Laminate flooring is becoming a popular and cost effective alternative for hardwood flooring. It is being installed in many new homes and is a perfect choice for reflooring older homes. The choices for laminate flooring have increased dramatically in the last few years, and options are now available to fit almost any style and decor.
Getting Started on your Laminate Floor Installation
The first thing to consider when choosing laminate flooring is the intended use of the room in which it will be installed. Consider what traffic patterns it will need to endure, whether or not moisture will be present, and even what weight it will have to bear in the form of furniture and appliances.
Flooring comes in different thicknesses and a more substantial flooring may be required in heavy traffic areas such as kitchens or entryways. A sealer or glue between the planks may also need to be applied if the area will have moisture, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.
Picking Your Floor's Style and Color
Once you have determined the grade of flooring needed, it is time to pick out the style and color. Neutral colors always work well with any decor. Laminate flooring will be available in colors ranging from almost white to a dark mahogany style.
Most flooring planks are 6" to 8" wide and are stamped with a pattern that imitates 2-4 planks of standard hardwood flooring. The patterns mimic the swirls and imperfections associated with real wood.
Always try and match your flooring with any existing woodwork in the room, unless you are planning on replacing that as well. Once the color and pattern is selected it is time to purchase your flooring.
A Few More Flooring Tips
There are several tips to heed when purchasing laminate flooring. First and foremost, always purchase from a reputable dealer. Most large home improvement stores and lumber yards carry laminate flooring.
Discount home centers and liquidators will also have it in stock. Keep in mind that later on down the road you may need to purchase additional flooring for several reasons. You may damage a portion and need to replace it or you may decide to floor an adjacent room and would like to match the color and style.
If you purchased your flooring as a closeout or from a dealer who is no longer in business, it may be impossible to match your existing flooring.
Other Products Needed for Laminate Flooring Installation
There are also related products that will need to purchased in addition to the flooring material itself. Laminate flooring is what is known as 'floating floor', meaning it is not attached to the subfloor below but rather 'floats'. In order to prevent warping and noise, a closed-cell foam underlayment will need to be purchased and installed prior to putting the floor down.
This underlayment will also serve to cushion the floor above it, making it more comfortable to walk on. It will also serve as a vapor barrier to prevent moisture from forming under your new floor. Other products that you will need to consider may be sealant, to put between planks in moisture prone areas, and thresholds to go at door openings or anywhere you transition to laminate flooring from another type of floor covering.
Take care in selecting and installing your new laminate flooring and it will provide years of useful service.
Georgie Henderson - I work from home writing articles on all sorts of things. Recently, I've been renovating mine and my sister's houses so a lot of what I ...
Join the Conversation