Installing laminate flooring may be just the chore-reducing solution a busy home executive, constantly sidetracked by a demanding schedule, needs. If your daily aggravations include messes and stains on expensive carpeting, and the wheezes and sneezes of kiddie allergies, you may do well to have installing laminate flooring on your home remodeling to-do list.
A laminate hardwood floor is a low-maintenance homecare option in many respects. If you have kids or pets, the daily mishaps seldom turn into calamities if you steer clear of carpeting. The smooth, hard surface of a laminate product is easy to clean thoroughly, and never becomes the dust-trap carpeting often is. Provided that you follow the instructions carefully during the installation process and adhere to the maintenance guidelines, your flooring should retain its good looks for years. If there really is a serious accident, you can even replace a flooring section.
Installing laminate hardwood flooring 'how-to's' are clearly detailed on every manufacturer's website. The information often includes laminate flooring installation videos. These show how simple it is for any do it yourself enthusiast to tackle this renovation project. With innovative engineering, this decor idea has evolved into an easy, glueless click-together concept. The tongue and groove planks simply snap together for a secure fit. A room can be done within a day, and the floor can be used immediately.
Installing glueless laminate flooring doesn't necessarily involve the time-consuming process of ripping out existing floors. Unless you are replacing carpeting, or have a real wood floor over concrete, you can install laminates over a well-prepared subfloor. Make sure that the floor is perfectly smooth and even. Sand down any peaked joints or bumpy areas. Fill up all dents. Check the floor for moisture, especially if you will be working in a basement.
Take your pre-installation measurements with great care and always allow for a 10% error margin. This leaves room for fitting mishaps, such as chipping. You are also likely to find a few factory flaws. Check with your supplier to find out if you need to acclimate the planks before installing the laminate flooring. This period can be between two and four days, so allow for this during your planning. It is also sensible to buy extra planks and keep them in storage, in case you need to re-do a section down the line.
When installing laminate flooring, you wind up with a floating surface. This means that no adhesive is used. As a result, the flooring will expand and contract due to changes in temperature and humidity levels. This is why it is absolutely vital that you follow the expansion space guidelines given by the manufacturer. Purchase the correct spacers to allow you to maintain an even distance between the flooring and the walls around the perimeter of the room. Make provision for the same expansion space between cupboards and the edge of the flooring. If you don't allow for movement in the flooring, you will soon be confronted with unsightly buckling.
Directions for installing laminate flooring on stairs are plentiful. A wide variety of stair nosings and other color-coordinated decorative moldings are available. These enable you to finish your flooring project with professional flair.
You can use some of the better flooring ranges during kitchen and bathroom remodeling. When installing laminate flooring here, extra care has to be taken to keep moisture away from the inner core of the floor. Expansion spaces need to be sealed with the help of a caulking gun and the joints should be glued together. If you have a quality product and you follow the installation instructions to the letter, simulated hardwood ranges can work well in these areas.
Cleaning a laminate floor is a pleasure. A mop and a brushless vacuum takes care of daily dirt and dust. Washing is done with a damp mop. You never want to give these floors a really wet wash. Dedicated laminate hardwood floor cleaners are available for tougher spots. An acetone-based nail polish remover usually takes care of scuff marks, paint or crayon creations. Filler pens can be used for unsightly scratches. Always make sure that you use the recommended tools and products. If you don't do this, you may void your warranty.
Keep pet nails trimmed and take care when wearing shoes with spiked heels. Make use of felt pads under furniture feet. Non-slip area rugs can be used in doorways to catch gravel and other dirt before it gets a chance to damage your floor.
Many homeowners successfully increase the value of their properties by installing laminate flooring. If you choose from the best ranges on the market and follow the directions for installation closely, laminates can be an elegant, stylish and durable home improvement solution.
Awnings-and-Blinds.com - where you can grab your free copy of the Ultimate Laminate Flooring Buyer's Guide ebook. The author, Rika Susan also offers more info on flooring, awnings, blinds and other home remodeling issues in Five Laminate Flooring Installation Secrets and many other articles at Awnings-and-Blinds.com. Copyright of this article: 2007 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.
Is Installing Laminate Flooring A Solution For Sidetracked Home Executives?
