How to Install Laminate on a Slab
Laminate has become a popular flooring choice because it is cheaper than comparable systems and easy to install. It is a durable product that resists normal wear and tear, and is difficult to scratch. The installation doesn't require adhesive or expensive fastening tools, and anyone with a cursory knowledge of saws or woodworking can do the job. Add to this the easy cleanup and low maintenance requirements of laminate, and it's easy to understand its growing popularity. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Pry-bar
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Jig saw
- Jamb saw/hand saw
- Razor scraper
- Pencil
- Spacer blocks
- Four inch Razor Scraper
Instructions
-
-
1
Deliver the laminate to the job site and cut open the boxes. Allow the laminate to acclimate for at least two days before installation to prevent unwanted expansion or warping of the product.
-
2
Remove any existing flooring and baseboard, and scrape the slab with a 4-inch razor scraper to clean away any clumps or debris. Using a piece of laminate as a guide, undercut the door casings with a jamb saw or hand saw. Clean out from underneath them so the flooring can easily slide under during installation.
-
-
3
Roll out the foam underlayment, and tape the seams together. Leave it at least a half-inch from the wall because it will relax and expand over time. Some laminate has the foam attached to the back of the individual pieces, making this step unnecessary.
-
4
Place spacer blocks against the starting wall, leaving at least a three-eighths-inch gap between the wall and the laminate for expansion. Start installing the floor by snapping it together, working toward the opposite wall.
-
5
Install the bulk of the flooring by using the miter saw to make end cuts, and the table saw for any rip cuts around obstacles. If you encounter a floor outlet or other rounded object, use the jig saw to cut out the shape.
-
6
When you reach the opposite side of the room, use the table saw to cut the long lengths necessary to get right up to the wall. Leave an expansion gap on this wall as well. Use a pry bar to tightly seat the final boards.
-
7
Replace the existing baseboard, or install new molding as necessary, then wipe away work smudges. Check the floor for gaps or other installation issues, then clean up the work area.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Laminate is hard on saws, so use new blades, preferably carbide-tipped.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
