Comparing Laminate Flooring Manufacturers

When shopping for laminate flooring products, it is always best to do your homework and compare at least a few products from different manufacturers.  There are a few important areas of evaluation and things you should consider to help you determine which manufacturer will offer the best value. Some of the most important considerations are design and color, warranty, ease of installation, materials used, service and support, price and reliability of the brand chosen.

Design and Color
 
Trusted manufacturers of laminate flooring will have many options when it comes to wood species design, finishes and stains.  Be sure that you have a wide selection when it comes to choosing the floor of your dreams.

Manufacturer Warranty
 
Make sure that you evaluate each manufacturer’s warranty and conditions that cause it to be invalid.  Reputable flooring manufacturers will often provide warranties of 20 years or more compared to some companies that may offer only a 5 year warranty.  It definitely pays to know this information before making your choice.

Ease of Installation
 
Most laminate flooring should be easy enough to install for contractors and even the do-it-yourself homeowner.  If you plan to install laminate flooring yourself, be sure that you clearly understand all directions and that all materials are included with additional material requirements included in your cost analysis.

Materials Used
 
Not all flooring products are made the same, and quality products will become easy to spot once you get a little familiar with knowing what to look for.  Some companies apply added layers of coatings or offer additional options to suit specific environments.

Company Review and Reliability
 
See what others are saying about the flooring manufacturers you investigate, read their reviews and talk with other flooring professionals. See how they handle customer concerns, problems or warranty issues. 

Price
 
Price should not be the driving factor in your decision, as you just might get what you pay for. You don’t want to spend the time and money investing in a new floor to have to turn around and replace it in a few years.  Your flooring must be affordable, however, and you should be able to find quality flooring that fits your budget with a little time invested.

Great Western Flooring Offers Assistance in Comparing Laminate Flooring
 
Speaking with a flooring specialist like Great Western Flooring will provide you with many benefits in your comparisons.  We offer quality made products from reputable flooring manufacturers, with a wide variety of floor types, designs, colors and shades.  We can help you to compare manufacturers to find the floor of your dreams, that meets your requirements and fits your budget. Stop by one of our conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles for a free design consultation and to learn more about your many options with laminate flooring.

Great Western Flooring has over 35 years of experience pleasing customers in and around the Chicago area.  We offer quality made products from the most respected names in flooring manufacturers.  Contact us today to learn more about our wide selection of flooring and how to evaluate various manufacturers to fit your flooring needs.

Installing Shaw Laminate Floor Moldings

Shaw laminate flooring gives the option to add the perfect finishing touch with coordinating moldings which add style and flair.  Moldings are available in many colors and styles in either 7” or 10” lengths. Shaw provides a full line of trim pieces in either Threshold,T-molding, End mold and many other transition pieces that can be secured in place with a molding track which can be adhered to the subfloor to minimize using screws.

You must be sure to pre-drill holes in molding when using nails so the trim will not split.  Use a miter saw when cutting trim with a carbide tipped blade to make nice finished cuts.  Be careful to avoid nailing down at an angle to not attach wall base to the floor, this would prevent proper expansion.
Threshold molding is a good choice when transitioning from laminate floor to carpet, or when meeting up with vertical objects such as bathtubs, sliding glass doors or exterior doors. Always leave a 1” space between the floor and the vertical object.

T-Molding is the transition piece of choice when two level floor surfaces meet such as in an archway or doorway. Install the molding track first then push the T-molding in the track working it from right to left.

Quarter round is used to finish a perimeter of a room where seasonal expansion space was left for the floor to contract and expand. Remember when nailing moldings into the wall, never nail them to the floor.

Stairnose moldings are used to finish stair risers and treads, to provide a polished and finished staircase.

Great Western Flooring Offers Shaw Laminate Floor Moldings

If not sure how to install your Shaw laminate floor moldings, call on the flooring specialists at Great Western Flooring.  We offer quality made products from the leading flooring manufacturers such as Shaw, offering a wide selection in color, shade and wood grain look.  With coordinated Shaw laminate floor moldings, your room will stand out and look polished and finished.

