When laying laminate flooring around a closet, the first step is to measure the width of the closet, then cut a piece of laminate to fit the space. Make sure to leave a small expansion gap around the edges of the closet, usually about 1/4 inch.
Place the laminate boards with their grooved edges towards the wall and use a tapping block and mallet to properly secure them. Then use a flush trim saw to neatly cut the boards so they fit nicely around the sides of the closet.
Finally, use a flooring trowel to apply an appropriate adhesive to the back of the boards and carefully position them. Secure the boards into place by tapping them lightly with a flooring mallet and then use a pull bar to ensure they fit snugly into the surrounding flooring.
Once the job is complete, either use a piece of quarter round or other trim to cover up the expansion gap between the closet and laminate boards.
How do you lay laminate flooring from a hallway to a room?
Laying laminate flooring from a hallway to a room is a fairly simple process that can be completed in a few simple steps. First, you will need to clear the area of any furniture or obstacles to ensure you have a smooth and unobstructed space to work in.
Then you should measure and mark the area with a pencil to note where the boards will fit and how far they will extend into the room. Once you have a plan, you can begin to install your laminate flooring.
Start in the hallway and line the flooring boards up with the walls, pressing them together to make sure they fit snugly together. Make sure to leave an outward expansion gap of 8-10mm between the walls and the flooring.
Cut any pieces to the size needed to fit any obstacles or corners. Use a saw to cut the pieces and then secure them to the subfloor with adhesive or nails. Continue down the hall until you reach the room.
Once in the room, you can adjust the flooring pieces to fit the door frames or any other obstacles. Make sure to leave an outward expansion gap of 8-10mm between the door frames and flooring and make sure the pieces fit snugly together.
Once in the room, use a saw to cut the pieces to size, then secure them to the subfloor with adhesive or nails.
Finally, clean up the area and secure any skirting or moldings you may have to the edges of the flooring. You can also install a door threshold if necessary. With these steps, you should have no trouble laying laminate flooring from a hallway to a room.
Can you lay laminate through doorways?
Yes, it is possible to lay laminate through doorways, though there are a few considerations to be aware of. When you lay the new laminate floor, the planks should be extended in the same direction as the doorway, so that a continuous line is created and joins the new flooring with the old.
The planks should also be extended to the left of the doorway, otherwise the entrance may look crooked and mismatched. If there is an uneven area beneath the doorframe, use some thin pieces of plywood to raise the height before applying the laminate.
When cutting the planks to fit around the frame, use a fine-toothed saw and finish with a file and sandpaper. Finally, seal the entire area with a good quality floor sealant.
Does it matter which direction you lay laminate flooring?
Yes, it does matter which direction you lay laminate flooring. The direction you lay laminate flooring depends on several factors, including the shape and size of the room, what type of laminate you are using, and personal preference.
Generally, it is recommended to lay the laminate flooring in the same direction as the main source of light in the room, such as a window or door. This allows the planks to open the room up, filling it with natural light, and the grains and colors appear more uniform.
Additionally, you want to make sure the planks run parallel to the longest wall in the room this will draw your eye along the wall’s length, creating the illusion of a larger room. Lastly, because of the interlocking design, it’s important to make sure the grooves on the sides of each plank run the same direction.
If you don’t, you won’t be able to join the planks correctly, compromising the look of your floor.
Where do you transition flooring in a doorway?
When transitioning flooring in a doorway, there are two common methods that are often used. The first is to install the two types of flooring at a perpendicular angle to one another, such as a 90-degree angle.
This will create a seam that is both decorative and functional, ideal for a door way or transition from one room to the next. The second method is to overlap the two types of flooring with a junction bar, also known as a reducer strip.
A reducer strip is a strip of either wood or metal that is placed over the two types of flooring in order to hide the seam. In this instance the two types of flooring are typically kept even, meaning one edge is placed over the other and the reducer strip covers up any gaps.
Both of these methods will work well for transitioning flooring in a doorway, although the second requires more precise cutting in order to fit the seam together properly.
How do you start the first row of laminate flooring?
When beginning the first row of laminate flooring, it is important to ensure the boards are laid correctly for a neat and correct finish. Care should be taken to ensure the boards are lying flat, and the click and lock mechanism is correctly engaged.
Before you begin, you should measure and mark the starting wall, ensuring to leave a 5– 8mm gap for the expansion joint. The first row should be laid lengthways, with the longer side along the wall – this will make a visual reference for any further rows.
Ensure the edges are flush with the wall and the board is straight, paying attention to any slopes in the room. To stabilize the first row and give smoother result, weights can be used to hold down the boards and ensure they remain immobile while being laid.
Next, you should use a tapping block and hammer to together the pieces of the laminate boards and to secure them in place. Place the tapping block over the end of the lock of the previous board and gently tap with a hammer to secure the board further into the click system.
Finally, fit the skirting boards along the perimeter of the room to give a neat finish, covering the gap between the floor and wall.
Why do you leave a gap when laying laminate flooring?
It is important to leave a gap when laying laminate flooring to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature and moisture changes. The expansion gap around the perimeter of the room should be approximately 8-10mm and any internal dividing walls should have a gap of 4-6mm.
The gap should remain throughout the entire installation process to ensure that the flooring is not under undue stress or pressure which could cause it to expand or contract in an uneven or unsightly fashion.
Additionally, leaving a gap will ensure that seams remain tight and secure, which is necessary for the longevity and appearance of the laminate flooring.
