The process to install a new laminate floor is as follows:
- Remove the old flooring. For carpet, remove the carpet and all tacks holding the pad to the subfloor. For hardwood, remove all hardwood and underlayment.
- Remove all baseboards and heating vents over register boots.
- Prepare the subfloor by ensuring the floor is level and void of debris, tacks, and nails. Consult the flooring manufacturer's instructions for subfloor preparation. Most require the subfloor to have no deviations greater than 1/8 inch for every six feet of flooring. If your floor has dips, this will need to be repaired. Proper floor preparation may require consultation with a professional.
- Acclimate the new laminate flooring to the installation environment for at least 48 hours before beginning the installation.
- Place a quality underlayment over the subfloor. If over concrete, ensure the underlayment includes a vapor barrier. Make sure all seams are taped so there is a sealed barrier between the laminate floor and the subfloor.
- Begin laying the new laminate in one row across the entire length of the room. Make sure to leave at least a 1/4-inch gap between the floor and the wall. Not doing so can lead to creaking and buckling of boards over time. When cutting the last piece of the row, if the remaining board is longer than eight inches, use that piece to begin the next row.
- Continue this installation process and following the manufacturer's instructions for proper board installation.
- Reinstall your baseboards and replace the vent covers over all register boots.
Measure
the width of the room and divide this by the actual surface width of
the laminate board. If the end piece is less than 1/3 the width of a new
piece, rip all the boards in your first row to match the last row.
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