How to Lay Laminate Flooring on Old Hardwood Floor
Laminate flooring is a great choice for updating your old hardwood floor. It comes in a variety of styles, is resilient and is much cheaper than trying to replace an entire hardwood floor. Installation on hardwood floors is actually a bit easier than on a concrete subfloor because you don't need to worry about installing a moisture barrier. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Floor sander
- Sandpaper
- Hacksaw
- Hammer
- Vacuum
- Laminate flooring
- Table saw
- Measuring tape
- Block of wood
- Pry bar
- Quarter round molding
Instructions
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1
Ensure that the floor is level and free of debris. This includes any old nails or screws that are poking up. Either hammer these in or use a hacksaw to saw off the tops to make them flush. Sand down any high spots in the floor, either by hand or by using a floor sander. Be sure to vacuum up all the dust.
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2
Allow the laminate to sit in the room for at least 48 hours to come to room temperature.
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3
Cut the foam padding to the size of the room. If more than one sheet is needed, lay two sheets next to each other without overlapping. Do not secure them to each other.
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4
Lay your first laminate board in one corner of the room. Use laminate flooring spacers to keep this plank 1/4 inch from each wall. This provides the expansion joint, allowing the laminate to grow and shrink.
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5
Take a second laminate board and cut it in half. Turn it so that the cut end is facing the wall, making sure to use the laminate spacer. Hold it at a 45 degree angle to the first board and insert the tongue into the groove. Press down firmly on the board until you hear it snap into place. Take the block of wood and hold it next to the board. Tap the hammer on the block to ensure a nice, tight fit.
By cutting the boards, you stagger them so that the installation looks more natural.
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6
Return to the first row and lay another whole board of laminate against the head of the first board. Lock this board into place using the tongue and groove as you did the second board. Also, don't forget to use the spacers along the wall.
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7
Go back to the second row and add another whole board, repeating the process above.
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8
When you reach the wall, measure and cut the last laminate boards to fit. You will have to use the pry bar to wedge these last boards into place along the wall. Don't forget the spacers.
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9
Repeat the process above, first laying one row and then the next, until you have covered the floor.
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Measure the first side of the room and cut the quarter round molding to fit. Remove the spacers, and then nail the quarter round in place along the wall, covering the expansion joint. Repeat this for the other sides of the room.
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Tips & Warnings
Foam padding comes in different depths and soundproofing levels. You can adjust this to your particular installation.
Always wear proper safety equipment when working around power tools.
