Installing Laminate Flooring – Tips and Tricks to Save You Time and Money

Tough to beat in every way, laminate flooring is here to stay. Laminate Flooring is a multi-layered wood based floating floor system. Attractive, versatile and extremely durable, these floor coverings can be installed over almost any existing flooring. The host of popular finish options helps you to pick a floor to suit your style and furnishings in every room of your house. As with any home improvement, installing laminate flooring should be done in such a manner that the surface could withstand the daily wear and tear and yet be problem free.

Here are some tips that will help you install your laminate floors, which would give a sensuous look.

- To give space for laminate flooring to expand, it is advisable to always install your floor leaving a minimum ¼ to ½ inch expansion gap on all sides, especially near cabinets and fixtures.

- Toilets should be removed temporarily while installing laminate flooring in the bathrooms, allowing for expansion around the perimeter of the positioned toilet.
- In potentially wet environments, the gaps and expansion spaces should be sealed with silicone sealant to avoid water penetration under the planks.
- Washer and dryer machine leveling feet should be rubber-padded before use on laminate flooring.
- It is unwise to install laminate flooring in areas where a water drain runs below the sub floor.

Most laminates are available in planks of sizes 7” to 8” wide and approximately 4’ long and create a uniform look when placed together on a floor. Nearly all manufacturers promise 10 to 25 year warranties, but new products boast of "Lifetime" guarantees. Earlier, laminated floors were installed by gluing together the tongue and grooves. However, Uniclic is a product that has revolutionized installation of such flooring; the clever shapes click so tightly together that the join is virtually invisible. Advanced technology now enables manufacturers to make laminate flooring that requires no glue. Check out Armstrong Flooring for more information