6 steps to properly install engineered Laminate flooring
Installing engineered Laminate flooring with the right technique will create a beautiful project, minimizing problems with Laminate flooring such as warping, shrinkage, and wall bumps during use.
The article provides detailed instructions on 6 steps to install standard laminate flooring, including: Surveying the installation area, installing the baseboard, laying the foam lining, installing the first floorboard, assembling the floorboard with the yin-yang locking groove and installing the wooden floor accessories.
Before construction, ensure the surface is flat with a difference of no more than 2mm/1000mm, clean and dry. The wooden floor needs to be stabilized in the installation environment for 48 hours before installation.
When installing, it is necessary to leave an expansion gap of 12-18mm with the wall. For rooms with a width and floor length of over 7m, it is necessary to use T-shaped strips to divide the area. The article also mentions how to install herringbone wood floors and experiences in preserving and using beautiful and durable wood floors.
Step 1: Survey the installation area
The first step before proceeding with the installation of laminate flooring is to survey the construction site, ensuring that the project meets the following conditions:
- Flat surface, difference not more than 2mm/1m.
- Clean and dry surface.
- Calculate the distance between the floor and the door base about 10-15mm.
- Do not install heavy kitchen appliances or cabinets on the floor.
Distance between floor and foot of door 10 - 15mm with respect to flooring thickness 8 – 12mm. This is the distance that allows us to open and close the door easily without difficulty.
In addition, we need to take measures to prevent termites before installing laminate flooring if the building is located in a humid area, with many trees and using wooden furniture.
Recommendation: We only install floors in interior spaces (prioritize locations away from the sun), do not install laminate flooring in exterior areas.
To adapt wooden floors to the temperature and humidity of the building
The wooden floor needs to be stabilized in the installation environment for at least 48 hours before construction. This helps the wooden floor minimize the risk of shrinkage, expansion, and warping.
- The ideal room temperature is 18 degrees Celsius or higher, the minimum floor surface temperature is 15 degrees Celsius.
- Air humidity should be maintained between 40 – 70%.
- Never install wooden floors when the cement floor is not completely dry. The humidity of the cement floor before installing the wooden floor is <2.0 CM%. When testing the humidity of the cement floor, customers can use measuring devices such as Tramex CME4, Trotec T660.
Step 2: Install the base plate
Wooden floor moldings are divided into 2 parts: molding cover and molding base. The molding base is fixed to the surface of the construction with glue and nails. We often attach the base at the point where the floor needs to end such as: Doors (using the T brace), interior storage area (use the F . brace).
Recommendation:
- The base is mounted on the tile floor without nails, avoiding broken tiles.
- Room width, length > 7m Then use T-brackets to divide the areas.
Step 3: Lay the foam underlay on the wooden floor
Foam flooring panels Usually PE Foam, silver foam or latex. Their uses are:
- Protect the floor from harmful agents originating from the foundation below.
- Supports the floorboards smoothly and reduces noise when moving.
- Protect the lock from breaking when the wooden floor is impacted by external force
Recommendation: When laying the foam floor mats, we should not overlap the foam. To ensure that, we will use additional tape to seal the foam edges.
Step 4: Install the first laminate flooring
To install laminate flooring, first place the positive groove facing the wall and the negative groove facing outward.
The distance from the wall depends on the expansion ratio of the wooden floor, Kosmos recommends:
- Distance 12 – 15mm: For Kosmos green core, Robina Aqua, Egger Aqua wooden floors.
- Distance 15 – 18mm: For Kosmos yellow core, Robina Classic, Egger Classic, Galamax wooden floors.
Step 5: Assemble the floorboards using the yin-yang locking groove
Today's laminate flooring is assembled using a locking system, also known as a yin-yang joint. We will attach the yin joint to the yang joint of the board and repeat the operation continuously until a complete floor is completed.
Recommendation: We use a rubber hammer to lightly tap the edge of the board to increase the tightness of the locking groove. You can still use a high hardness accessory such as an iron hammer to perform this operation, provided that you use an additional buffer. The buffer will ensure that the edge of the board is not damaged.
| Lock groove thickness table | |
| 12mm Singer horizontal groove | 3.55 mm |
| 12mm Singer vertical groove | 3.75 mm |
| 8mm Unilin horizontal groove | 3.7 mm |
| 8mm Unilin vertical groove | 3.1 mm |
Step 6: Install vinyl floor accessories
We will install the skirting cover into the skirting base to secure the floor and install the skirting at the base of the wall to cover the gap.
What is special about herringbone Laminate flooring?
Herringbone laminate flooring is divided into A and B boards. When installed, A and B boards will be fitted diagonally to each other, forming a 90 degree angle. After installation, use a rubber hammer to tap lightly so that the locking groove is tight.
In case the first herringbone wooden floorboard is installed next to the wall, the edge of the board must be adjusted accordingly (for example: When installing next to a flat wall, the edge of the board must be cut at a 45 degree angle).
Experience in using beautiful and durable wooden floors
To ensure that the wooden floor is always durable and beautiful, during the process of using the wooden floor, you need to pay attention to the following issues:
- Do not drag heavy, sharp or pointed objects on the floor.
- Do not use sharp objects to clean the floor.
- Only use very little diluted detergent for cleaning.
- Use a damp, wrung-out cloth to clean the floor. Do not pour water directly onto the floor.
- Do not let water splash/flood on the floor.
- Suitable temperature for the floor is not more than 50 degrees Celsius, should not be placed near high heat sources (eg: coal stove, gas stove, ...).
- Product maintenance every 3 – 6 months.
Frequently asked questions when installing wooden floors
What are the common problems with Laminate flooring?
Here are some common problems with Laminate flooring:
- Wood floor with open joints: The main causes of gaps in wooden floors are weak locking joints, damp subfloors, or wooden floors that have been soaked in water for a long time.
- Wooden floors make noise when moving: Do not use foam layer or when spreading foam layer on the floor, let the foam layers overlap or the construction surface is not flat and clean.
- Wooden floor is bumped by wall: Do not leave a gap between the wall and the floor, or leave an unreasonable gap (the standard gap between the floor and the wall is from 12 - 18mm).
- The wooden floor is warped: The cause of this condition is that the wooden floor is exposed to sunlight for too long or is flooded for many days.
What tools do I need to prepare for laying wooden floors?
Tools needed to lay wooden floors include:
- Measure: Tape measure, ruler to measure the floor and the distance between the floor and the wall.
- Hammer, pad: Used to knock floorboards together without damaging the locking groove.
- Pencil: To mark the positions that need to be cut and joined.
- BandageUsed to stick foam flooring.
- Nail: Fixed installation of baseboards, skirting boards, etc.
- Cutting machines: Precise and fast cutting for floor panels.
Popular Laminate flooring accessories?
There are many reasons to get vaccinated, here are ten obvious ones, but there are more Some wooden floor accessories popular.
- Splint: Helps connect floorboards and divide rooms.
- Splint F: Helps cover the corners and edges of the floor, creating aesthetics.
- Skirting board: Covers the gap between the floor and the wall, creating a seamless look that increases the aesthetics of the building.
- Floor Sponge: There are 3 popular types: 2mm white foam, 3mm silver foam, 2mm rubber foam to help with soundproofing, heat insulation, creating a softer surface and supporting moisture resistance from the bottom to the wood core.
Properly installing wooden floors is the key to having a beautiful and durable floor. The experiences in installing wooden floors shared above will help you avoid common problems with wooden floors, help the floor achieve the life expectancy recommended by the manufacturer and maintain its aesthetics throughout the use.
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