What is the best way to install long strips of laminate flooring?

Answer 1

Pre-installation instructions
A do-it-yourself laminate floor installation requires intermediate-level construction skills. Several factors should be considered before a laminate floor installation. A swift and easy process of installation can take place ifyou carefully prepare for the installation. Here are a few instructions:

• Make sure that the subfloor is flat, dry, and smooth.
• Always use underlayment under your laminate floor for soundproofing and stability.
• Laminate flooring and underlayment/vapor barrier can be installed on any existing floor whether concrete, wood flooring, vinyl tile, linoleum, tile, etc as long as the floor is flat and solid. The foam pad will make up for minor irregularities.
• Allow the flooring material to acclimatize to the installation site for as long as possible (min. 2 - 3 days). This allows the flooring to adjust to the room temperature and humidity.
• Examine each floor plank for grade, color, finish, quality and defects.
• Laminate floor installation should take place at room temperature of at least 65 deg F (15 deg C). A floor surface temperature of 59 deg F and an overall room temperature of 64deg F must be ensured before, during and three days after the installation.
• Take extra care when installing laminate flooring over radiant heating. Ensure that you read both the laminate flooring and radiant heat system instructions carefully.
• Read the installation instructions provided by your laminate flooring provider / manufacturer.
Installation tips
1. The beginning wall of the flooring (the wall where you start installing the new floor) should be more visible than your ending wall.
2. Remove any previous carpeting or wood flooring glued to a concrete floor. (Wood flooring NOT glued to a concrete floor can remain.)
3. A good visual effect can be achieved by mixing planks from 4 - 5 different boxes. The width of the joint between the tiles on each strip may vary. Using these strips and placing thin joints next to thick joints gives a more natural look.
4. After measuring the area of the floor to be covered with the laminate, add 10% to allow as wastage.
5. If your room is larger than 1,000 square feet, you must use 3/4 inch spacers to create expansion space around the border of the room and any pipes, doorframes, cabinets, or fixed objects etc.
6. If your room is smaller, a gap of 1/2 inch can work. These gaps allow for expansion and contraction. The exposed edges can be concealed with trim or molding.
7. To install flooring around pipes, drill a hole in the plank that is half or a quarter inch larger than the pipe diameter. Cut the plank across the center of the circle, fit around the pipe on the floor, glue plank pieces back together and clamp (do not glue laminate to subfloor). Cover expansion gaps with molding or pipe rings when the floor is complete. Water pipes require silicone sealant.
8. To replace any planks damaged during installation, raise the last installed board approximately 1 1/4 inches until it disengages. Continue until you reach the affected plank, replace and reinstall the planks.

Underlayment installation:
Underlayment is a material placed under flooring to provide a smooth and even installation surface. It comes in large rolls or as separate pieces that can be taped together. The use of an underlayment speeds installation, reduces walking noise, improves flooring stability and provides superior support.

• Remove the shoe molding from around the baseboard and also the doors from the installation area to be covered.
• The flooring planks need additional space to fit under doorframes. Place a piece of underlayment and laminate flooring next to the jamb to determine the required height, and cut out the desired area of the frame.
• Install the underlayment and make sure the edges don't overlap. To prevent them from shifting, tape the pieces together. Create an expansion gap between the underlayment and walls by using spacers.
• If you're placing a laminate floor on top of a concrete slab, apply a polyethylene plastic vapor barrier before installing the underlayment.