How to install laminate flooring on concrete. Homeowners who renovate their basements are often in a rush to have the job finished. They desire to have a space in which they can cook, host gatherings and perform other activities.
A major step in this process is laying out the new flooring. However, not all types of flooring can be installed over concrete slabs; solid wood flooring cannot be installed over concrete slabs.
Premium quality laminate is a safe option for homeowners as it easily accents any area’s beauty without exposing them to unnecessary risks associated with installation on concrete.
Laminate’s versatility also makes it an appealing option for homeowners who want to install their floors themselves nearly effortlessly and conveniently while saving money in the process by comparison to other types of materials that may require professional installation services and high upfront costs in general.
How to install laminate flooring on concrete
Laminate is a great option for those people who either have concrete, wood floors or already have carpets. You can simply just put it on top of any other flooring.
And though you might need to put plywood or something underneath, you’ll still be happy with how easy it is to clean and maintain.
Layout the concrete slab
Remove the baseboards from your concrete floors with a crowbar, pry bar, and hammer. Many times you can purchase a pry bar (long blade) and hammer for under $20.
Place your long level on the floor to see how to level the concrete slab is. There should not be a variance over 3/16th of an inch every 10 feet. Use a marker to mark the places that need additional work in order to be level.
You may have to use power tools such as a concrete grinder or jackhammer to grind down any high spots on your floor.
After filling low areas with leveling compound first Create a level subfloor by using chisels or concrete saws, or jackhammers to cut out any excess material sticking up above your desired subfloor height.
The right way to remove baseboards depends upon if they are wood or vinyl but either way you need some type of pry bar in the end.
Installation of laminate flooring
Some steps are mentioned below.
Placing laminate flooring on a concrete slab
To install the laminate flooring in a room, lay out the planks on the concrete slab floor. This will help it acclimate to the humidity and temperature within that room. Leave it there for 3 days before installing.
Using a table saw
Use a table saw to cut the tongue off from the first row of laminate flooring due to having a tungstate product and not being native to earth.
Present your work with the laminate’s tongue pointed in a direction away from the wall, per manufacturer directions for setting up home floors.
Watch for any buckling of the seams as you set them up according to manufacturer instructions.
Taking laminate flooring off the wall
Lay the first three rows of laminate flooring on the ground until each row measures a little over two feet. Once they are in place, slide them up against the wall so that they fit together.
Next, cut each end piece with a miter or circular saw so they perfectly line up with their corresponding plank. After that, cut the laminate flooring with the backside facing towards your saw so it doesn’t chip away.
Spacing out joints at 12-inches is recommended if you want to avoid damaging your laminate flooring and make it easier for people to install as well.
Once you start fitting bottom pieces together, do not just press them in without making sure that the tongue goes into its groove appropriately.
When you can’t negotiate by angling the tongue into its groove, use one or two tapping blocks as well as a hammer to get it fitted correctly and flush.
Make any necessary cuts with a jigsaw
Using a jigsaw, continue piecing the laminate flooring together until you reach the last row in the room. If there are any needed cuts for things like heating vents, make them with a jigsaw.
Final Step: Distance measurement
Once your laminate floor is all laid out, figure out exactly how far you need to go in the last row of your laminate flooring. Subtract the required expansion gap from the measurement, and then transfer that measurement to the last row.
Cut it down to size using a table saw. Make sure you install transition strips and moldings before removing baseboards or standing on the new laminate flooring otherwise you may damage it.
Related Guides