Laying Laminate Planks

Once your flooring is down install shoe molding to cover the expansion gap between the flooring and the base trim.

Laying laminate planks.

Laminate flooring is a great choice for homeowners who want the look of real hardwood at more affordable costs. A laminate floor is a floating floor meaning it is not fastened directly to the subfloor. See my flooring install playlist. How to install vinyl plank flooring as a beginner.

If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room like a basement with high humidity or moisture lay down a vapor barrier before you install the flooring. It can be installed over any other tightly bonded flooring making it ideal for retrofits. Flooring manufacturers always recommend putting down underlayment before laying the laminate. Besides looking like wood termites are not attracted by them and they are easier to install.

They should acclimate for at least 48 hours. Be careful not to pin the flooring down in the process. The easiest type of laminate floor boards are the type that lock in place. Like traditional wood laminate flooring is available in a variety of colors to complement virtually all design styles.

Directly onto the subfloor lay down a layer of plastic sheeting to create a moisture barrier. Lay moisture barrier thoroughly clean the subfloor so that there is no debris on the floor and that it is flat and smooth. Finish the molding to match the trim not the flooring. Lay out the unopened boxes of laminate planks in the room.

Shoot 1 1 4 inch finish nails through the shoe and into the base trim. Installing laminate flooring is a snap literally. This will allow them to acclimate to the room s temperature and humidity. Laminate flooring is a great alternative to wood.

This thin dense foam layer helps to absorb sound provides a thermal barrier makes it easier to walk on the laminate and helps the flooring bridge minor gaps and bumps in the underlying floor.