We provide expert installation from experienced flooring technicians, and free design consultations from any of our convenient locations in Naperville, Oswego or St. Charles.

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring and tile company pleasing customers in and around the Chicago area.  We provide quality flooring products and accessories as well as professional installation.  Contact us today for all your flooring and tile needs and to learn more about Shaw laminate floor moldings.

Installing Laminate Wood Flooring is Easy with Preparation

Installing laminate wood flooring provides the same natural beauty as hardwood, although is easier to install and offers additional benefits like scratch and stain resistance.  Plastic composite planks come completely assembled with a polyethylene foam pad on the bottom, for a secure glueless installation with planks that snap into place.  If you plan to DIY with installing laminate wood flooring, you’ll need to prepare for a successful installation.

 

 

Tools Needed for Installing Laminate Wood Flooring

You’ll need to prepare for your laminate wood flooring installation with the proper tools which include the following:

• Handsaw or table saw
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Pull bar
• Tapping block
• Spacing blocks
• Tape Measure
• Utility knife
• Pencil

You’ll also need the proper materials which include:

• Laminate flooring
• Underlayment
• Shoe molding
• Finishing nails

Once you have all of your tools and materials, you’re ready to begin. 

Follow These Simple Steps to Install Laminate Wood Flooring

1) Acclimate the flooring. Flooring should lay flat in the room intended for installation at least 48 hours prior to installing which allows it to contract or expand and acclimate to the room’s temperature. This is important to prevent buckling after installing.

2) Remove the baseboard.  Use the pry bar to remove baseboard from the wall and set aside to reinstall after your floor installation.  Installing floating laminate planks should be done on a smooth, hard surface such as vinyl or the subfloor.  If installing over the subfloor, make sure to remove all debris, nails, staples before rolling out the underlayment.  Installing a foam underlayment makes the floor more resilient and helps to deaden sound.

3) Plan your layout.  Plan to lay your planks lengthwise with the longest wall, avoiding a narrow strip at the focal point wall, with planks in the last row measuring at least two inches wide. Leave a ¼” gap against each wall to allow for expansion. *If the last row would measure under two inches, add the width to the width of a plank, divide by two and cut the first and law row planks to this width.

4) Cut your first row of planks.  Cut with the finished side down when using a power saw, or with the finished side up when using a handsaw, keeping your planks secure with clamps when cutting.  Wedge the spacers between the wall and planks to leave the ¼” gap against the wall.

5) Install your first row of planks. Install your first row with the tongue side facing the wall, or cut the tongue edge off as recommended by the manufacturer. Lay each plank next to the other connecting the tongue and grooves.  Make sure the planks fit snugly together with the pull bar, hammer and tapping block if necessary, cutting the last plank to fit. 

6) Install all rows of flooring.  As you lay the next row, stagger the seams at least 12 inches from the adjoining rows.  Keep any scrap you cut off at the end of rows if they are longer than 12 inches, and you can often use them again when starting new rows. Gently pry your planks into place at an angle for a tight fit and be sure leave the ¼” expansion gap at the wall.

7)  Cut around door casings.  Use the jamb saw to cut the door casing above the height of the floor, rather than cutting the planks around the door casing. 

8) Reinstall trim.  Reinstall your baseboard with a hammer and finishing nails once your planks are in place.

Now that you are finished with successfully installing laminate wood flooring, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your beautiful new floor.  If this seems like too much work, call on the flooring experts at Great Western Flooring.  We offer wood laminate flooring in all types, shades and wood grains from the best flooring manufacturers. We provide experienced installation for a beautiful floor that will last for many years.

Great Western Flooring is a leading floor and tile company offering quality flooring products.  We offer complimentary design consultations and professional installation.  Contact us to learn more about our full line of flooring products and for any questions you may have with installing wood laminate flooring.