Laminate Installation

Understanding the basics of installation will increase your knowledge of the process, and enhance your confidence in the installers.

• Use a professional
• Installed using a "floating floor system"
• Padded underlayment sits between the subfloor and the planks or tiles
• Planks or tiles sit on the underlayment, not anchored to the subfloor, and are connected to form a "one-piece" floating floor
• Installation can produce a hollow sound, reduced with a quality underlayment
• Floor will have a slight give underfoot, for more comfort
• Slight ridging or peaking where planks or tiles are joined can occur
• Glueless installations lock together without adhesive
• Consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide to see how often to clean the floor and the cost

Potential additional expenses:

• Furniture removal/replacement
• Demolition/disposal of old floor covering
• Sub-floor preparation
• Product delivery
• Laminate installation, cost per square foot
• Materials required to complete

Process

• Installer inspects the subfloor for imperfections
• Floor is then cleaned
• Underlayment placed over the subfloor
• Planks are laid
• Installers begin in the left corner leaving a minimum ¼" space between the flooring and perimeter walls
• Spacers are used to ensure the accuracy of this perimeter
• After the floor is installed, spacers are removed and cover the perimeter gap with quarter round trim or a wall base
• Planks are laid in the desired pattern
• Planks are measured and cut to fit
• Floors that require glue on the sides begin by gluing the first two planks in the first row together
• Clamps or straps to hold pieces together

Before installation day

• Relocate furniture
• Empty china cabinets and closets
• Consider removal and disposal of old floorcovering
• Remove it yourself and leave 1 day before install
• For carpet, leave tack strips and pull out staples

Trim

• Moldings and baseboards removed for additional costs
• Installers not responsible for breakage
• Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching (your responsibility)

Subflooring

• May need to be prepared
• New subfloor may be required
• A job best left to the professionals

Door plan

• A possibility that doors may not clear the new floor and swing free
• Installers may remove doors and rehang for an additional cost.
• For clearance issues, arrange for a qualified carpenter to shave or cut down

Clean-up

• Waste will be produced
• Waste collected and disposed of by installers at an additional cost

Installation day

• Be home and available
• Be prepared for questions
• Presence ensures the right wood is installed in the right areas
• Exact time of arrival cannot be guaranteed, only a time frame

Safety

• Installers use tools and techniques that can be hazardous
• Make sure that children and pets are out of the work area
• Follow through with a walk through
• Prior to completion- walk through to ask questions and be clear on any final details

After installation day

• Establish good ventilation for 48 to 72 hours
• Be prepared