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1. How to Lay Laminate Flooring: Tips for Getting Started with Installation
Discover the main types of laminate flooring, how to lay, materials and installation in a practical
way!
Laminate flooringhasforsome time become the darling of room renovations and renovations, as it
is very resistant, easy to install and costs much less than a hardwood floor.
This material is also quite versatile, as some of them are suitable not only for homes, but also for
high-traffic environments such as gyms, stores and malls. Have you already decided on laminate
flooring but don't know how to install it? Then follow our article today with tips and guidelines on
how to lay laminate flooring :
What is laminate flooring?
Laminate flooring is a floating floor made up of sheets of wood in varied widths and lengths with
different finishes and colors. It is floating because it is not nailed or glued to the subfloor, it is
installed on a blanket.
The main features of laminate flooring and its main benefits: it is a natural wood product coated
with a highly resistant resin film, low porosity that prevents liquid absorption, easy maintenance
when cleaning and high durability .
Each floor sheet consists of 4 layers: the balance, the substrate, the decorative laminate and the
overlay.The balance isthe lowestpartof the floor,responsible forthe stabilityof the bladesandthe
product's resistance to moisture.
The substrate isthe mainpart usuallymade of high-densityplywood,whichisquite impact resistant
and iswhere the fittingsare.The decorative sheet is made of cellulose and is what gives the floor's
color and texture. It can be printed on a wood film depending on the line chosen.
And, finally, the overlay, which is nothing more than a film applied over the decorative laminate,
which provides protection against scratches and scratches.
Types of Laminate Flooring
1. Wood laminate flooring
Thistype of laminate flooringiswhat is commonly used in apartments and houses. The blades vary
from 7 to 9mm in thickness, average width of 21cm and length in the range of 1.36m. These
dimensions are not standardized, each manufacturer may have floors in different formats.
2. High traffic laminate flooring
This type of floor is suitable for environments with high circulation of people such as stores, gyms
and malls.Itsmaincharacteristicisan evengreaterresistance towearthanlaminate.The amount of
colors and textures is as great as the wood veneer and the installation is the same.
Main advantages of laminate flooring
Easy maintenance : laminate flooring is very easy to clean, just a damp cloth and you remove most
stains and dirt;
Easy installation : the blades are designed with male-female fittings for easy installation;
Reduced cost : compared to plank floors (hard wood), laminate is much cheaper;
2. Environmentally friendly : laminate floors are made of reforested wood, so there is no risk to the
environment;
Extended Warranty : Most manufacturers offer at least a 10-year warranty;
High resistance : laminated floors are unlikely to present problems such as termite infestation, as
they are already produced with components that ward off this type of pest;
How to Lay Laminate Flooring: Installation
Find out now about the necessary materials, what to do before starting and the step-by-step
instructions on how to install laminate flooring:
1. Materials needed
Laminate flooringinthe amountneeded to cover the floor surface. This type of material is sold per
square meter, make the calculation before purchasing the material;
Smooth blanket for cemented subfloors or floors in apartments that are not on the ground floor.
Ventilated blanket for wooden, stone, ceramic or vinyl ground floors. Acoustic blanket for non-
ground floors and apartments that need noise reduction;
1.5cm spacers;
T-profile to be installed in all doorways and every 8m², floor-wall profile that can be used as an
alternative to the baseboard, angle brackets to be installed next to built-in cabinets or masonry
furniture; Baseboards, Glue for baseboards, Measuring tape, Square, Scotch tape, stylet, Circular
saw, Rubber hammer, Headless nails, Pencil.
2. Before starting
Before starting the floor installation 24 hours in advance, keep the floor at room temperature, in a
horizontal position and on a flat surface.
Make sure the subfloor is clean and level.
3. Step-by-step instructions for laying laminate flooring
Install the proper mat for the type of subfloor. It must always be placed in the opposite
directiontothe blade placement.Leaveabout1cm tospare behindthe baseboardsor in the
corners of the walls. Use masking tape to hold the pieces of blanket together
Place spacersalongthe wall to leave enoughroomforfloorexpansion
Start installingthe bladesparallel tothe widestwallinthe room.The firstblade musthave
the male fittingside facingthe wall
Go fittingblade byblade andalwayskeepaneye outif the wooddesignisinsequence
Whenyoufinishthe row,youmay needtoadjustthe lengthof the endrule.Cut itwiththe
decorative side downandthe cutpart facesthe wall
Whenstartingthe secondrow,use a blade cutin half.Place itat an angle of 30 degreesand
drop downto fititand followthatwayuntil the endof the installation
3. Secure the bladesbytappinggentlyonthe edgesandclosingthe slots.Use a stopblockand
do nothammerdirectlyonthe blades
Wheninstallingthe lastrowof blades,youmayhave to adjustthe widthsize of the entire
row.If necessary,measure andcuteach blade withthe saw
Finally,removethe spacers,fix the baseboardstothe wall withglue andheadlessnails.Fit
the appropriate profilestoeachcornerof the wall.
How to Lay Laminate Flooring: Important Tips
You can improvise your own spacers and save on this material. Simply create spacers that
are 5 to 10mm thick, cut in an L-shape and have a length of at least 30cm;
Don't forget to remove the spacers when you are finished installing all the blades;
It's good to have someone with you who is responsible for observing how the assembly is
going, if there are any differences or defects;
It is important to start the second, third and other rows always halfway down the previous
row's blade inorderto use more bladesandto make the floor stronger. This technique also
makes it difficult for people to see the floor joints when the floor is finished;
Always wear protective goggles and gloves so you don't cut yourself when handling saws
and stilettos or when hammering;
Do not install laminate flooring in wet areas such as bathrooms, saunas, laundry rooms or
kitchens, it is not resistant to excess moisture;
Place feltpadsunderheavyfurniture,tablelegs,andchairstopreventthem from scratching
or damaging the floor
To clean your floor, just use a soft broom or vacuum cleaner. For a deeper cleaning, use a
cloth dampened with a little water and a non-abrasive cleaner.
So, what did you think? Think you can install your laminate flooring yourself or with the help of
friends?