Tips for quick and easy laminate flooring installation
Installing a laminate floor is a quick and easy way to update any room in your home. Laminate is a great low-cost alternative to real timber and is a perfect choice for a DIY flooring project. Laminate is a durable and affordable choice if you like the timber look – but aren’t as keen on the price.
Laminate manufacturers have picked up their game in recent years and advances in technology have allowed them to create quality laminate flooring options, which look exactly like real timber, offering the same stain, the same graining and even the same texture. Quality laminate looks stunning, and will age well in your home.
If you’re considering laminate flooring, here’re a few insider tips and tricks to keep in mind when laying your laminate floor.
Purchase high quality materials
Laminate flooring is a relatively inexpensive flooring option and therefore it’s worthwhile, if you have the flexibility with your budget, to spend a little bit more on the best materials. Cheaper laminate alternatives have a higher chance of being defective over time, meaning your laminate flooring might warp, buckle or develop marks and stains. Choosing a high-quality laminate is a good decision in the long run, as you won’t have to spend more on upkeep in future.
Buy more laminate than you think you’ll need
When laying laminate flooring, it’s important to have extra materials in case any problems arise. A good idea is to buy more laminate than you think you’ll need so you aren’t left scrambling if something does go astray.
These spare materials will come in handy in case some boards are damaged, if you happen to trim a board incorrectly, or if your measurements happen to be slightly off and you don’t have enough laminate left to finish the room. These things can happen when installing laminate flooring so it’s a smart move to think ahead and cover yourself for any little issues such as these.
Allow time for the laminate to adjust to the room
Laminate expands and contracts in different temperatures, and unfortunately this is an unavoidable issue when laying laminate flooring. So, if you’re planning on installing laminate in your home you should allow time for the flooring to acclimate to the space before you install it.
Your new laminate needs to sit in the room you plan on laying it in for at least 48 hours before installation. If you start laying your laminate straight after bringing it inside, the flooring will not have time to adjust to the temperature of the room and will expand and change in size. This can put pressure on the rest of the floor and cause cracks and warping, ruining the entire space.
Plan ahead when laying your laminate flooring and ensure you allow enough time for the floor to adjust to the room temperature.
Make sure you’re laying your laminate on a flat sub-floor
Laminate flooring does not function well on uneven surfaces, so before starting to lay your laminate, inspect the sub-floor with a level and find any spots which may be uneven. If you find dips in the floor, you can use a self-leveling compound such as Novatex’s Level R to even it out. This product is similar to concrete, by mixing with water until it creates a paste you spread across the floor in affected areas. The compound will find the lowest areas of the sub-floor and work to level it out.
Any dips which are not filled prior to installation will result in a soft spongy section in the laminate flooring, and eventually the floor will bend which may damage the laminate locking system or create gaps in the flooring. Ensuring the sub-floor is even will mean no nasty surprises in future and your laminate will look great for years to come.
Laminate flooring is a durable, affordable and attractive flooring choice for your home. Laminate is available in wide range of colours and designs which are extremely similar to real timber at a much lower cost.
If you’re thinking laminate might be the right choice for you, Tile Wizards have a huge range of laminate flooring on display in stores now.
Tile Wizards guarantee their customers a high-quality standard of laminate and a lifetime structural warranty to ensure your floor will look amazing not only now but well into the future.
For more renovation tips and tricks, and to browse through our range of timber flooring, why not visit one of the Tile Wizards stores, in and around:
- Sunshine Coast QLD (Tile Wizards in Bokarina)
- Coffs Harbour NSW (Tile Wizards in Coffs Harbour)
- Adelaide SA (Tile Wizards in Lonsdale, Para Hills West, and Richmond)
- Brisbane QLD (Tile Wizards in Springwood)
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:
How to Lay the Perfect Loose Lay Vinyl Flooring
Loose Lay Vinyl is a great timber flooring alternative. It’s durable, easy to maintain, beautiful and much cheaper than traditional hardwood floorboards. What’s more, it is easy to install. Tile Wizards shows how to install the perfect loose lay vinyl flooring in 3 easy steps…READ MORE
