Laminate Flooring

When a homeowner is planning to upgrade their existing flooring, there are many options and factors to consider. What kind of flooring is the homeowner going to want, such as hardwood, laminate, tile or carpet? Laminate flooring is a cost effective way to have the look of real wood floors for less. Laminate flooring is very durable. Unlike wood which can dent, laminate flooring is almost impervious to dents and scratches. It is good for moist places and can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens and other places where you encounter moistures. It is easy to clean and resists stains and also is great for any family members that have allergies. Once a homeowner has chosen their color of laminate flooring, they will need to purchase a roll of moisture barrier. It is important to make sure the homeowner has all the necessary materials and tools to install the laminate flooring correctly. Most home improvement stores sell laminate floor kits that will provide all the necessary tools
Lay a piece of flooring flat on the subfloor and up against the door jambs. When cutting the jambs make sure you use a guide so that you can correctly cut the jamb so that the new flooring will slide underneath the jamb. Using a coping saw to cut the jambs is best. Be sure to cut parallel to the subfloor. This will give the floor and jamb a nice finished look without having to remove the entire jamb. The fifth step is installing the first row. When looking for the best appearance to lay the floor, you will want to lay the plank parallel to the longest wall. Install the first plank with the groove side towards the wall and place ½” spacers against wall and push the first plank flush up against them. The spacers create an extension gap so that the floor can expand and contract and not warp or buckle. Don’t worry about the gap because it will be covered later with base molding. Continue doing this until the first row is