Can Laminate Flooring Be Installed Over Old Hardwood Floors?
The term hardwood flooring has undergone a broadening in its meaning. Traditionally, hardwood flooring indicated a floor made of solid wood. Much of today's hardwood flooring is not technically hardwood at all. There are two major types: engineered hardwood, made much like plywood; and laminate, made of a wood composite with a printed simulated wood grain surface. When looking for a suitable substrate for the installation of laminate floors, your first concern should be the condition of the floor. Any solid, level surface that is structurally sound can typically be used. Does this Spark an idea?
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Laminate Flooring Composition
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Laminate flooring planks are extruded and machined from a substance similar to hardboard, made of wood pulp with chemical binders. The top layer is a combination of printed wood grain paper and a clear top coat of acrylic finish that serves to seal the floor and protect the wood grain to maintain the floor's faux wood appearance. Laminates are typically less expensive and thinner than other types of hardwood.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
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Most hardwood more than 20 years old will be solid wood. This type of flooring is either nailed, stapled or glued into position. As long as the floor boards are sound, laminate flooring can be installed over it. Because wood is inherently subject to expanding and contracting due to changes in humidity, permanent attachment is not recommended. Laminate floors on top of old hardwood should be installed using a floating installation technique rather than staples, glue or nails.
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Floor Preparation
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Repairing soft or damaged boards, sweeping and mopping are the only surface preparations that typically need to be made before installing laminates. A layer of plastic sheeting vapor barrier prevents any moisture from building up on the underside of the laminate. Adding a layer of foam underlay on top of the vapor barrier helps to compensate for any unevenness in the floor and deadens the noise for a quieter floor.
Installation Tips
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Spacing the floor away from the walls between 1/4 and 1/2 inch will give the floor room to expand with humidity. Stagger the end joints between rows to strengthen the floor and create a more pleasing pattern. Removing base shoe or quarter-round moldings at the foot of your baseboard allows the floor to be installed closer to the baseboards. Reinstall the molding when flooring installation is complete to cover the gap along the wall for a finished look.
Laminate Maintenance
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Maintaining laminate floors is simple. They require sweeping or dust mopping to remove dust and grit that can scratch and dull the clear coat. Damp mopping periodically with a gentle detergent or vinegar and water will keep the floor in top condition. Waxes, floor polishes and other heavy products are not recommended. When mopping, keep the mop moist, not wet. Too much water can leak into the seams of the floor and cause swelling and deterioration.
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References
- Photo Credit Floor image by Einar Bog from Fotolia.com
