Monday, January 11, 2010
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Do it yourself laminate flooring installation
Taking on the task of installing your own laminate flooring is not always as easy as you think.
Diy laminate installation can save some expense of having new floors, this is usually the motivation for the diy.There can be a steep learning curve here.So learning how to fix some of the problems that may arise when installing laminate flooring can be very beneficial for the do it yourselfer.
Laminate flooring is one of the easier floors for a home owner to install compared to carpet, vinyl or hardwood.However for anyone attempting to install this flooring,you should have as much information as possible.This can help eliminate problems that may pop up in the middle of the project.Installing a laminate floor incorrectly can look unsightly.Purchasing a poor quality flooring can be costly in the long run.Knowing a good quality flooring can save a lot of grief.
Manufacturers advertised a lot in the past, claiming laminate is very easy to install.As far as connecting the planks together this can vary in difficultly.It depends on the locking system.( the part that holds the planks together)There are a lot of different locking systems that hold the planks together.Some allow the planks to be tapped together laying flat on the floor,which is much more DIY friendly.Others require one plank to be tilted up at an angle in order to lock them together.This can make it difficult especially when installing up to door jambs.
They didn't talk a lot about some things that need to be addressed,such as floor preparation,under cutting door jambs or installing transitions just to mention a few.Undercutting door jambs can be done with a door jamb hand saw that can be purchased at the big box stores for about $15.00If you have a lot of door jambs you may consider using an electric jamb saw.They can be expensive to purchase but may be rented.
Transitions are used where the laminate flooring ends at doors or carpet or ceramic tile.Transition molds need to be considered before you begin to assure the placement is correct.Installing a transition to a surface that may be a different height then the laminate flooring can also be difficult.
Read more on installing laminate flooring at laminate-flooring-installed.com