First Time Laminate Flooring

Vern1961

Vern1961

Vern1961

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Swindon UK
Decided to replace the tatty old foam back carpet in the computer room/study with laminate flooring. Bought the materials this morning and feeling reasonably confident after reading up on the process. However this will be the first time in over 30 years of doing my own decorating that I've actually done a laminate floor. Any tips or hints from those who've tackled this type of project, especially any pitfalls to look out for. I know the underlay should go lengthwise down the room from the window while the planks should go widthwise starting against the wall with the window.

It's only a small room, 2.4 x 3m so roughly how long should that take once I get started and up to speed?
 
its nice and easy. just take your time with cuts and all is well. its when you think you are motoring along look back and its all gone on the ****
 
I just start running planks lengthways along the longest wall in room. When you get to the end of a row, cut it and use the offcut to begin the next row. Leave a gap on edges for expansion. YouTube has good simple guides.
 
Vern1961 said:
I know the underlay should go lengthwise down the room from the window while the planks should go widthwise starting against the wall with the window.
Click to expand...

I usually lay the flooring so that it is in line with the main light source. It usually tells you to do this on the packaging and just tends to look better imo. Here is the same question answered on the quikstep website: http://www.quick-step.co.uk/en-gb/f...hat-is-the-best-direction-to-install-my-floor

It is a very easy job, but you might want to get some knee pads as it does hurt after a full day of laying a floor. On a room that size it should take a day to complete it.

Make sure to leave a 10mm expansion gap everywhere. Even under door frames etc. You dont want the laminate butting up to anything solid or you will get problems down the line. Cut under door frames with a hand saw, using a piece of scrap laminate and insulation as a guide. So the laminate can slot under it. Dont be tempted to just cut the laminate in between the door frame.

Make sure you leave the unopened packs in the room for at least 24 hours to acclimatise. Have the room heated to what it would be usually. Make sure you have all you will need inc 10% extra for wastage. You dont want to run out and have to get more as it could be a different colour if its not the same batch, plus it will be hard to clip into the existing flooring if its not acclimatised.

Removing the skirting and refitting once the floor is down is a PITA, but the results are worth the extra effort. It looks so much better than the beading to hide the expansion gap.

A jigsaw is perfect for cutting the boards. Get a pack of decent clean cut Bosch blades and they will easily do the entire job.
 
I hated laying laminate and never found it easy but then I suck at DIY. I still have nightmares of laying a plank down and trying to get it to click into place only for the effort to cause large sections to come undone and need re-doing :mad:
 
That sounds like you were using cheapo stuff. Avoid B&Q own brand stuff, or any that are less than 8mm thick. Quickstep and Krono are decent.

The new type that you can clip each board in individually are super easy to use. You used to have to clip an entire row together then it would take 2 people to clip that row in place.
 
wood2u.co.uk

buy quickstep laminate, with the quickstep green underlay (dont buy foam underlay)

http://www.wood2u.co.uk/barrier-plus-underlay-15m-roll-p-566.html

buy a gmc laminate cutter from amazon (£100)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-...8&qid=1454444220&sr=8-1&keywords=gmc+laminate

buy a cheap jigsaw from b&q (their own brand will do)

thank me for saving you hours of work and money! :cool:

I was a complete novice, and have now done my own living room and hallway, plus my parents hallway, lounge, dining room and kitchen

Tip, pull the skirting boards off and once the floor is down, pay someone to put back new skirting
 
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No need for that laminate cutter. You just cut the boards to length with a jigsaw. The edges are covered up, so it doesn't have to be neat.
 
Take your time, think about things, measure twice and cut once.

I did my garden office a couple of weeks ago and I'm really happy with the outcome. Edges may look a little tatty but that's what a surrounding bead / skirting board is for.
 
itchy said:
^^^^^Do not do this unless you are getting the room plastered.

What a mad thing to say lol. :rolleyes:
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I took the skirtings off my entire downstairs when I was laying a solid wood floor.

I've not had to replaster at all.

So you can take your eyeroll and shove it!
 
itchy said:
^^^^^Do not do this unless you are getting the room plastered.

What a mad thing to say lol. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Not mad at all, just knife along the top of the skirting to minimise damage, little bit of making good and you've a proper job. looks absolutely pony with beading can't stand it.
 
Okay, quick update - actually going quite well. Got 90% of the paneling installed yesterday afternoon, just the tricky bit by the door to do this morning. (I now ache all over).

First check was that the walls aren't at precisely 90 degrees so a bit of fettling there. I didn't bother removing skirting boards as I already bought the beading.

For "economy" Homebase 6mm brand it laid down quite well, a couple of stubborn sections where I had to pull out a couple of times and reinsert (oo-er) to get the tapping sweet spot. Looks like there will be enough planks left over to start the next room which is slightly larger.

Advice re the jigsaw was much appreciated, first cuts went a bit wild but wouldn't have fancied doing it with a tenon or fretsaw. Cheapo workbench from B&Q good enough to hold the material.

Good fun!

Pic to follow (hopefully) later on.
 
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