Laying Laminate Flooring Onto Floorboards

Laying Laminate Flooring Onto Floorboards: A Comprehensive Guide

Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, affordability, and ease of installation. If you're planning to install laminate flooring over floorboards, following these essential steps will help you achieve a professional-looking and long-lasting finish:

1. Preparation:

Before laying the laminate flooring, ensure the floorboards are clean, level, and free from any moisture. Remove any existing baseboards or moldings. If the floorboards are uneven, use a floor leveler to smooth them out. It's also essential to acclimate the laminate flooring to the room temperature for at least 48 hours before installation.

2. Underlayment Installation:

Underlayment is a thin layer of foam or cork that is placed between the floorboards and the laminate flooring. It provides additional cushioning, sound insulation, and moisture protection. Roll out the underlayment over the floorboards, ensuring it fits snugly against the walls and overlaps slightly at the seams.

3. Start Laying the Flooring:

Begin laying the laminate flooring from a corner of the room, working your way outward. Place the first row of planks along the longest wall, ensuring they are straight and flush against the wall. Join the planks together using the tongue-and-groove system by angling one plank towards the other and gently tapping it down.

4. Continue Laying and Cutting the Planks:

Next, continue laying the subsequent rows of planks, staggering the joints for added strength. As needed, use a laminate cutter or saw to cut the planks to fit around obstacles such as doorways or corners. Always measure and mark the planks before cutting to avoid errors.

5. Installation of Last Row:

The last row of planks may require some adjustment to fit properly. Measure the space remaining and cut the planks accordingly. Use a tapping block and a hammer to gently tap the planks into place against the wall. Trim any excess underlayment or laminate flooring at the edges.

6. Install Baseboards and Moldings:

Once the laminate flooring is laid, reinstall the baseboards or add moldings to cover the expansion gap between the flooring and the walls. Use a nail gun or adhesive to secure them in place.

7. Transitions and Thresholds:

If you have multiple rooms with laminate flooring or need to transition from laminate to another type of flooring, install transitions or thresholds at the doorways. These will create a smooth transition between different surfaces.

Additional Tips:

Use a tapping block to protect the laminate flooring from damage while tapping it into place.
Leave a small expansion gap around the perimeter of the room to allow for minor temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Sweep or vacuum the laminate flooring regularly to remove dust and debris.
Use a damp mop with a mild cleaning solution to clean the laminate flooring.
Avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaning chemicals on the laminate flooring.

By following these essential steps and incorporating these additional tips, you can successfully lay laminate flooring onto floorboards, creating a beautiful and durable flooring solution for your home.