Do you need transition strips between rooms with laminate flooring?
Yes, transition strips between rooms with laminate flooring are necessary for a few reasons. Transition strips provide protection and a smooth transition between rooms with different flooring surfaces.
This helps protect the flooring in each room from damage due to abrupt changes in height and allows for a much smoother transition. Transition strips also help prevent dirt and moisture from transferring between rooms.
Installing a transition strip allows for an obvious visual difference between two rooms, making it a great way to create a clean, crisp line between two spaces. Finally, transition strips help to eliminate noise between two rooms, reducing sound transfer between floors.
All in all, transition strips are a great way to protect both flooring surfaces and create a more visually appealing and quieter transition between rooms.
Does laminate flooring need transitions between rooms?
Yes, transitions between rooms are typically needed when laying laminate flooring in order to provide an attractive, finished look and to help protect the edges of the floor from damage. Transitions are also used to connect different flooring materials, such as laminate and tile, carpet or hardwood.
Transition pieces can come in a variety of shapes and materials and can be used to create a smooth transition from one room to the next, or to create a decorative design element. It is important to use transition pieces to ensure a smooth, professional-looking installation.
Which way do you lay laminate in a hallway?
When laying laminate flooring in a hallway, it’s important to pay close attention to the direction in which the planks are laid. Generally, it’s best to lay the laminate in the same direction as the longest wall in the hallway.
This will help give the impression of a longer hallway, which is ideal for small or narrow hallways. Additionally, if there is more than one door in the hallway, it’s a good idea to lay the planks out with the doorways in mind; that way, planks will start and end at the doorways and will give the hallway a smoother, finished look.
When laying the laminate, it’s important to start in the center of the hallway and work your way out to the sides, meaning that you’ll need to cut the planks as you go. When cutting the planks, be sure to use the correct saw blade to make a clean cut that won’t ruin the edges of the planks.
Additionally, be sure to use a tapping block to help secure the planks into place and prevent any damage to the planks when they are being laid.
Once all of the planks have been laid and the hallway looks complete, it’s important to apply a sealant to the planks in order to help protect them from dirt and moisture. This can be done using an aerosol sealant, which will help ensure that the hallway stays looking its best for years to come.
What happens if you don’t leave an expansion gap on laminate flooring?
If you don’t leave an expansion gap when installing laminate flooring, you could cause serious damage to your flooring. The expansion gap is necessary to allow space for the wood planks to expand when temperatures and humidity levels change.
Without the gap, the flooring can buckle, gap, warp, and even separate due to excessive expansion. This is especially likely to occur around the perimeter of the room and the transition to a different flooring type.
The gap will vary based on the type of flooring and the size of the room but is typically from 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. It’s important to verify these measurements with the specific manufacturer’s instructions before installation.
Should laminate run the same direction in every room?
The answer is yes, laminate flooring should generally run the same direction in every room. This is because it gives the entire space a consistent look. Additionally, running the flooring in the same direction helps create a cohesive flow, making the space feel larger.
When installing laminate flooring, always try to picture it as one big room. Starting in one corner, lay the boards down all in the same direction, running them through the room in a nice straight line.
This will help avoid irregularities or discrepancies in the pattern of the laminate, making it look much more uniform.
Laminates are also much easier to install when they are running the same direction. If hardwood is running one direction and laminate is running another, it can create a noticeable bump when transitioning to the new flooring.
A smoother transition can often be achieved by running the laminate the same direction as the hardwood.
In summary, it’s best to run laminate in the same direction in each room. This will create a consistent, uniform look, and it can make installation much easier.
How much space do you leave between the wall and laminate flooring?
When installing laminate flooring, it is important to leave an expansion gap between the laminate flooring and the wall to allow for natural expansion and contraction of the flooring due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Generally speaking, the gap should be between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch, but it could be as much as 3/8 inch or 3/4 inch depending on the kind of flooring you are installing. Additionally, you should also leave a gap of 1/4 inch or more around any columns or pipes in the area, and at any doorways or openings.
It’s important to make sure these gaps are uniform throughout the flooring to ensure an even, professional installation.
Should you lay flooring horizontal or vertical?
When considering the question of whether you should lay flooring horizontally or vertically, there are a few factors to consider. Horizontal and vertical flooring installation depends on the design of the space, the size and shape of the room, and, importantly, the type of flooring that is being installed.
Hardwood flooring, for example, typically looks best when it is installed horizontally. This is because it emphasizes the longer planks, creating a more spacious feel in the room. It also covers a larger surface area and is often better for disguise any flaws or imperfections.
Ceramic tile is often installed vertically, however. This is because the eye is often naturally drawn vertically, and when installed this way, it can make a room look more spacious. It also can give the illusion of height, which can be an attractive feature, in certain spaces.
In the end, the decision of whether to lay flooring horizontally or vertically will largely depend on individual tastes and preferences. However, it is important to keep the above considerations in mind when making the decision and weigh the different pros and cons in order to make the best decision possible.
Which direction should you run vinyl plank flooring?
When installing vinyl plank flooring, it is important to run the planks in the same direction as the main source of light in the room. This will create the illusion of one continuous floor, helping the room appear more spacious.
Additionally, the length of the planks should follow the longest wall in the room. Doing this will draw the eye along the wall and help to make the room appear more elongated. If the room is an irregular shape, it is best to choose a main wall and install the planks along it.
Finally, any planks that will run into a doorway should run parallel to the door.