Install First Row Of Flooring
Use small sections of planks as spacers to hold the flooring away from the wall about 1/4 inch . The spacers will allow for natural expansion to occur around the perimeter of the floor after installation. Using a table saw, rip the boards for the first row to remove the tongue. This ensures the true edge of the board will rest against the spacers, so the expansion gap will not be too large for the baseboard to cover. Install the first row against the spacers both on the side and end . Trim the last plank to length to fit so that it ends 1/4 inch from the wall.
Jalynn Baker
Jalynn Baker
Tips For Installing Laminate Flooring Select Surfaces
This post is brought to you by Select Surfaces.
Todays post is all about laminate flooring, guys! Phew it was a gigantic project, and I cant wait to share all the details and tips with you!
Ive been itching to hit publish on this post as I am so super excited to share the new look of our home. I genuinely mean NEW LOOK because I certainly feel that I am walking around in a different house.
But, let me start by taking you guys back down memory lane and share what we started with- our floor journey- so to speak
We moved into our house ten years ago. The house had hardwood floors on the first level and carpet on the second level. Pretty standard setup, right? We had no problems with the carpet until about 2-3 years ago when the wear really started showing. I mean it was almost 20 year old carpet in the house! It began to look really filthy and I hated it! I simply HATED IT!
So, that was that on how we decided on laminate flooring but hear this: This gal over here figured that if we are going to redo the second-floor, we might as well just redo the first floor too, to create a cohesive look throughout the entire house! Oh my I sure do LOVE to take on a project!
Well
Okay, back to flooring
But before I share my most valuable tips on installing laminate flooring, I want to show you the filthy carpet and the sub-floor underneath. I was truly shocked by what we saw when we ripped out the carpet. Look at this! Unbelievable!
Test The Flooring Layout
Test-fit some laminate planks to see how they will lay out in the room. For a small- to medium-size room, it’s easiest to use the flooring itself rather than measuring and calculating.
Arrange planks side by side across the room. You can lock the side joints together or simply butt the planks against one another just be careful not to walk on the flooring if the joints are not locked together.
Next, arrange a length of planks end-to-end. Be careful not to lock the planks together. This would create a lock that is difficult to undo and may damage the edges.
Once you have a sense of the overall layout, pull up the planks and stack them in a nearby area.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Read Also: Floor And Decor Wood Plank Tile
Maintenance For Trafficmaster Laminate Is Effortless
The Use and Care Manual for TrafficMaster flooring recommends using dust mops or vacuumsand thats about all there is to it.
While TrafficMaster laminate is not water-resistant, Home Depot says you can use a water-based laminate cleaner for more thorough cleaning so long as you immediately dry any wet spots.
Just remember: do not use a vacuum with a beater bar. It will absolutely destroy the surface of your laminate.
Does Laminate Flooring Scratch Easily
Because of how laminate is manufactured, this hardy material resists chipping and dents and doesn’t scratch easily. However, anyone with a laminate floor installed in the entryway should take some precautions, especially with kids or pets. In high traffic areas, it is good to lay area rugs to protect the planks. Remove high heel shoes and shoes with cleats before walking on the floor. Keeping your pet’s nails trim is best to prevent scratching the floor. Pad any furniture legs that rest on entryway flooring.
If laminate flooring does get a noticeable scratch or dent, you can use products to fill-in or hide the imperfection. Usually, adding a bit of compound, wax, or a marker in the same color as the floor can hide marks. For damage beyond repair, replace the planks.
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Purchasing The Laminate Wood
Stores sell many different types of laminate wood to suit every home. Some of the most popular choices currently available include pine, maple, cherry, and oak. The finish can also be glossy, embossed, or high-glossed. There are so many choices of laminate flooring that just about every designer choice can be accommodated, says Bob Tschudi, a Raleigh, NC-based GC. If the homeowner has pets or heavy traffic we usually recommend that they go as thick as possible.
Pergo Original Laminate Flooring Offers Everything A Versatile Floor Should Different Colors Styles And High
There is no other floor that is as versatile and as tough as PERGO® laminate. It can take all the heavy traffic, spills, stains and you dont have to worry one bit!
This is why Floor Decor Kenya is excited to bring you PERGO® Laminate floors a world leading brand
PERGO® invented laminate flooring over 35 years ago. A floor that combines beautiful design and long-lasting durability like no other. PERGO® laminate floors are made to withstand years of use and still look beautiful.
Now you can shop PERGO® wood laminates and Pergo engineered hardwood flooring at all Floor Decor Kenya showrooms around the country Nairobi, Nakuru, Eldoret,Nanyuki,Kisumu,Naivasha,Mombasa , Embu , Machakos ,Kisii ,Thika .
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Trafficmaster Is A Home Depot Brand But Other Companies Actually Make The Floors
While TrafficMaster is a Home Depot in-house brand, its floors are actually made by other big-name brands like Armstrong.
