19 Jun Floor Installation – A Comprehensive Guide to Floor Laying
Looking to have a comfortable home that fits your personal style? Start with the flooring! This article will show you floor laying methods and flooring styles, helping you to create the home of your dreams.
Laminate Floor Installation Method [EC1]
Clean the Surface and Lay Moisture-proof Membrane
First, clean all the dust from the floor, keeping it dry. Then, lay a 0.05mm moisture-proof film and a 2mm IXPE pad on the floor to reduce the possibility of moisture penetration and to mitigate footstep noise. These must cover all areas where the floor will be laid. After that, you can start laying the laminate floors.
Start from the Wall Edge
Laminate flooring typically features a click locking system design. It is generally recommended to start floor installation from the corner of the wall. Simply align the connections correctly.
Lay According to the Route from the Entrance
You can also lay the laminate floor in the order of your movement from the entrance to the living room and then to the bedroom. This makes the overall flooring effect feel more comfortable and natural.
Install at Corners or Joint Areas
For corners, cut the laminate flooring into the corresponding shape. Remember, there should be a distance of 8 to 10 mm between the flooring and the wall during installation.
Fill the Edge Positions
After laying the laminate flooring, fill the gaps at the edges. Wall edges can be fitted with baseboards and other gap-filling materials like metal strips can be used at other edge positions.
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Precautions for Installing Laminate Flooring
Surface Flatness
Ensure the surface is flat before laying the laminate flooring. If the surface is uneven, it could result in warping. If an uneven surface is found, partial treatment is necessary to maintain flatness. There cannot be more than 3mm unevenness of leveling in a 2 meter diameter area.
Ensure the Doorway is Clear
After laying the laminate flooring, make sure it doesn’t obstruct the opening and closing of the door.
Let the Laminate Flooring Acclimate
After delivery, allow the laminate flooring to sit for a while (>24 hours) to acclimate to the new home environment and minimize thermal expansion and contraction.
Moisture-proof the Underlayer
Before installing the flooring, lay a moisture-proof film and IXPE pad on the underlayer to prevent moisture.
Flooring Styles
There are many ways to lay floors, and we will introduce some common styles next. It’s important to note that different flooring styles require varying amounts of material.
Brick Bond Pattern
The Brick Bond Pattern comes in different proportions such as 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, and 1/5. Different spacing creates different effects, but overall, it looks neat and is the most convenient style to install.
Random Pattern
The Random Pattern is a popular flooring style because it looks casual, natural, and less rigid. The seams between the planks on one row do not line up with the seams on the next, creating a random yet aesthetically pleasing look.
Flooring Wastage Rate
The flooring wastage rate for straight and random patterns is only 8-10%, but other special methods, like herringbone or chevron patterns, have a floor wastage rate ranging from 15-20%.
Precautions After Floor Installation
After floor installation, keep these points in mind to ensure your flooring remains beautiful and durable:
- When moving furniture, lift it to the desired location instead of dragging it.
- For furniture with metal feet, apply buffering pads underneath to avoid scratching the floor.
- Maintain indoor humidity between 40%-70%. If necessary, use a dehumidifier or air conditioning to regulate it.
- Place a rug at the entrance to protect the floor from scratches caused by sand and gravel on shoes.