Table of Contents
Where do you start when laying laminate flooring?
Start at a straight wall and lay your first row joining all the edge boards. The first board should be a 1/2 board then continue along the row. Use spacers to ensure you maintain a 10mm gap against the wall. If you don’t have spacers some cut-offs from your laminate floor will work.
What direction should vinyl plank flooring be installed?
In the same vein, it’s typically recommended that planks are installed parallel to the longest wall of the room. So, if you’re installing vinyl planks in a 12 foot by 18 foot living room, run the planks parallel to the 18 foot wall. This will make smaller rooms feel bigger and wider.
Can you install vinyl plank flooring in both directions?
Vinyl plank flooring was designed to install in one direction but it is still possible to install it backward. When doing so, you either have to modify the tongue and groove or be prepared to work slowly and perhaps have some waste.
What side of laminate flooring should I start?
We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window). Planks are always installed from left to right.
Which side of vinyl plank goes against the wall?
The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.
Which side is the tongue on vinyl plank flooring?
The tongue on laminate flooring is the small flat edge on one side of the board, this is the top edge that is going to angle and lock into the bottom side of another board.
Can I put a refrigerator on a floating floor?
Putting a refrigerator on a floating floor is a little risky but not impossible. As much as possible, ensure that the floor does not come in direct contact with the walls or cabinets in the kitchen so that it has plenty of room to shift in any direction without creating problematic lumps.
Do you have to cut the tongue of the first row of laminate?
Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.
What part of the room should you start laminate flooring?
Always start hardwood flooring along the most prominent and noticeable wall in the room. This way, if the room is out of square, the crooked cut will be hidden under the cabinet’s toe kick. In order to keep the floor straight and square, start laying the laminate away from the wall because the wall may not be straight.
Which way should you lay flooring in Long room?
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
What are the problems with vinyl plank flooring?
Problems related to vinyl plank flooring include being prone to discoloration, stains, scratches, peeling, cracking, and crumbling at the edges. There are also certain installation-related failures that you need to watch out for. These include curling, warping, peaking, and mold and mildew.
How do you start laminate flooring in a doorway?
Plan on a seam in the middle of the doorway. Notch and cut the first piece to fit and then slide it completely under the jamb. Notch the second piece so it’ll be just short of the doorstop when it’s in place. Lift the flooring to get it around the corner and under the casing, then snap it in.
Do you need to molding between rooms?
Yes, when directed by the manufacturer T-molding transitions and expansion breaks must be used. The reasons manufacturers recommend expansion breaks and doorway transitions in floating floors is three-fold. When the indoor humidity climbs over 55% floor boards tend to swell or expand, this is normal.
Should wood flooring be laid in the same direction throughout the house?
Wood floors should always be laid perpendicular to floor joists—across rather that in between them. This will make the floors structurally sound and will help prevent the planks from separating, sagging or buckling. So, there is no right or wrong way to lay your wood flooring.
Does vinyl plank need expansion gap?
Because of vinyl flooring’s climate sensitivity, be sure to leave about a ¼-inch expansion gap around the perimeter of your floor. This way if the flooring expands it will have the space to do so and it won’t warp or buckle in the middle. Glue-down vinyl planks have their benefits as well.
Do you stagger vinyl plank flooring?
Vinyl flooring is strong and stable on its own, but staggering can add to the floor’s structural strength. Racking the planks also improves the floor’s aesthetic appeal. The trick to stagger vinyl plank flooring successfully is to play around with the minimum spacing and laying down the planks randomly.
