tips for installing laminate flooring
TRANSCRIPT
How Much Does It Cost?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• High-‐quality laminate flooring: $1.25 -‐ $3.00 per square foot
• Underlayment: $0.60 -‐ $2.25 per square foot
• Other materials (vapor barrier, tape, specialty tools): ~$150
Total Cost EsBmate: $1,500 -‐ $3,000 for an average room
Looking for more detail? Visit Tips For Installing Laminate Flooring (Part I) on the blog.
Where Do You Put It?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
Where To Put Laminate Flooring
• Hard, clean, dry, flat surface • Over smooth or rough concrete, linoleum, exis\ng plywood,
par\cleboard, hardwood, or ceramic \le
Where Not To Put Laminate Flooring
• Carpet or irregularly finished stone • Rooms that are prone to water/moisture (kitchen/bathroom)
What Do You Need To Get Started?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
Tools
• Tape measure
• Straight edge • Marker
• Hammer
• Scissors
• Safety glasses
• Combina\on square
• Speed square • Pliers • Pry bar • Box cuaer
• Oscilla\ng saw and bench
How Long Should You Let It Acclimate?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• You need to let the flooring acclimate to the room’s
temperature
• Leave the flooring for at least 2-‐3 days
• Make sure the temperature is at
least 65 degrees Fahrenheit Source: Flickr Crea\ve Commons
What Should You Do With Low Spots?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• Low spots will cause the floa\ng floor to flex when walked on
• Low spots should be leveled before installing the flooring
• Make sure to check your subfloor
for low spots and consult a flooring
expert for repair advice Source: One Project Closer
How Do You Install The Moisture Barrier?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• A moisture barrier keeps subfloor
water from damaging the
laminate floor
• Thoroughly clean the floor before installing the moisture barrier
• Cover the en\re surface and tape
all seams so it is air\ght
Source: Flickr Crea\ve Commons
How Do You Install The Underlayment?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• The underlayment layer is applied above the moisture
barrier and below the laminate
• Underlayment helps to deaden foot traffic sound (we
recommend premium grade)
• Lay the roll along the longest wall, cut with scissors, and make sure each seam touches
Looking for more detail? Visit Tips For Installing Laminate Flooring (Part II) on the blog.
How Do You Install The First Row?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• Loosely lay down your first row with the tongue of the planks facing your star\ng wall
• Cut off the tongue of those planks and run them along your
expansion spacers
• Install each plank by inser\ng one end into the other at an angle and press down
• Cut the last board to fit (but make sure it is longer than 8 inches)
How Do You Install The Final Row?
TIPS FOR INSTALLING LAMINATE FLOORING blog.zenithindustries.net
• Cut the last row to fit against those expansion spacers • Cut the rest of the excess underlayment around the outside
• Follow your manufacturer’s guidelines for installing
transi\on strips
• Add the quarter rounds and baseboards back around the walls of the room by aaaching them back to the wall
Looking for more detail? Visit Tips For Installing Laminate Flooring (Part III) on the blog