Laminate flooring can totally transform the look and feel of a room. It’s durable, easy to maintain, and can mimic the appearance of real hardwood or stone for a fraction of the cost. If you’re thinking about installing laminate flooring in your home, don’t be intimidated. With the right planning and tools, you can do it yourself and end up with professional-looking results. Here is a step-by-step guide to teach you how to install laminate flooring like a pro.
Gather Your Materials
Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means the planks connect together but are not actually attached to the subfloor below. This makes laminate a great DIY project for beginners since it doesn’t require adhesives or nails. Before starting, you’ll need to pick up the following supplies:
- Laminate flooring planks – Make sure to buy enough boxes to cover your floor space with a few extras in case any planks get damaged. Always keep the original packaging too in case you end up with leftover planks.
- Underlayment – Underlayment goes under the laminate planks to provide a protective cushion. Choose one made for laminate floors.
- Tapping block – This block protects the edges of planks when tapping them together. Get a laminate flooring in Alpharetta GA tapping block rather than a regular hammer.
- Pull bar – Used to connect the end joints of planks together. Can also pry apart boards if needed.
- Foam underlayment pads – For areas where the flooring meets walls, door jambs, cabinets etc. this foam seals gaps and absorbs noise.
- Saw – A jigsaw or handsaw will be needed to cut planks to size around door jambs and to fit irregular spaces.
- Spacers – These small plastic spacers allow for the proper expansion gap around the edges of the floor.
- Rubber mallet – Gently taps the planks into proper alignment. Don’t use an actual hammer.
- Construction adhesive – Bonds foam underlayment pads to the subfloor and drywall.
Optional tools that make the job easier include a table saw for straight cuts, installation kit, and laminate cutter.
Prepare the Subfloor
Installing over a properly prepped subfloor is key to getting perfect results. Take time to make sure your subfloor is ready before laying planks:
- Clean thoroughly – Use a broom and vacuum to remove any debris, dirt, staples or nails. Fix any squeaky boards or joints.
- Check for levelness – Use a 4-6 foot level in multiple spots to find any low or high areas. Grind down high spots and fill in lows with floor leveling compound.
- Test for moisture – Excess moisture can ruin laminate over time. Test the subfloor moisture content with a meter in several areas.
- Fill any gaps – Use floor filler compound to patch cracks and fill gaps between boards larger than 1/4 inch so they don’t telegraph through the new flooring.
Getting the subfloor in shape beforehand prevents issues down the road and allows the laminate planks to install flat and smooth.
Plan Your Layout
Now it’s time to map out your layout. Proper planning ensures you won’t end up with narrow unsightly planks around the edges or be short boards.
- Find the center point of the room and measure out equal plank widths on either side. If the last row will be less than 2 inches wide, adjust your starting line to balance it.
- Mix planks from several boxes when installing to vary grain patterns and colors.
- Stagger end joints from row to row by at least 6 inches. Staggering creates a stronger more stable floor compared to lining up end seams.
- In narrow hallways or spaces under 36 inches wide, install planks lengthwise rather than across for best appearance.
- For dramatic visual appeal, arrange planks diagonally or create borders and focal points. Get creative!
Taking a bit of time on the layout saves headaches and gives a more pro looking finish.
Laminate Flooring in Alpharetta GA
Start Installing Your Floor
Once you’ve prepped the subfloor and planned the layout, it’s time for the fun part – installing the Laminate Flooring in Alpharetta GA
planks! Follow these steps:
1. Install foam underlayment against all walls and vertical surfaces.
Cut foam underlayment pads to fit around the perimeter of the room where the flooring will meet walls, door jambs, cabinets etc. Run a continuous strip cut to height. Apply a bead of construction adhesive and press firmly in place. The foam seals gaps, absorbs sound and allows the floor to expand and contract.
2. Lay the underlayment.
Roll out the laminate underlayment perpendicular to the flooring direction. Butt edges together snugly without overlapping. Use tape to hold seams together. Underlayment provides a moisture barrier and cushions the floor.
3. Start with a full plank flush against your starting wall.
Measure out from the wall the width needed for expansion (usually 1/4 inch). Lay the first plank tongue side against the wall and facing the direction you’ll be laying the flooring. Use spacers against the wall to maintain proper expansion space.
4. Connect the end joints of the next plank and gently tap together.
Hold the next plank at an angle and insert the end tongue into the end groove of the first plank. When lowered, the plank will click into place. Use a tapping block and mallet to softly tap the end joint closed.
5. Continue first row until you reach the wall.
Keep adding full planks end-to-end until you reach the opposite wall. Cut the final plank to length allowing your expansion gap. It may help to pull the row away from the starting wall every few planks to keep proper spacing behind boards.
6. Start the second row with leftover piece from row one.
This helps stagger the end joints between rows. Just be sure there is at least a 6 inch offset. Tap the long side of the plank to lock it with the first row. Repeat steps 4-5 to complete the second row.
7. Fill in remaining rows using the same techniques.
Keep going until you reach the final row. Remember to maintain a random appearance by mixing planks from different boxes. Cut the final row planks to fit along the wall with spacers.
