Laying Laminate Flooring: 13 Common Mistakes To Avoid!

Laminate flooring is made of thin sheets of wood, plastic, or other materials. It can be used in any room in the house and has a variety of styles to choose from. Laminate floors are typically less expensive than other types like hardwood or carpet and are easier to maintain.

A laminate floor is installed over existing floors, and they can be installed on top of concrete slabs as well. Installing laminate flooring is not as easy as it seems. There are many steps involved, and many mistakes are made.

One of the most common mistakes people make when laying laminate flooring is not taking the time to measure their flooring correctly. It will lead to uneven floors or gaps between planks, which look unsightly.

It’s also important to make sure you buy enough laminate planks for your space to avoid running out of materials before completing the installation.

Likewise, if you intend to install laminate flooring in your home, read this blog post to avoid mistakes when laying laminate flooring.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Laying Laminate Flooring

1. Installing Laminate Flooring Without a Professional

In most cases, people make the mistake of not getting laminate flooring installed by professionals.

It’s important to have an expert come in to do this job because they know which flooring is best for your home and how to install it. If you’re thinking about installing laminate flooring yourself, atleast hire a professional to help walk you through the proper steps.

People make another mistake by not using the right tools when installing laminate flooring. Tools like a straight edge, a utility knife, a floor roller, and metal shears are required during the entire installation process.

2. Choosing the Wrong Laminate Flooring Type

Choosing the wrong laminate flooring type can be a big mistake. It is important to make sure that you understand the different types of laminate flooring and how they are laid out. Laminate floors come in three main installation types: click-lock, glued laminate, and pre-glued laminate.

Glued laminate and pre-glued laminate flooring are better for homes with a lot of foot traffic, as the seams won’t show as much as click-lock does.

3. Not Prepping the Floor Properly

If you have previously installed carpet, vinyl, or linoleum on your floors, the first step in installing laminate flooring is to remove it.

Also, remove any nails and screws from the floor. It may sound like a daunting task, but it is one of the most important steps because if you don’t prepare the floor properly, laminate flooring won’t work as well as it could.

4. Not Protecting Your Floors From Moisture

The laminate flooring you install in areas that don’t see a lot of moisture can still be damaged by spills or accidents. Regardless of where you install your flooring, it is important to seal it.

Ensure you include sealant in your installation process, whether you use silicone caulk, glue, or another sealant. Also, make sure you remove spills as soon as possible to prevent damage.

5. Unevenly Installing Laminate Flooring

There are many different types of laminate flooring available. Some are better than others, but they all have the potential to be unequivocally established. That’s why it’s important to know how to install it properly.

The installer should work their way from left to right or right to left, installing one row at a time until they reach the opposite wall. They should always ensure no gaps between them when setting the pieces on top of each other.

Must See: The Best Way to Level a Concrete Floor For Laminate Flooring (Must Read!)

6. Not Allowing the Glue to Dry Completely

When installing a laminate floor, it is important to allow the glue to dry completely before walking on it. It causes many problems, such as lifting and buckling the new flooring, which then requires extensive repair work.

7. Scratches and Cuts in the Laminate

It is common for laminate flooring to have scratches or cuts when cutting the piece. Maybe due to using the wrong tools or installing them incorrectly. Using the wrong tools can result in large scratches that can be difficult to remove.

8. Skipping the Underlayment

Another mistake that people make is they skip installing the underlayment; This tends to feel your floor’s imperfections underfoot.

To avoid this problem, prepare your destination in advance. Apply an underlayment before installing your laminate flooring. An underlayment works by absorbing shock and pressure from walking on the floor. Apart from that, it evens out small irregularities on your floor.

Must See: Cork vs. Foam Underlayment: Which is Right for Me?

9. Not Using a Vapor Barrier

It is not recommended to install laminate flooring without a vapor barrier. A vapor barrier is a thin plastic sheet placed between the subfloor and the laminate flooring.

Vapor barriers are necessary to prevent moisture from getting into the subfloor. If moisture gets into the subfloor, it can cause mold, rot, and damage to your home.

10. Making Mistakes at the Corners and Seams

One of the most common mistakes people make when laying laminate flooring is not aligning the planks correctly. Make sure your planks are cut at a 45-degree angle, then firmly butted together.

In addition, if you need to trim a few inches off one end of the board, make sure it is aligned with the other. When installing notches and corners, you should glue them to ensure the boards fit snugly together.

11. Not Using a Leveler

Installing laminate flooring requires a level floor. Otherwise, the floor will look wavy and uneven. You can use a leveler on the walls to level the floor before installing the floor.

One way to do this is to put blue painter’s tape across the room’s baseboard where you want to install laminate. You can also use a laser level or a spirit level for more accuracy.

Must See:The Best Way to Level a Concrete Floor For Laminate Flooring (Must Read!)

12. Using faulty planks

Although a problem may seem minor, it can eventually become a serious problem if the plank is placed on the floor with others. For example, many professionals overlook bumps or blisters in the wood. It would be best if you inspected each plank before placing it.

13. Not Following Instructions Carefully

You must follow the instructions on how much adhesive and which side you should lay it on carefully when installing your laminate planks. For the best finish and longest-lasting floors, make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer before installing the floor.

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Laying Laminate Flooring: 13 Common Mistakes to Avoid!

Mistakes to Avoid When Laying Laminate Flooring

1. Installing Laminate Flooring Without a Professional