There are many benefits of laminate flooring and a lot of information that can help you choose the right material for your home. Before you purchase the materials, you should learn about the costs and common tools needed for installation. This article also goes over the installation process, as well as the preparation steps for walls and floors. With this information, you will know exactly how to install laminate on any surface. It will be easy to install laminate in your home, and you will enjoy the benefits of the floor for years to come.
Best Prices of Laminate Flooring:
Before you purchase your new laminate floor, you should calculate the total square footage of your room and factor in a 10% to 20% overage. If you have unique features or plan to repair a large area of the floor in the future, you will need to purchase extra material for these situations. You can figure out the amount needed to complete your project by doing some math and drawing a diagram. Once you know how much material you will need, you can purchase the flooring in the amount you need.
The price of laminate flooring varies depending on the quality of the material used. For example, a thicker laminate floor will cost more than a thin one. But the cost of installation is lowest if you get mid-weight laminate flooring. Installation costs are higher if you need to install laminate on stairs or a room with many angles. Prices also increase if the installation takes place in a high-traffic area or on stairs.
Common tools used for Cutting Flooring:
Before you start installing laminate flooring, you should have the basic tools and accessories. You can use a circular saw, miter saw, or table saw to complete the job quickly and easily. These tools are useful for making rip cuts along the length of the board or cutting narrow pieces of flooring parallel to walls. Use a square to guide the cutting and to offset the ends of joints. The following are some commonly used tools.
A laminate cutter. This product is essential as it slices through the flooring smoothly and creates clean cuts. You can also use a handsaw, miter saw, or utility knife to cut the laminate flooring. These tools will also help you get the right thickness for your laminate flooring installation. It is best to use a cutting tool that is specially designed for laminate. Then, follow the instructions carefully to ensure a smooth and error-free installation.
Durability:
Laminate flooring has the distinct advantage of replicating the look of real wood and stone. While these flooring materials are not perfect replicas of real wood or stone, they are of consistent quality and look good for many years. The embossing feature adds the illusion of wood grain to the flooring. However, unlike hardwood, laminate flooring does not dent or scratch easily. It is highly recommended that homeowners avoid purchasing and installing cheap laminate flooring.
The durability of laminate flooring can be determined by AC rating, which is a widely accepted system for measuring the wear and tear of a floor. AC rating describes the resistance of laminate flooring to water, standing liquids, stains, and impact. AC1 flooring is suitable for light to medium-traffic residential applications while AC2 and AC3 floors are suitable for heavy-duty residential and commercial settings. In addition to AC Rating, some flooring products carry a special AC label that describes how they perform under specific stress.
The transition between floor and wall:
You can use a transition strip to connect your new floor and existing wall. The strip is usually attached with nails or glue. If your floor isn’t the same thickness as the wall, you can use a special track that screws into the subfloor. When installing your laminate flooring, be sure to leave a space of one inch or more between the new floor and wall. This gap should be one inch wide and parallel to the stops of the doorjamb.
In some situations, it is also necessary to use a T-molding between two floors that are less than 3/4 inches apart. This will ensure proper flow throughout your home. Generally, transition pieces are used to connect two different shapes – round and square – and correspond to an area of undeveloped flooring. These strips make a smooth transition from horizontal to vertical surfaces. They also cover the space required for expansion along the perimeter wall.
Warranty:
There are many advantages to warranties for laminate flooring. The warranty period depends on the type of laminate and the intended use. Residential applications include floors used in private residences. To qualify for a warranty, the flooring must have been purchased from a retailer or distributor and have an original purchase invoice, which must be dated and contain the retailer or distributor’s stamp. The invoice should also indicate the style and quantity of the product purchased. The warranty may be extended depending on the specifics of the installation.
To qualify for a warranty, laminate flooring should be properly installed. Expansion joints must be filled with PE foam and sealed with a waterproof paste. The wall base, profiles, and door trims must also be properly sealed. Other common causes of laminate damage include water/humidity and plumbing failures. If you experience any of these problems, you can contact the manufacturer for assistance. You should always follow all installation guidelines and procedures to avoid any potential problems.
