The advantage of laminate flooring is not only its price, quality and durability, but also ease of installation. We will talk about this in this article.
How Much It Costs to Install Laminate Flooring
The average house owner will spend about $2,500-$3,000 on laminate flooring. When you become your own handyman and do it yourself, you’ll save on the labor costs. Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners because it’s an affordable way to get the appearance of wood flooring. It’s also durable and withstands scratching and dents, and doesn’t require the upkeep that genuine wood does. Be your own handyman and install your own laminate flooring with these actions:
Tools and Materials: tape measure, level, hand saw/coping saw, hammer, tapping block, pull bar, spacers, foam underlayment, laminate flooring.
Prepare
Prior to pulling up the existing flooring, be sure you have all of the materials you require for the new floor. You do not wish to begin, and find yourself with a wrecked flooring while you wait to get the essential materials! Measure your room for the square video footage, and purchase 10% more than that overall. Some boards will be cut for corners and end fittings, and it’s much better to have more than you require than be stuck short.
Acclimate
About a week prior to the job starts, adapt your new flooring. Because floors diminish and expand because of temperature and humidity variations, this is a required step. Unrap plastic product packaging and stack the flooring in the space where it will be installed.
Expose
Revealing the subfloor might bring some surprises. Take your time to remove and store the base moldings first. Then, working from the edge of one wall, carefully lift up the existing flooring. Eliminate nails, staples and tacks strips along the way. Check the area when you’re done, and access any repairs that might need to be done. If you set up over concrete, make certain to treat it first, and ensure it’s entirely moisture-free before laying new flooring.
Underlay
You might purchase laminate flooring that has pre-attached foam underlayment. You can also buy this individually. Check out the guidelines thoroughly for the underlayment, as they may vary depending on the maker.
Trim
Cut the door jamb after you install the underlay. To get a tidy and expert appearance, you’ll wish to set one plank at a time and mark the boards to cut with a hand saw. Cut it so that the board can fit smoothly and neatly under the door jambs.
Installation
Start with the longest wall. Set up the planks parallel to that wall. The first slab you lay is the most essential, as it sets the scene for the remainder of the floor. It requires to have the grooves facing the wall, and be flush to a corner of the room. Place 1/2 inch spacers in between the boards and walls every 12 inches to account for natural growth. One slab at a time, match the tongues and grooves and snap them into place. Use your hands or a tapping block to tap them in, so you don’t harm the planks. Stagger the end joints of surrounding boards to provide your flooring a neat and clean look.
Complete
The most hard board will more than likely be the last you install. Cut it (or the tongue) to make certain it’s flush. Add limits where your new flooring satisfies another floor (carpet, etc.) or there is a doorway. Now you can get rid of those areas and install the base molding!
Conclusion
Laminate flooring doesn’t require an employed handyman, as you can install it yourself to save on labor costs. With a little time, persistence and hard work, you’ll have a gorgeous new flooring you can be proud of and flaunt to visitors!
