Everything you need to know about laminate.

Before you buy.

Knowledge about laminate specifics and characteristics, about its traits and subtle differences, can be invaluable. Choosing the best laminate flooring for your home is really about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance and budget to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

• Remarkably durable surface
• Stain resistant
• Does not need to be varnished or waxed
• Easy to maintain
• For busy households, with children and high traffic

Pricing

• You get what you pay for
• High quality gives you better visuals and performance
• Cost factors: unique textures, exotic varieties and species, and high pressure manufacturing

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 floor covering
• 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)

Sub flooring

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

Door plan

• Possibility that doors may not clear the new floor and swing free
• Installers may remove doors and re-hang 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 insures 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-thru
• Prior to completion-walk thru to ask questions and be clear on any final details

After installation day

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

Laminate Maintenance

• Place doormats or walk-off mats at each entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt.
• Sweep, dust-mop or vacuum (without a beater bar) your floor to remove loose dirt and grit.
• Periodically use a damp mop to restore your floors shine.
• Purchase a laminate cleaner specifically made by the manufacturer for your particular floor.
• After damp mopping, use a clean, dry cloth to soak up excess moisture.
• Use floor protectors on the bottom of your furniture and when moving furniture, lift rather than drag it across your floor.
• Never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder.
• Never use soap-based detergents or “mop and shine” products.
• Never flood your laminate floor with water or cleaners.
• Never attempt to sand or refinish your laminate floor.