Laminate is durable, attractive and fairly easy to install. Add to that, it gives the look of stone or wood without putting a hole in your pocket. Because of that, it’s not surprising why it’s one of the most popular flooring choices around.
The need for proper installation grows in importance as laminate flooring continues to gain in popularity. Before you get started with the installation process, you might want to read through the common mistakes to avoid any issues after installation.
Installing over uneven surfaces
A sub-floor is the structure upon which your floor is anchored. The quality of your sub-floor plays an important role on the performance of your laminate flooring. Installing over an uneven surface may result in gaping and possible breakage. To fully enjoy your new floor, you need to fix your sub-floor first.
Failure to leave room for expansion
Your floor will shrink and expand during the summer and winter. That said, expansion gap necessary to avoid buckling of the floor. Always leave at least ¼ inch gap between the wall and flooring to allow for contraction and expansion.
Poor quality materials
Your flooring is one of the biggest parts of your home. It is certainly not a good idea to cut corners on something so fundamental. You may be working on a limited budget, but if you use cheap materials, it is more likely to buckle, warp or absorb stains.
While we’re not suggesting that you get the most expensive materials, you might want to invest on good quality materials.
Messed up measurements
This has been a major problem, especially for those who haven’t done this before. The problem is not just taking the exact measurement, but getting the actual square yardage of the room. This is especially difficult if you have an oddly-shaped room.
When shopping for flooring materials, we recommend getting around 15% more than what your measurement dictates. This way, you can be sure that you can finish the job, even if you messed up a few pieces.
