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*Installing Laminate Flooring*

Job site Preparation for Installing Engineered or Laminate Flooring

Laminate and engineered flooring--the two main types of flooring that can be floated--are now being produced with textures that feel good underfoot and with a solidity rivaling solid hardwood. Older floating floors had a formica type feel to them. If you look hard enough you can find almost any hardwood style or finish you want. In this article you will find basic instructions for preparing the floor for installation.

How much flooring to order:

Depending on the location and installation type, order 10% more flooring than needed to compensate for cutting losses.

Crucial Points to Remember

Install your floor under good lighting conditions. Installation site should be warmed up for 5-6 days before plank delivery regardless of the season to remove residual moisture in the sub-floor. The floor surface must never be warmer than 85°F (29.5°C) during installation or while the floor is in use.

Plan your project by making an installation sketch. Determine the installation starting point. Consider if it is one regular-shaped room, a number of rooms with landings, or rooms on one floor, including a hall or main room. Think about how to get the most out of your project. If in doubt, ask your dealer for advice.

Choose the floor plank direction. It is strongly recommended you install boards at a 45° or 90° angle to the joist direction (not applicable for installation directly on concrete).

Open several cartons of flooring at the same time as this can let you balance plank length, color and wood grain variations in the wood and ensure pieces are evenly distributed over the entire floor.

Take precautions at all times not to damage the finish. For example, place tools on a protective mat during installation. Vacuum the floor frequently to eliminate sawdust and abrasives.

Before starting installation, cut the bottom moldings around door frames to insert the floor planks. The expansion joint is necessary to allow the wood to react to changes in ambient humidity. The expansion joint will be hidden by baseboards and quarter rounds, which will be nailed to the walls and not the floor.

Jobsite Preparation

Laying the Engineered or laminate floor should be the last step of your installation. Prior to the delivery of your flooring, make sure that.
Laying the floor is the easiest part of the job. It can however become the most difficult if the preparation is not done correctly

The jobsite is properly enclosed, with all doors and windows installed.

Concrete, plaster, paint and the sub-floor are completely dry.

The heating or ventilation system is working properly and that the conditions inside your home have been kept at an approximate temperature of 70°F (20°C) and a relative humidity of 35% to 50% for at least one week.

The floor of the crawl space (if there is one) is completely covered by 6-8 mil black polyethylene film.

Wood Sub-floor

The sub-floor (plywood or OSB) moisture content must not exceed 12%, and the difference in moisture between the sub-floor and a laminate or engineered floor should not be greater than 4% of the floor planks. If the difference is too high, do not carry out installation.

Concrete Sub-floor

For concrete sub-floors, a minimum of 30 days drying time for a reliable moisture reading is necessary. Readings must not exceed 4.5% with a moisture meter for concrete (Tramex Moisture Encounter). In the presence of moisture, perform a calcium chloride test. The moisture level measured using the calcium chloride test must not exceed 3 lb. /1000 sq.ft / 24hours. If the reading exceeds 3 lbs. but is below 7 lb., install a waterproof membrane.
Important: When it comes to floor installation, moisture is an important element that should be emphasized. If the moisture content is too high, postpone floor installation. Speed up drying with extra heating and ventilation and conduct a new test a few weeks later. Never install a hardwood floor if the calcium chloride moisture test reading exceeds 7 lb. /1000 sq. ft / 24 hours.

Installation Work

Once ambient conditions are correct, bring the cases of your engineered flooring to the installation site. Open a case to check that product species, grade, color, size, and quality are correct. If all job-site conditions are in order, you may open several more cases to ensure that color variation between planks can be arranged to reflect a homogenous floor covering. You could begin installation right away, as this product does not require an acclimation period.

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