I paid $1200 for the flooring (single planks, 3 lengths) and supplies, and it will cost $300 to get it installed professionally. My boyfriend has never installed a laminate floor before but has a friend that could help him who installed his cheap laminate floor in his house. He hasn't installed the single plank before. It seems if there is a way to screw something up, my boyfriend will find that way. Our room is a rectangle, no fancy edges or anything in there. From what I hear, installing a laminate floor is pretty easy.
2006-08-30 02:30:08 · 14 answers · asked by hello 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Yes, most laminate flooring only requires that you click the pieces together. For looks you need to make sure that the plank ends are staggered and not all in a line. Since laminate flooring is meant to be a FLOATING floor, it doesn't require any nailing to be done. The quarter rounds at the bottom of your walls should be removed first, and the edges of the flooring should ultimately end up under these when you re-install, AND when they are re-installed they should NOT be put right down onto the flooring. Floating floors need to move to allow for expansion and contraction.
Are all of the above enough reasons to pay the $300 to have your investment professionally installed?
2006-08-30 02:40:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's very easy to install. Just make sure that the floor trim covers the edge of the laminate flooring. Probably easiest to install the flooring then nail on your floor trim. Also make sure to use sealant to cover/seal any cracks where two pieces of laminate come together. Otherwise dirt will get in the crack and you will notice the crack. Also let the puddy that you put on the floor dry for about a half hour or so to become tacky before laying the laminate flooring down. It will stick better (see directions on container). If you do happen to puncture a hold in the flooring don't worry, place a matching square over the damaged area, line it up, then cut the patch and damaged area at the same time with a utility knife. Make sure to keep the knife blade strait up and down while cutting. Then puddy, allow it to dry, roll it flat with a kitchen rolling pin and seal the seams.
Remember, line up the designs and cut at the same time for seams then seal them.
2006-08-30 06:58:01 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I installed laminate flooring in my house too alone without prior experience or help. Due to my occasional screw ups, i paid a visit to my local home depot and bought a do it yourself book which helped. In your case I'd say give him a chance and do the job slowly so as to observe how well he's doing. If its bad you pull the plug and hire a professional. If he does it well, he earns your respect and you save some money and in the unfortunate scenario he screws up, you can say you gave him a chance and he blew it. On the worse side you would have to buy a few additional planks and on the better side you have a lot to gain (appreciation in his part & saving $300).
2006-08-30 02:42:02 · answer #3 · answered by Stillmatic 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been in remodeling for many years and I would not recommend anyone to install a laminate floor that will not stand behind it. 300.00 is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Another thing, laminate floors are NOT easy to install for a professional look. The seems will look terrible if do-it-yourselves install a laminate flooring. Trust Me!!!
2006-08-30 06:43:40 · answer #4 · answered by Juble 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The way you talk about him, maybe you should find a new boyfriend. I say let him do it, its not rocket science. I installed wood flooring in my last house, alot of work, but it looked GREAT, and my wife rewarded me plenty afterwards.. wink wink... I say let him do it, installing laminate flooring is WAAAAY easy, its much like using legos. Trust me, he can do it, if he is willing to do the actual work, and you can spend the 300$ afterwards on more stuff for your room, or... how about some MAC makeup. lol....
2006-08-30 06:07:33 · answer #5 · answered by jeff the drunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would remove the laminate, install a good vapor barrier 15# felt and install the hardwood.
2016-03-27 01:09:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless he's a total klutz he should be able to handle it. One thing to be aware of though is to allow for expansion. My son in law (a very adept person at that sort of thing) installed mine for me but wasn't thinking of expansion. Now the flooring is bowed at the joints as a result of his not remembering the expansion element. We will now have to take it all up and start again. But it is extremely simple to do. Not to mention it looks really nice when done correctly. Reading the instructions first would be a big help. The box should have instructions on it.
2006-08-30 02:43:18 · answer #7 · answered by john h 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes, if its the snap and lay kind it is easy-- just remember to keep 1/4 to 1/2 inch space along all edges of the room so that it can contract and shrink with the temperatures-- in my house,I gave it 1/2 inch on all edges and put down 3/4 inch corner round to cover it up like you suppose to if its the glue type --- its a little tougher
2006-08-30 02:39:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ladder Captain-29 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my husband put our laminate flooring down with no problem. just make sure he reads the directions first and measures twice before he makes a cut!
2006-08-30 02:37:05 · answer #9 · answered by just forgiven 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure he watches the video first. It's tough but can be done. My husband sounds like your boyfriend. It's not brain surgery but there is definitely a correct way to do it. Men hate instructions. Make sure you stand over him and watch the video also. We got ours done and after we got started, it was not too bad. It's getting started in the right manner that is important.
2006-08-30 02:36:15 · answer #10 · answered by Chloe 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