Hardwood Laminate Flooring Installation Guide

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Hardwood Laminate Flooring Installation Guide
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Introduction
Laminate floors are more than just durable and
spectacular as Installing hardwood laminate
flooring is one of the easiest things to do.
Laminate wooden floors are ideal for high traffic
areas, can resist scratches or wear and tear and
moisture. An average hardwood laminate flooring
installation cost per foot is 6 to 8. This cost
includes underlayment, floor adhesives, etc.
However, with a few simple guidelines, you can
install a new laminate flooring in your home in
no time. So, here is a step by step hardwood
laminate flooring installation guide for
you.
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Things you will Need
To install the laminate flooring you will need a
few things like pencil, tape measure, utility
knife, spacing blocks, tapping block, pry bar,
hammer, hand saw or table saw. You will also need
shoe molding, underlayment, finishing nails and
laminate flooring.
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Installation Process
Step 1 Prior to installation, a flooring should
sit on the floor for at least, 48 hours so the
flooring can expand and contract as per the
temperature and humidity level in the room. It
will prevent hooking and other issues which may
arise after installation. Step 2 Remove the
baseboard The existing baseboard molding needs
to be removed now. Take a pry bar and remove the
baseboard from the wall. You need to set pieces
aside for installing them again. You need a hard
and smooth surface like vinyl to install floating
laminate planks. If the existing floor is spoilt
then remove it, so the subfloor can be revealed.
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Step wise Installation Tips
Step 3 Installing the underlayment Before you
roll the underlayment, clean the floor properly
and remove debris, staples, nails, etc. To cut
the pieces use the utility knife and do not
overlap the joining strips. Underlayment is
useful to numb the floor sound so the floor feels
more strong. Step 4 Layout planning As you
decide to lay the planks in a particular
direction, check the wall that is longest and
straight. A narrow strip should not be placed
against the focal point wall. In the last row,
planks should be 2 inches wide. At every wall,
there should be a gap of a ¼ inch. There may be a
possibility that the last row is 2 inches wide,
so add that width to the width of a full plank
and it must be divided by 2. So, cut the planks
accordingly in the last and first row as per this
width.
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Read For more Step
Step 5 Cutting the first row and leaving the
gaps As per the decided layout, you will need to
rip and cut the first row of planks lengthwise.
If you are using a finished saw then cut using
the finished side down. If you are using a hand
saw then cut using the finished side up. Make use
of clamps so the planks can be in a steady
position while you cut them. Wedge the space
chips between the wall and planks so you can
leave an expansion gap of ¼ inches. Step 6
Installing the first row To install the planks
make sure the tongue side is facing the wall and
using the grooves and tongues, join one plank to
another. Mostly, you will find it comfortable to
connect the planks with hands or you may need a
pull bar as well as a hammer to pull the planks
together or you may need the tapping block to tap
the joints together. The last plank should be cut
in the row to length and if the straps are 12
inches long then save these.
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How to Start a New Row Using
Step 7 Installing extra rows As you snap on the
new rows stagger the seams at least 12 inches in
the following rows. You can even start a new row
using a scrap from the plank that is cut to end
the last row. Step 8 Installing the last row
You will need to slide the planks in a particular
position at a proper angle and then pry these
gently in a place using the pry bar. You should
leave an expansion gap between the wall and the
last row of 1/4th inches. Step 9 Cut around the
door casings Dont try cutting the planks to fit
around the door casings but use the jamb saw to
cut the door casing at least 1/16 inches above
the flooring height so there should be some room
for the plank to slide easily under the casing.
Rest a flooring piece with underlayment on the
floor and against the casing. Now, on the top
rest, the jamb saw to cut the casing at a
required height.
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Last step
Step 10 Reinstalling the trim This is the last
step. Once the planks are in place, reinstall
baseboard molding with the help of hammer and
nails. Now install the show molding over the
expansion joints and make use of the transition
strips to join the laminate with the surface like
carpet or tile. You dont need to nail through
the floor. You just have to trim and wall.
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Conclusion
Follow these steps to install the floor or get in
touch with the reputed Salt Lake City hardwood
flooring contractors near your area in Utah who
can do the job for you at a reasonable price. You
can ask the contractor to send you an estimated
budget for installing the laminate floor. Most of
the reputed contractors are happy to share the
hardwood laminate flooring estimate with the
clients and offer a supreme service.