Installing Laminate Flooring

Avoiding the Laminate Flooring Fiasco

Manufacturers usually incorporate very specific and detailed instructions as to how to install their product; in this case, laminated flooring. However, some people ignore these instructions and end up having floors that were far from what they envisioned. The next time you might feel like ignoring the instructions for installing laminate flooring, at least keep in mind these general rules of thumb:

1. Most people, including contractors, usually make the mistake of not letting the laminate acclimatize to the home. The boxes that you are going to use must be left inside the room for at least 48 hours, or 2 whole days, before you install them. Otherwise, they could buckle.

2. Read the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the space you must leave around other fixtures on your floor (stair risers, columns, heat vents, and others). You will be instructed to leave 5/16” or ½” gap between the walls and the other fixtures. If you pack it too tightly, the floor will buckle when the laminate expands. To prevent buckling due to expansion, do not nail through the laminate when installing a quarter round or a base board.

3. Laminate floors are sensitive to moisture. If it is going to be installed on a place where only a concrete slab separates the earth from the floor, put a vapor barrier between the laminate and the concrete. Moisture-resistant tape should be used to close the seams. Laminate flooring is not suitable for floors that have drains.

4. Some products can be installed on carpet. However, the carpet to be used must also be specific: only those that are a hard twist or a very low pile should be used. A spongy carpet will lead to the separation of flooring as soon as it is walked on.

5. Measure the room carefully before installation. Remember that the smallest piece must always be at least 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. You may need to cut the length of the first board and the width of the first row of boards so that you won’t be left with small pieces.

6. Joints should not be close together. Before repeating the joint, make sure it is 16 inches away from the previous joint. Each joint should also be separated by 3 rows.

There are a lot of other tips that were not mentioned in this guide, including what to do if the doorway is less than 48 inches and if there are squeaks and other unpleasant noises. If you want your laminate flooring’s beauty to last several lifetimes, read the manufacturer’s manual very carefully.