Unlike hardwood floors, plastic slats do not need to be fixed to the floor or underlayment. They are durable, scratch resistant and easy to maintain. Although if you have wood floors, you will need to know How to clean hard floors without damaging them.
Furthermore, laminate flooring does not require grouting, cement, or adhesives to hold the boards together. Instead, wood flooring clicks and snaps together (if installed correctly), like a giant jigsaw puzzle.
While learning how to install laminate flooring may seem difficult, it is not difficult to do it yourself. The best part is that you don’t even have to call a professional to do the work, which saves you extra cash! So here are some of the top DIY tips on how to install laminate flooring without calling a builder.
How to install wood floors
What will you need
Underlayment or vapor barrier
wooden spacers
tape
tape measure
multi-use knife
Hammer
Something for cutting floors
tapping the block
Dam
The first step is to prepare your area, making sure the sub-floor is clean of dirt and debris, level and structurally sound. Most importantly, always measure the space properly before purchasing laminate flooring. It is advisable to purchase an additional box of flooring to allow for cutting errors or damage to the panels. Even if you don’t end up using it, it’s always a good idea to have a replacement spare.
1. Prepare the room
After preparing your space, Test out some planks by arranging them side by side across the room Let’s see how they will look after putting them on. Decide on the trend and style of the flooring, make sure of it Leave room for the floor to expand about an inch. Be careful not to lock the joints together at this point to avoid damaging the panels.
Tip: It is always important to read the directions provided by the flooring manufacturer.
2. Apply the substrate or vapor barrier
next one, Roll out the bottom layer sheets and put the edges together So they touch but not overlap. Tape the seams with masking tape Recommended in the instructions or invest in some peel and stick sticky edge liner. then, Trim the bottom layer to fit the walls and obstacles with a knife. The bottom layer is a thin, dense foam designed to help absorb sound and make floors warmer. You should always apply this protective and thermal barrier before installing laminate flooring to make it a flat surface from any bumps or gaps in the floor.
Tip: If you’re installing laminate flooring in high humidity rooms like kitchens or basements, it’s a good idea to install a vapor barrier such as 3in1 Vapor Barrier Flooring Underlayment ($18, Amazon (Opens in a new tab)) before placing your underlayment.
3. Place spacers along the wall
then, Place 3/8″ spacers along the wall to leave a firm gap around the edges of the floor To allow for floor expansion. One thing to note is that laminate floors will always expand and contract due to changing temperature and humidity.
4. Start laying floors
The general rule is that Start by laying the flooring on the tallest wall. But if there is for example a feature fireplace or large windows, you may want to start placing the wood panels parallel to this wall. start with Position the panels with the tongue side facing the wall. then, Place the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove And press the plank down to lock it in place. Keep laying the planks until you reach the end of the first row and Cut the final piece to fit Perfectly in space.
Tip: Line your rows one panel width apart to give them a more attractive design. Not only is this more aesthetically pleasing, but it also gives the floor more stability, preventing problems such as buckling or the formation of gaps.
5. Install the remaining wood floors
for the second and subsequent rows, Put a board that is longer than or shorter than the first board in first grade. For subsequent rows, you may have to shake the panels to secure them into the groove before snapping into place. It is recommended that Use a tapping block or a pull bar To ensure that there are no gaps between the seams. Continue installing the planks until the row is complete, trimming to the size of the last plank.
6. Add any finishing touches
Once the wood floors are installed, remove the spacers from the walls. You can now install matching panels, a quarter round, or the final finish of your choice.
Tip: Using the caulking tool, Seals the edges of the board For a smooth and tidy look.
How to cut wooden floors
You can use a variety of tools to cut wood floors lengthwise. If you are uncomfortable with power tools, a simple hand saw will do the trick.
If you want to use a power tool, a saw can be very useful; Not only is it faster than using a hand saw, but you can use it to cut irregular shapes, in case you need to lay the floor around the cut pieces. Moreover, the mounting saw is relatively inexpensive; For example, a Black and Decker jigsaw is only $24 on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).
If the majority of the cuts are straight, a metric saw or circular saw will do a quick job of cutting floors. However, they tend to be more expensive and require some experience to use.
Whatever tool you choose, be sure to cut straight lines; Speed square can help you a lot. You can pick up the Workpro speed box and compact box set for $22 on Amazon (Opens in a new tab).