If this sounds familiar, its probably because Home Depot does the very same thing with another in-house flooring product: LifeProof vinyl flooring, which is made by Halstead New England Industries.
This is a common practice known as white labeling, in which a companys products are actually manufactured by a 3rd party. Other examples of this include Floor & Decors NuCore flooring and Lowes SmartCore flooring.
Tip #1 Measure Measure And Measure Right
The very first step in the process is to measure your space! Measure every inch, jot it down then calculate the total square footage of the area where you want to install your laminate flooring! Its super important to be accurate here and measure right. Measure the rooms width and multiply it by the rooms length. Once you have your numbers, you can type that into the calculator on Select Surfaces website, and it will tell you exactly how many boxes you need to purchase for your project! Be sure to add 5% -8 % extra flooring on the top of your total number for overages.
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How To Install Laminate Flooring Over Tile
The day is FINALLY here! The day I get to share our gorgeous new Laminate Flooring, and all the install details, with you! Our new floors are from Select Surfaces Spill Defense Laminate collection in the color Smoked Hickory. Its such a warm and cozy change from our stark white tile floors, and our home feels so much more inviting!
**This post may contain affiliate links please read my Privacy Disclosure policy for more information**
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Full disclosure up front Select Surfaces provided us with this flooring free of charge in exchange for this post with our honest thoughts, which are truly nothing but glowing! I cant recommend these floors enough.
The best thing about the Spill Defense collection is that it is waterproof for 24 hours! So its great for anyone with kiddos or pets that might spill things often. It also has a foam backer already attached, so you dont need to worry about underlayment. The Speedloc joint locking system makes for an easy installation and locks each plank into place perfectly. They also have low VOCs, which is really important for us in keeping a clean and healthy home.
Another AMAZING plus with this flooring, is that we were able to lay it straight on top of our tile, no messy demo needed! We did have to put down a vapor barrier because our tile was laid onto a concrete slab, which can allow harmful moisture to get through to the laminate if that vapor barrier isnt there.
If A Plank Gets Damaged The Entire Floor May Need To Be Redone
On that note: if you have a floating floor and a plank needs to be replaced, theres a decent chance that you will have to uproot your entire floor to access that broken plank.
This problem isnt strictly limited to TrafficMaster flooring its a disadvantage of floating floors in general. But given TrafficMasters flimsy locking system, this can be pretty dauntingbecause its possible that you might break several more planks while trying to replace the original broken plank.
The inability to repair floors in-place is one of the reasons many buyers still prefer engineered hardwood vs. laminate, or even bamboo flooring vs. laminate. Laminate cant be repairedit has to be entirely replaced.
On the other hand, you can refinish bamboo flooring or hardwoods to keep them looking new indefinitely. And while the cost to refinish hardwood flooring can be expensive, its better than having to replace an entire floor.
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Trafficmasters Best Feature Is Its Cost
Again: TrafficMasters best feature is its cost. You can buy 7mm TrafficMaster Laminate for about $0.60/sq. ft.
The thicker 8mm and 12mm options top out at about $2.20/sq. ft.
Most laminate, by comparison, ranges between $2 and $4/sq. ft. And higher-end products like Shaw laminate flooring cost even more.
Continue Laying More Rows
Install the planks for the second and subsequent rows, using a similar but slightly different technique than you used for the first row. For these rows, hold each piece at a 45-degree angle and insert the long tongue edge into the groove of the planks in the preceding row, then lower the piece flat to the floor to lock the joint. Finally, tap the piece into its neighbor in the same row with the hammer and tapping block or pull bar .
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
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And Trafficmaster Reviews Are Relatively Decent
Despite its low price, TrafficMaster flooring reviews are actually pretty decent. Yes, complaints are commonbut most are relatively trivial. The quality seems to be a little better than what you might expect from a floor that costs around a dollar less than most other laminateand much less than the average cost of wood flooring .
Best Overall: Mohawk & Pergo Laminate
Mohawks RevWood Plus Sawmill Ridge
Are they tied? Yes, but theres more to the connection. Mohawk and Pergo share identical technology at their core.
Pergo was the original laminate flooring, introduced to the world in 1979. Mohawk acquired Pergo in 2013. Mohawk borrowed Pergos fantastic design, and its used on both brands now.
Why Mohawk and Pergo are the Best Laminate
Here are the top reasons for selecting Pergo and Mohawk as best laminate.
Quality Construction: Everyone makes attractive laminate. But does it look good 5 years after installation? Are the boards coming apart or cracking?
These brands will keep their good looks, at least their midgrade and premium lines. Why? Its that core technology mentioned above:
- UniClic locking system that prevents moisture from seeping between planks.
- Edges coated with Hydroseal sealant.
- GenuEdge technology laps the design layer and protective coating around edges for further protection.
Almost all of the flooring has an AC4 rating for scratches and wear, which means it is suitable for residential and light commercial use.
