Introduction:
Installing laminate flooring can transform the look and feel of any room in your home. With realistic wood and stone looks achieving popularity in recent years, laminate offers a durable, easy-to-clean alternative to hardwood or tile at a fraction of the cost.
But while laminate flooring is designed to be DIY-friendly, rushing into an installation without proper planning and knowledge can lead to problems down the road. Taking the time to educate yourself on best practices will ensure your new floors withstand the test of time.
This comprehensive guide takes homeowners through the laminate flooring installation process from start to finish. You’ll learn how to set a budget, choose a quality product, prep your subfloor, tackle the installation, and perform proper maintenance. Follow these tips and you’ll achieve professional-looking results you can enjoy for years to come.
Setting Your Budget:
High-quality laminate flooring offers tremendous value, ranging from $1-$8 per square foot installed. And unlike solid hardwood or natural stone, laminate resists scratches, stains, and moisture damage even under heavy use. This makes it ideal for busy family homes.
When setting your budget, plan to invest in mid-range planks priced around $2-$5 per square foot. Very cheap options often lack the durability to survive more than a few years. And since preparation accounts for half the cost of most installations, you won’t save much opting for low-end materials.
Be sure to calculate for any specialty tools you’ll need to rent or purchase as well. A power miter saw ensures perfectly angled cuts, a jigsaw allows you to work around door jambs, and a heavy-duty flooring stapler speeds up the installation process. Factor these costs in from the start to avoid budget shortfalls down the road.
Choosing Quality Flooring:
All laminate floors mimic wood or stone, but quality construction is what determines durability. To identify floors that will stand the test of time, there are three key indicators to look for when comparing products.
AC Rating:
This measures abrasion resistance on a scale from 1-5. AC3-rated floors are suitable for heavy residential traffic. AC4-5 can withstand commercial use. Only choose planks rated AC3 or higher.
Attached Underlayment:
Quality floors feature a pre-attached foam or cork underlayment layer. This provides moisture protection and cushions footsteps. Avoid “snap-together” planks that lack underlayment.
Warranty:
A 25-30 year residential warranty ensures the flooring company stands behind their product quality. Compare warranties and read the fine print before finalizing your flooring purchase.
Reputable brands allow you to rest easy knowing your floors won’t warp, wear down prematurely, or delaminate over time. Do your homework and only work with quality materials.
Preparing Your Subfloor:
Arguably the most important step in the entire installation process is proper subfloor prep. Rushing this stage compromises stability down the road. Plan to spend up to half your total project timeline preparing the flooring base.
Clean Thoroughly Remove all debris, then vacuum and damp mop to eliminate dirt and dust. Even small particles under the flooring can cause lumps or telegraphing over time.
Level Uneven Areas Use a long level to identify dips and bumps, then grind down high spots or fill in low areas with floor leveling compound.
Test Moisture Excess humidity leads to warping and gapping. Test moisture levels using a meter in multiple areas. Levels must fall below 3-5% throughout the install zone before proceeding.
Secure Creaky Areas Refasten any loose decking or underlayment with deck screws to reduce squeaks. Apply construction adhesive in troublesome areas before installing your laminate.
Rushing through subfloor prep often leads to flooring failures. Take your time and do it right – you’ll thank yourself for years to come.
Tackling the Installation:
Once prepped, you’re ready to get started transforming the space with beautiful new floors! Follow these best practices during installation:
Acclimate Planks Let boxes of flooring acclimate in the install zone for 48 hours before beginning. This allows materials to adjust to room humidity and temperature.
Determine Layout Map planks in a run pattern to minimize waste. Stagger end joints by 6-8 inches between starter rows to enhance stability.
Leave Expansion Gaps Even floating laminate moves slightly over time. Leave 1/4” gap around all vertical surfaces to prevent buckling or separation.
Follow Manufacturer Instructions Read through the entire installation guide before starting. Follow all directions related to special tools, fasteners, layout, and accessories.
Work Slowly & Carefully Rushing leads to uneven boards or clicks not fully engaging. Work methodically row-by-row and pause to make adjustments anytime planks feel unsecure.
Patience and care as you install directly impacts how the flooring wears over many years of use. Take it slow and steady.
Protecting Your Investment:
Once installed, preserving your laminate flooring investment is about protecting the finish and stabilizing humidity levels in the home. Follow these maintenance tips:
Use Floor Protectors Attach felt pads underneath furniture legs to prevent scratching. Rollers and casters should sit on protective mats.
Control Moisture Changes Install humidifiers or dehumidifiers to keep indoor humidity between 35-55% year-round. Drastic swings cause floors to contract and expand.
Sweep & Damp Mop Routinely Sweeping followed by damp mopping with laminate cleaner removes abrasive dirt and debris that wears down the protective finish over time.
Avoid Wet Mopping & Excess Liquids While laminate resists water damage better than wood, excessive moisture under planks leads to warping. Always dry spills immediately.
Refresh the Finish Yearly Reapply laminate floor cleaner annually to restore shine and protection in high-traffic zones prone to wear.
Performing simple housekeeping and maintenance steps extends your flooring investment by protecting both visual appeal and physical integrity season after season.
Conclusion:
Installing laminate floors boosts a home’s functionality and resell value for years to come. While advanced DIYers can achieve beautiful results on their own, lacking the proper tools, product knowledge, or prep work often compromises durability.
Using this comprehensive guide as your roadmap simplifies the journey. By setting an adequate budget, vetting materials thoroughly, keeping subfloor prep a top priority, taking care during install, and performing routine maintenance, you’re guaranteed to enjoy handsome, durable laminate floors that elegantly withstand everyday life for decades.
The transformation will not only boost home value should you sell, but also elevates your daily enjoyment of the space. So do your homework, gather supplies, and dive in! Here’s to easily achieving professional-caliber floors and a renewed sense of pride in your home this season.