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We want you to be happy with your new laminate flooring. If you decided to install your floor by yourself and in order to ensure that you will enjoy years of pleasurable use, please go through this brief checklist prior installation. You have to know that warranty claims against flooring products usually turn out to be damage caused by wrong installation, rather than faulty material. You will have manufacturer warranty coverage as long as you follow manufacture's instruction. So be sure to read all instructions provided by manufacturer before laying, as different laminate may require different techniques.
Subfloor must be checked prior to installation
Make sure the subfloor is level and in good repair
Clear all loose debris and dirt before laying the foam underlayment
Structurally Sound - nail or screw loose areas that squeak and replace damaged areas that are loose or have been damaged by moisture.
Dry- check moisture in the subfloor using a moisture meter 12% or less.
Acceptable common subfloors: exterior grade plywood, OSB board, concrete slab, existing wood (not adhered to the concrete), vinyl, Ceramic floor, terrazzo, particle board
Non-Acceptable subfloors: carpet, cushioned floors, perimeter glued vinyl.
Acclimation-before you start laying your floor must be conditioned for at least 48 hours.
Cross stack the unopened boxes in the room where the floor is to be installed.
Heating/ air conditioning must be on and set at minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Radiant heat -radiant heat must be operating for a minimum of three weeks prior to the installation of laminate flooring.
Heating system should be turned off at the time of installation or if in winter should be set at exactly 65 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 48 hours prior the installation.
After floor installation the operating temperature can be increased by a maximum of 5 degrees Fahrenheit in a 24-hour period.
Maximum allowable surface temperature for laminate floors is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be sure to install vapor underlayment.
Underlayment- laminate flooring requires an underlayment to be installed prior to the floor covering installation.
Use regular underlayment for wood subfloor.
Use vapor underlayment for: wood subfloor over crawl space, in manufactured houses, vinyl installed over concrete, cement subflloor, ceramic tile installed over cement subfloor, radiant floor We carry 3mm thick universal 2 in1 laminate flooring underlayment., this is regular underlayment with vapor film attached to it. Be sure to tape together the seams of your underlayment as you are laying it.
For impact sound and thermal insulation, please use underlayment such Harmony Silent Underlayment with sound reduction design. This underlayment is good for any type of subfloor.
Expansion joints- be sure to leave expansion gap around the perimeter of the floor, and around any stationary objects such as pipes, columns, build in cabinets.
Expansion joint requirement vary depending on the type of laminate flooring product you are installing, but it must be minimum of 3/8"
In most cases you don't need expansion joint in a single room up to 30 linear feet or/and 1,000 square feet.
Leave expansion gap installing transition moldings as well. Check laminate boards before installation.
Examine the quality of each laminate board before installation. Put damaged pieces on side , sometimes you can use them as "starters".
If after opening 3 boxes you have more faulty material, contact seller before opening next box.
Final advice
Most manufacturers have very detailed installation instructions on their web site. Take advantage of it and check it out before installation. It's FREE. However, if for some reason in any stage of installation you have doubt in your ability to successfully finish it, hire a professional installer who is BBB listed , insured and can give you at least one recommendation. Don't be shy to call his customer to check quality of his work. You can always count on our technical support. We are authorized distributor of the top quality laminate flooring and our well trained flooring specialists are here to answer all your questions. Call us anytime during work hours - we will be happy to help!
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