How to lay laminate flooring UK?
If you’ve recently moved into a house or rented an apartment with laminate flooring, the last thing you want to do is pay the higher cost of hiring professionals to lay laminate flooring UK. This task can seem intimidating if you have no experience laying the laminate flooring, but it’s much simpler than you might think. There are basic steps to follow when laying laminate flooring UK, and as long as you take your time and follow them, you should have little trouble completing the job independently.
What tools will you need?
No matter how good of a bargain you find, it will not be worthwhile if the company doesn’t have what you need or has unhelpful customer service.
Buy all supplies at one store.
It’s easier to get a discount if you buy everything for your new project in one location and avoid the hassle of back-and-forth trips. Plus, most stores provide discounts on their supplies if you spend over a certain amount.
Get advice from professionals who know about laying laminate flooring UK.
Sometimes DIYs are great when we can do something ourselves, but when dealing with an essential project like installing your flooring, it pays off to take advantage of professional expertise. Contact any reputable retailer that sells the type of flooring you want and ask which brands they carry, how much each cost, where they offer installation services, and whether any additional costs are involved (such as underlayment). Discount Flooring Depot offers free consultations for prospective customers.
Preparing your subfloor
At Discount Flooring Depot, we offer high-quality laminates in various colors, patterns, and textures. One thing to remember when choosing your floors is the thickness – the thicker the laminate, the higher quality. Before installation, you must ensure that your subfloor is clean and prepared properly by filling any holes with wood filler and that any loose boards are nailed down. The next step in installing your new discount flooring UK is removing the protective paper from all of the cut ends of your planks.
Preparing your room for laminating floor
The first thing you’ll need to do is set up the room. You’ll need a sturdy, level platform that can support the weight of the laminating mats and a few people. It’s also a great idea to cover the areas surrounding your workspace with a tarp or plastic sheeting, as spills are inevitable while working with these materials. You’ll want it nearby because you’ll often walk back and forth between different parts of the room when laying out your boards and installing your finish trim.
Laying your laminate floor
- Take the necessary safety precautions before laying your new laminate floors. Be sure to wear protective eyewear, and do not forget a dust mask and gloves.
- To begin with, you will need a mat for the doorway about 3ft in height and stretching from door to door. The reason for this step is so that no matter how many boxes you may have, there won’t be any chance of you tracking soil or dirt onto the new floor once it is unboxed.
- Next, measure the length of each side of your box of flooring. Once you have your measurements, use scissors or a utility knife to cut open the side of one end of each box.
Installing underlay
The underlay should always be used for additional soundproofing when installing any laminate. It will also help protect the surface from scratches or abrasions and helps seal up gaps or space between boards. Underlay can be purchased separately or in a ready-to-go package with the boards. It is usually rated to withstand 25-150 pounds per square foot, so use this as a guide for picking an appropriate amount for your project!
Where do you start when laying laminate flooring?
There are a few places you can buy discounted flooring in the UK. Discount Floor Depot, for example, provides customers with competitive prices and various products, including plastic vinyl tiles, hardwood floors, laminates, and more. This means that whether you need a quick fix or build an entire home from scratch, it’s easy to find something that will fit your needs and budget.
It also has an online tool that allows shoppers to filter by material type, size, color, price, and more.
What is the proper way to lay laminate flooring?
The first thing you need to do is make sure that the room is clean and well-ventilated. Then, cover your furniture with old blankets and bed sheets before starting the laying process. Next, you want to lightly spray water on the floor and use a small brush for dust or other small debris bits.
Starting in one corner of the room, pull off a laminate board from the backing paper (the brownish material) and slide it into place until it clicks into place with no overhangs. Firmly press it down against the boards below, pushing as much air under them as possible. You will also want to watch where any holes or boards which are warped are placed, so they don’t cause any damage when stepped on by people walking over them.
Is it easy to lay your laminate flooring?
If you are considering using your own DIY skills to install your own laminate floors, you should know a few things about this project.
- Laminate has both edges with some plastic sleeve or border that needs to be installed to ensure the ends don’t fray and cause damage.
- You will need at least two people on hand who can help each other with laying out the material, cutting it, and tiling together sections of the floor. There is also help to get things perfectly aligned, so pieces go seamlessly together.
What should be laid under laminate flooring?
If your room has high moisture levels or a finished lower floor, it’s best to avoid using underlay as this can create an environment for molds and dust to accumulate. You can buy high-quality felt from a home improvement store which will cost about £3 per square meter, and keep your feet warm in winter too! You should also consider this if you live in a humid climate.
There are many different underlay types, but always ensure it is well-ventilated as moisture in the air underneath the floor could cause problems. If installing new vinyl/parquet type tiles, they are much more forgiving than other laminates when installed overtop of no-prep floors with adhesive, which makes them an attractive option for many DIYers.
Final Thoughts
Always use the right tools and materials. Use them in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and safety warnings. Measure correctly, especially when dealing with irregularly shaped rooms or tight corners. If you get the measurements wrong, cut, it’s not the end of the world – start over! If you’ve nailed it with all the prep, it’s time for installation. Start by sweeping up any debris or dust, then use tape to measure out and mark where you’ll need to place your first row of planks about existing surfaces like doors and cabinets on either side. Finally, get started with installing your planks one at a time, pushing down firmly on each one for good contact before proceeding to another plank.