Home floor replacement can completely revamp its appearance and overall value. When renovating one section or performing the entire house remodel, understanding the floor installation process is crucial. This complete guide walks you from planning to long-term maintenance so that you may have a successful and rewarding endeavor.
Benefits of Proper Floor Installation
Accurate installation of the flooring has several advantages. It enhances the looks and atmosphere of your home, its worth increases, and it provides a cozy, secure way of life. Furthermore, self-installation of the floor could be cost-effective and gives a sense of satisfaction of having done a wonderful job at home.
Preparing for Floor Installation
The key to a successful floor installation is preparation. To do this, it is necessary to carefully inspect the site and obtain proper equipment and equipment.
Inspecting the Site
Begin by checking the in-place subfloor. It needs to be level, clean, and dry. Pull up the existing floor covering such as carpet or tile. Determine where to put damage in the way of cracks or holes to leave a level, stable surface.
Testing for moisture should also be done to avoid future problems such as warping or buckling. Your new floor should have appropriate subfloor moisture levels for you.
Tools and Equipment Needed
The below are strictly necessary: tape measure, utility knife, flooring spacers, rubber mallet and tapping block, and pull bar.
Depending on what you have lying around on the floor, you can also need a circular saw or jigsaw, level, pry bar, chalk line, and glue or nails depending on the situation. Remember to include knee pads on the list for convenience.
Selecting the Correct Material for Flooring Installation
Good material for flooring is necessary for functionality as well as appearance. Think of what types of flooring are there and what they can accomplish prior to having a choice in your mind. There are numerous types of flooring that DIYers can simply install.
Laminate flooring
Laminate flooring is installed since it’s durable, cost-effective, and one can simply fit it with the click-and-lock method.
LVP and LVT
Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and tile (LVT) are easy to install, waterproof, and long-lasting and thus can be placed in the kitchen and bathroom. Engineered wood offers the perception of genuine wood with additional steadiness.
SPC flooring
SPC (stone plastic composite) flooring is also a good choice, which is not only water-resistant and eco-friendly but also durable.
Benefits of Laminate Flooring
Four layers of the laminate flooring are wear-resistant layer, decorative layer, base material layer, and balance layer. Wear-resistant layer provides scratch protection and wear protection. Decorative layer provides beauty with wood grain or other pattern. Base material layer, high-density fiberboard, provides stability and water resistance. The balance layer provides deformation protection.
Measuring Durability and Beauty
When choosing the floor material, balance durability with appearance. Consider the room usage and traffic. Choose a floor material that will match your home furniture and individual taste.
Lanhe offers different patterns including Oak, Ash, Birch, Maple, Walnut, Beech, and Cherry. Lanhe laminate floor also includes E0, E1, and E2 levels of formaldehyde emission as green protection.
Installing the Floor: Step-by-Step Guide
After preparing the area and selecting the material, install your new floor using the following steps for successful installation.
Laying the Floor
Starting with the First Row: Begin in a room corner and position the first row along a straight line of chalk, with spacers to keep an expansion gap.
Install the Planks/Tiles: Install side by side the planks or tiles that have the click-and-lock system or adhesive. Tap into position with tapping block and rubber mallet to snug fit.
Stagger the Seams: Stagger the seams by cutting the first piece of each other row so that it will be more natural and floor stronger.
Cut to Fit: Trim the bottom panel in each course to fit with a utility saw or knife.
Finish the Last Row: Fit the final pieces in tight using a pull bar.
Choosing Quality Floor Accessories
Lanhe offers different Floor Accessories like T-Moulding, Reducer, and Skirting in sizes like Skirting 60, Skirting 80, and Skirting 905 to make your home look uniform and new.
Baseboards and trims complete the expansion gap and provide a clean finish.
T-moulding is used to connect two floors of the same level.
Reducers are used to connect floors of varying levels.
Skirting provides a decorative finish against the wall.
Area and Material Quantity Calculation
Measure the room’s width and length to calculate the room’s overall square footage. Do not forget to account for closets, niches, and other rooms that have carpet covering them. Map out the room and write down the measurements to help with planning the room’s design.
Purchasing the Right Amount of Material
Purchase 8-10% above the flooring material of your square foot calculation to allow for cutting and waste. Underlayment and accessories are determined by the room sizes. It is always wise to have excess material halfway through installing the floor.
Inexpensive Flooring Installation Options
DIY installation of the floor is affordable, as long as you plan ahead and determine whether professional or DIY installation will work for you.
Budgeting Flooring Installation
Set a complete budget that includes the cost of the floor material, underlayment, fixtures of the floor, equipment, and miscellaneous supplies.
DIY vs Professional
DIY fit will be less costly, but it will require effort, time, and patience.
It is a nice finish and an investment to engage in fiddly work or even if you are not courageous enough to attempt it yourself.
Taking Care of Your New Floor
Care is the key to longevity and appearance of your new floor. Follow the below tips to ensure optimum performance of your floor.
After-Installation Care
Once installed, sweep or vacuum the floor to eliminate dust or dirt. Mop the floor with a damp mop and a cleaning solution appropriate to your floor type. Do not use too much water because certain flooring will be ruined by it.
Long-Term Maintenance Tips
Sweep or vacuum the floor daily or every other day to eliminate dirt and debris.
Use mats or rugs in high traffic areas to floor cover.
Sweep up spills right away to prevent staining or damaging the floor.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals, which will destroy the finish on the floor.
Protect floors by putting protectors under furniture legs to prevent scratching.
In making the choice of materials, consider Shandong Lanhe Import and Export Co., Ltd., which deals in classy Laminate flooring1 and some related Floor Accessories. Lanhe Laminate flooring is said to be a blend of elegance, durability, and ease of installation and thus the perfect option for any home.