Laminate flooring is a great flooring option because you can have the beautiful look of a hardwood floor without all the maintenance. Installing a laminate floor may seem like a daunting task, but with some basic knowledge and a small array of tools, the average homeowner can install a floor in a relatively short amount of time.
TOOLS REQUIRED
- Scissors or a knife
- Set Square
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Dust Mask
- Hacksaw or Jigsaw (with laminate blade)
- Trim Cutters
- Fitting Wedges or Expansion Spacers
LOCKING LAMINATE FLOORING
Locking flooring boards have long and short tongues on the sides and the ends that lock together. This makes it easy to unlock the floor again if you want to move it. Condition the boards before fitting, lay them horizontally in their packing, in the room where they are to be used, for at least 48 hours.
FITTING LOCKING LAMINATE FLOORING
Laminate flooring expands and contracts naturally, so you need to leave a gap of 10mm between the boards and the skirting board when fitting, using fitting wedges or expansion spacers. Lay the boards lengthways towards the light source. Lay the first board in a left-hand corner over your underlay and the end with the short tongue against the wall. Fit wedges at intervals between the board and the skirting following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the board is square with the wall.
1. Lay the next board end-on, placing the short tongue of the second board into the long tongue of the first at a 30° angle. Lower the board and lock into place. Lay more boards in the same way until you reach the end of the row, where you will probably have to cut a board to make it fit.
2. To measure the last board, turn it 180° and lay it next to the previous one. Draw a line across the last board with the end of the previous one.
3. Cut and position to complete the first row. Joints should be staggered. If the off-cut is between 300mm - 900mm it can be used to start the next row; otherwise, halve a board.
4. To start the next row, angle cut the board, against the board in the previous row. Cut the end next to the wedge. Press forward and fold down at the side of the board.
5. Place the short end of the next board at an angle against the previous board and fold down, making sure the board is on the locking strip in the previous row. Angle boards by 30˚ and push against the row in front. When boards are tightly together, push them down.
6. For the last row, place a board at a time over the previous row. Place a third board on top with the tongue touching the skirting and use the edge to mark the cutting line on the board beneath. Cut the board and ease into position. Remove the wedges.
FLOOR TRIM
Once the flooring is laid, you can remove the fitting wedges and cover the gap around the edge of the room with the laminate flooring trim chosen to match the floor. The trim should be fixed to the skirting – not the floor – with adhesive.
1. Measure and cut lengths of laminate flooring trim. For a neat, professional finish, use trim cutters that cut trim in straight lines or at an angle to fit into a corner.
2. Apply the trim adhesive to the back of a length of flooring trim (not base) so that it will stick to the skirting board rather than the floor. Press the trim into place and, if necessary, secure them with some heavy weights, while the adhesive dries.
