Laying Laminate On Floorboards

Installing laminate flooring is a snap literally.

Laying laminate on floorboards.

A laminate floor is a floating floor meaning it is not fastened directly to the subfloor. Laying laminate flooring on uneven concrete can lead to problems. This allows your floors to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room and reduces the likelihood of your floors swelling shrinking and warping. This thin dense foam layer helps to absorb sound provides a thermal barrier makes it easier to walk on the laminate and helps the flooring bridge minor gaps and bumps in the underlying floor.

If you place laminate flooring on a weak or uneven sub floor the new floor will be compromised and eventually buckle damage the laminate locking system creak or create micro gaps in the new floor. In fact laminate flooring can be installed in almost every room in your home including kitchens since it doesn t have to be glued down and doesn t involve grout or mortar. Sub floors are typically concrete or cement and develop weaknesses over time. No matter the weather or season a laminate wood floor should be a silent expanse that runs through your living spaces.

If the floor is uneven you need to address a few things to create a flat floor for the laminate flooring. Install the underlayment or vapor barrier. Whether you plan to remove skirting boards or not prior to laying your laminate flooring is a personal preference if you don t you will need to add. Because hardwood flooring is seldom replaced due to the expense uneven surfaces can often be found.

Flooring manufacturers always recommend putting down underlayment before laying the laminate. You ll need a damp proof membrane if laying laminate flooring on a concrete subfloor. It s important to leave a gap between the. Most diyers can complete laminate floor installation in one day.

Place your laminate floorboards in their unopened packages in the room you ll be installing them and let them acclimate for at least 72 hours before you install laminate flooring. Installing a locking laminate floor. Planks can be cut with a hand saw circular saw or flooring cutter and most laminate flooring comes in planks that simply snap together with a tongue. Once the underlayment is down place inch 0 95 cm spacers along each wall.

It can be installed over any other tightly bonded flooring making it ideal for retrofits.