6 Common Mistakes When Installing Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring has grown so much in popularity in the past years because of its cost-effectiveness and convenience. Homeowners who are looking for an easy re-do of their floors can do so with laminate flooring. This type of flooring is easy to install and is perfect for the DIY-ers out there.

If you’re thinking of getting laminate flooring, you need to do it right. Therefore, here are some of the most common mistakes you need to avoid:

1.Using Them in the Wrong Areas

One of the things you need to know about laminate flooring is that it shouldn’t be in a place where there’s a high amount of moisture. That’s why you need to choose the right location for it.

Avoid using laminate flooring in the kitchen, baths, and entryways because they can cause buckling and bubbling when the underlying wood substrate absorbs water.

2.Failing to Seal

Even though kitchens and baths should be avoided when it comes to laminate flooring, many people still use them in these areas. Aside from the wrong location, one of the common mistakes here is that some would not take the time to learn how to seal the joints properly.

3.Failing to Have the Laminate Floor Planks Acclimate

When you don’t acclimate the lamina floor planks, it can cause buckling or unsightly gaps. The best thing to do to avoid this is to get your materials in the area so they can acclimate to the temperature and humidity. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, which must be between 48 and 72 hours.

4.Failing to Ensure the Floor Is Levelled

Make sure the subfloor is perfectly level to prevent soft spots. With soft spots, they can lead to the edges that experience more wear and tear than they should.

Avoid this by making sure there’s no more than 1/8 of an inch tolerance. Grinding, sanding, and using self-leveling materials will help ensure that the floor is leveled before installing your laminate flooring.

5.Not Using Underlayment

Underlayment is a crucial part of laminate flooring; this is because this type of flooring is so thin that it doesn’t have structural integrity. In turn, it bends and flexes easily. With an underlayment, which is a thin layer of foam, it can absorb small deviations in the subfloor. However, make sure you pick the right underlayment for your installation.

6.Not Having Enough Clearance Around the Room’s Perimeter

Always remember that laminate flooring is designed to be installed as a floated floor, which means that it shouldn’t be glued or nailed to the sub-floor that expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes. That’s why when there’s not enough clearance around the perimeter of the room, floor buckling often occurs, which can be a huge problem.

Conclusion

When it comes to laminate flooring, these are the common mistakes you need to avoid. If you want to get the most out of this type of flooring option, it’s essential you know the right things to do; otherwise, you could end up spending more money than you intended.

Pick from a wide selection of laminate flooring here at Global Carpets. We also offer quality after-sales services to ensure you have an excellent experience with our products. Contact us today!