8. Make any cuts for door jambs, pipes etc.
Measure and cut planks to fit around any objects in the floor. You can undercut jambs with a handsaw laid flat to allow planks to slide underneath while maintaining the right height. Use an oscillating multitool for detailed cuts.
9. Install trim and transition moldings.
Add any baseboard, quarter round, transitions strips etc. needed to finish edges and doorway openings. Nail into the wall, not the floor itself. Apply silicone sealant in gaps before installing moldings. Wipe away excess immediately after installing.
Take your time and don’t rush through the steps for the highest quality installation. With some patience and the right techniques, your laminate flooring project will turn out beautifully. Let the floor set 24 hours before regular foot traffic and 72 hours before moving furniture back onto it. Then stand back and admire your fantastic handywork! Your new laminate floor will look like a professional installer did it.
Laminate Flooring in Alpharetta GA
Maintaining and Protecting Your Laminate Flooring
Now that you’ve successfully installed your laminate flooring, you’ll want to make sure it lasts for many years to come. Follow these top tips for protecting and caring for your new floor:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly to prevent dirt and grit from scratching the surface. Use soft brush and hard floor attachments.
- Immediately wipe up all spills. Excess moisture can damage laminate over time.
- Place colorfast mats at all entrances to absorb dirt, sand and moisture from shoes. Area rugs are great in high traffic areas.
- Use furniture leg protectors and office chair mats under heavy furniture and rolling chairs. Re-apply pads as needed.
- Move heavy furniture carefully by lifting or using furniture sliders. Don’t roll or slide across the floor.
- Attach felt pads under furniture legs and appliances to avoid scratches. Check pads frequently for debris.
- Avoid using steam mops, wet mops or excessive water on your laminate floors. Use a damp mop only when needed.
- Rearrange furniture and area rugs periodically so the floor ages evenly. UV sunlight will cause fading over time.
- Keep humidity in the home between 35-55% year round. Extreme dryness or humidity can cause planks to swell or shrink.
- Sweep or vacuum the floors before using cleaners to remove debris that can cause scratches.
By caring for your laminate properly and protecting it from damage, your floors can stay beautiful and easy to maintain for many years before needing replacement.
Laminate Flooring in Alpharetta GA
Tips for Repairing Minor Damage
Even with the best care, laminate floors can become scratched, stained or have planks that separate over decades of use. Luckily, there are some simple DIY tips for repairing minor damage:
For minor scratches and scuffs: Gently buff the affected area with fine steel wool in the direction of the grain. This can help hides superficial scratches. Apply laminate touch-up marker in a matching shade if needed.
For deeper scratches: Use a laminate filler stick to fill the scratch even with the plank surface. Apply filler stick wax to fill scratches and blend with laminate pattern. Buff with steel wool once dry.
For dull or stained areas: Refresh dull, cloudy areas by cleaning with undiluted white vinegar applied with a soft cloth. For staining, try a hydrogen peroxide solution. Lightly sand then buff with steel wool if those methods are ineffective.
For planks that separate: Re-attach any lifted planks by applying a thin line of PVA wood glue to the tongue and groove and firmly pressing the seam back into place. Weight down overnight using painter’s tape to hold.
To replace a damaged plank: Carefully cut out the damaged section using a circular saw. Measure and cut a replacement piece to size from attic stock or leftover planks, maintaining the pattern. Angle the replacement plank into place and tap seams gently with a pull bar and mallet.
With a few simple tricks, you can fix minor issues and prevent further damage. But for more extensive repairs, it’s best to call in a laminate flooring pro.
When to Call in a Professional
While DIY laminate installation and minor fixes are definitely doable, there are some cases where you should hire a professional installer:
- For major damage over several planks or large areas, replacement will involve carefully removing and reinstalling adjoining planks. A pro can seamlessly blend repairs.
- If your floor has suffered flooding damage, a professional restoration company is equipped to remove the water and repair/replace damaged planks.
- For issues with improper installation like uneven joints or locking mechanisms not catching, a flooring installer can identify the problem and get your floor into shape.
- If you need to replace a significant portion of your floor, a pro may recommend just installing new flooring over the existing one to save time and hassle.
- For specialty project like creating intricate borders and patterns, diagonal installations or using multiple plank directions, an experienced installer gets the details right.
Don’t be afraid to call in backup if a project goes beyond your skill level. Professionals have the tools and experience to tackle more complex laminate flooring jobs while keeping your home clean and minimizing disruption.
Conclusion
Installing laminate flooring is an extremely rewarding DIY project that can completely transform the look and feel of your home. Laying the flooring with proper planning, using the right techniques, and finishing the edges neatly will result in a beautiful, professional-looking floor. Maintaining and protecting it properly ensures your new floor will stay lovely for decades. And you can handle minor fixes yourself when issues do arise. Just don’t be afraid to call in backup for major repairs or very involved projects. Follow this guide and you’ll be able to install laminate flooring like a pro!
