use a pull bar, a pray bar, and a rubber mallet to fit the planks snugly. Cut the planks as needed with a hand saw a circular saw, or a flooring cutter. Make sure to stagger the joints between rows for a natural look.
Step 5: Install the Last Row
The last row of planks may need to be ripped to fit the remaining space. To do this, measure the width of the gap between the last installed row and the wall. Subtract 3/8 inch from this measurement and mark it on each plank of the last row. Cut along the marks with a saw and install them as usual. Use spacers to maintain the gap along the wall.
Step 6: Install the Transition prices and Molding.
The final step is to install the transition pieces and molding to cover the gaps and finish the look of your floor. Transition pieces are used to connect different types of flooring or different levels of flooring in adjacent rooms. Molding is used to cover the gaps between the floor and the wall. To install the transition pieces, you will need to cut them into sizes and attach them with glue or nails. To install the molding, you must cut it to length and nail it to the wall, not the floor. Use caulk to seal any gaps around the door jambs.
You did it! You have successfully installed your new laminate floor! Enjoy your beautiful and durable floors.
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