Dependable Water-resistance: The construction allows you to wet mop your Mohawk or Pergo flooring without fear of damage. Use it in the kitchen or bathroom or basement. It will be OK.
Large and Varied Selection: Mohawk has nearly 150 laminate options in smooth and textured varieties.
Matte, Satin and Semi-gloss finishes give you the right amount of sheen for your needs.
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How Long Does It Take To Install Laminate Flooring
Installation in a typical 10-by-20-foot room is four to five days with an extra day added for each additional room. Laminate flooring needs at least two to three days to acclimate to the environment of a room to prevent problems like particle board expansion. The actual process of installation would take most DIY homeowners three to four hours, with an extra one to two hours to wrap the flooring around cabinets and doorways.
Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop And Steam Vacuum Cleaner For Hardwood And Tile Floors With Microfiber Mop Pads 1543apurple
4 new from $161.02 as of January 4, 2022 4:27 pm
Features
- Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Vacuum And Steam Your Floors At The Same Time
- The Pet Model Features The Exclusive Drop-It Tank Emptying System Which Prevents You From Getting Your Hands Dirty
- The Pet Model Includes Disposable Pads For Those Pet Messes Youd Rather Throw Away And Washable Microfiber Pads For Everyday Cleaning
- Powerful, Cyclonic Vacuum Helps Capture Pet Hair And Debris. Power rating: 1100 Watts for Steam / 400 Watts for Vacuum / 3. 3 Vacuum Amps
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Install The Remaining Rows
- Use the remainder of the laminate flooring planks you cut at the end of row one to start the next row, as long as its longer than 1 foot. If its not, start the row with a plank cut to a length greater than 1 foot.
- Start the second row where you started off the first. This will stagger the seams, which results in a more natural look. It also gives the flooring added stability. The seams should be staggered at least 12 inches from any adjacent seam.
- Hold the long side of the second-row plank at an angle and feed the tongue into the groove of the installed row. Press down and snap the plank into place.
- Since the fiber in laminate flooring is susceptible to water damage, make sure there are no gaps between the seams. Some products require you to use a tapping block to close these gaps.
- Continue snapping planks into place until the row is complete, trimming the last plank to size.
- Lay each row beginning with the remaining pieces from the previous row that are longer than 1-foot until the room is complete.
- If youre using a separate underlayment, install additional rows one row at a time as needed.
- Once the laminate has been installed, remove the spacers and install a matching threshold, baseboard and quarter-round moulding to the walls using finishing nails.
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Based On All The Above It Becomes Apparent That Laying An Underlayment Layer Under The Laminate Flooring Is Necessary
Home decor laminate flooring installation. Our special installation process is simple, as we use a give less locking system, which reduces mess or and eliminates hassle. However, because laminate is not 100% waterproof, vinyl flooring has the edge. This is especially important to consider if youre installing the laminate flooring yourself.
We do it all expertly, so your floor will look amazing and give lasting satisfaction. Welcome topride flooring & home decor. 75% off all laminate flooring call us today!
Both our laminate vinyl flooring can be installed as a diy project, but the technical aspects of a quality installation cannot be overemphasized and thus the need for a professional installation team. See more ideas about installing laminate flooring, flooring, laminate flooring. Laminate floors are often more affordable than wood floors and the new and improved styles make them almost indistinguishable.
Laminate and vinyl flooring are both resistant to scratches. It used to be that laminate flooring was your flooring choice if you wanted something inexpensive, and also didnt mind if your new floor didnt look so good after only a couple of years use and abuse. It acts as a barrier between the laminate and the flooring, creating a perfectly level surface and protecting the laminate from any damage.
Our team is friendly and supportive. Laminate flooring has evolved dramatically during the past decade. Pet hair and dander are easy to sweep off the surface of each.
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Tineco Ifloor Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner And Mop Powerful One
as of January 4, 2022 4:27 pm
Features
- POWERFUL ONE-STEP CLEANING Vacuum and wash your floors at the same time, its never been faster or easier to clean no sweeping or vacuuming before mopping necessary clean, scrub and dry your floors with one simple, versatile cleaning tool
- MULTI-SURFACE CONVENIENCE Superb cleaning for indoor sealed hard surfaces, including hardwood, laminate, linoleum, tile, vinyl, marble, and stone one tool for all your hard floor cleaning jobs
- ALWAYS MOP WITH CLEAN WATER Two-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate, for optimal cleaning results ideal for sticky spills, messy pet hair, scrubbing, dusting, or everyday mopping and cleaning chores
- CORD-FREE CONVENIENCE Cordless for ultimate mobility and convenience up to 22 minutes run time on a single charge flexible, rotating scrubber brush maneuvers easily, fits behind furniture and into tight spaces
- SELF-CLEANING CYCLE KEEPS HANDS CLEAN Activate self-cleaning mode and the iFloor cleans its roller with fresh water and detergent, you only need to touch a button parts can be detached and individually washed storage tray keeps everything organized and tidy
