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.

What is WPC Flooring?

WPC stands for wood plastic composite and is a type of luxury vinyl flooring enhanced with a waterproof core.  WPC is known for this most desirable quality of moisture and water resistance, becoming quite popular in residential and commercial spaces alike.  WPC provides the look of real hardwood with less maintenance and added durability.  WPC is revolutionizing the way we think of vinyl flooring, providing timeless beauty at an affordable cost.

WPC Flooring is Constructed in Layers

WPC flooring products are constructed in layers with an extruded core made up of synthetic plastic mixed with recycled wood to produce waterproof planks.  A PVC veneer provides added durability and water resistance that will not swell or warp from exposure to water.  Layers in WPC flooring consist of:

• Core underlayment which provides insulation, absorbs imperfections in the subfloor, and resistance to mold and mildew.  
• A waterproof core that will not contract or expand
• Top layer of luxury vinyl which provides resilience with resistance to chips and dents
• Top wear layer which is easy to clean and offers resistance to stains from normal or excessive wear and tear

WPC is beautiful and comfortable, making it a smart investment that brings valuable benefits to your office or home for many years.

WPC Flooring Provides Many Benefits

There are many benefits provided by WPC flooring, whether installed in your home or office.  Some of the most desirable benefits include:

• 100% waterproof core make it ideal in many rooms of the house including kitchens, bathrooms and mudrooms or any room exposed to moisture
• Multiple layers which provide cushion and comfort which is easier on the joints when compared to stone or hardwood
• Realistic replica of real stone or hard wood make it hard to tell the difference between real hardwood or WPC flooring
• Simple maintenance with quick mopping or vacuuming keeps your floors beautiful and clean
• Less expensive that real hardwood with easier installation

WPC flooring provides these and many other valuable benefits when purchasing quality materials with a proper installation.  Great Western Flooring offers quality products with professional installation.

Great Western Flooring offers a wide selection of flooring products, including various types of carpet, vinyl floors, luxury vinyl flooring and WPC flooring to name just a few.  We offer complimentary design consultations and three conveniently located design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  Contact us today to learn more about your flooring options and WPC flooring.  

Laminate Flooring Available in Many Styles and Colors

Laminate flooring is a popular choice with many selections of styles and colors mimicking the look of real stone tiles or wood planks.  Laminate flooring is made of a composite material with a top surface that is dent and scratch resistant, unlike real stone or wood.  The versatility and durability of laminate flooring make this an especially appealing selection for new floor installations.

Leading flooring manufacturers such as Mohawk have taken notice of consumer demands to provide beautiful and durable flooring, which is simple to install and easy to maintain.  Providing these properties along with a wide selection of colors and shades has pushed laminate flooring to the top of the wish list for many consumers.

Great Western Flooring Offers Mohawk Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring has over 35 years of experience in providing high quality flooring products from the leading manufacturers such as Mohawk Flooring.  Mohawk’s GenuEdge Technology™ is an innovative flooring product which give the look of real hardwood floors in a durable laminate product.  Mohawk’s wide selection of style and color includes the following:

• Aged Barn Oak – Provides an antiquated warm and cozy look
• Barnhouse Oak – A convincing replica of traditional Barnwood Oak
• Sandcastle Oak – Gives a lighter and more rustic look of wood with a modern tone
• Hickory Shadow Oak – Delivers a warm look with traditional Oak floor covering
• Honey Caramel Hickory – This realistic replica provides flooring with realistic wood grain and knots
• Vintage Saddle Oak – Gives a darker tone with a sculped look that goes with any décor

All of these wood replica styles are available in various shades for endless options with wood floor replica laminate flooring. Great Western offers these Mohawk products and many others, with a free design consultation and professional installation.  Laminate flooring is durable and versatile, with options to install either above or below grade, although this type of flooring must be maintained like real hardwood with care to avoid extreme moisture or exposure to water.

Great Western Flooring has been pleasing customers in and around the Chicago area with three design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  We offer complimentary design consultations and professional installation.  Contact us today to discover your dream floor that will provide years of comfort and value.  

How to Clean Laminate Flooring Baseboards

Cleaning your laminate baseboards and quarter rounds is generally accomplished with the same cleaning methods used on your laminate floor.  The products you use will depend upon whether the baseboard is made of wood and what finish is on them.  Wood oils can be used on unpainted wood, but only after some preparation and general cleaning is done.

The first thing to do is to know your material and follow manufacturers directions.  If you are unsure of the type of material or the manufacturer, you could contact a professional floor company for advice.

Once you know what you’re working with, some general steps for safely cleaning the baseboards on your laminate floor include:

• Thoroughly dust your floor and baseboards with a microfiber dust mop
• Use a wash cloth dampened with water to wipe down the baseboards or quarter rounds
• Follow manufacturer’s labels for cleaning laminate flooring quarter rounds
• Use wood oil only on real wood products.  Avoid oil on laminate as a slippery, waxy buildup will occur
• Avoid using any type of bleach product or product with bleach in it
• Avoid using soap and water or soapy detergents
• Apply selected cleaning solution directly to the cloth rather than spraying on the baseboard
• Diluted white vinegar with water is a very common and effective cleaning solution for laminate flooring
• Always spot test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your cleaning solutions will not fade the finish or color of your laminate flooring.

Great Western Flooring Offers Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring offers laminate flooring products with baseboards, quarter rounds and all required materials.  We provide a wide selection of high quality floor products from the leading manufacturers.  We offer professional installation with maintenance tips for your specific product.

Great Western Flooring is a leading flooring company serving the Chicago area with three design centers in Naperville, Oswego and St. Charles.  We provide high quality products with professional installation to ensure long lasting beauty and comfort.  Contact us today to learn more about the proper care and maintenance of your laminate floor and baseboards.

What are the Best Laminate Flooring Products?

Laminate flooring offers many benefits to consumers in residential and commercial settings with beautiful and stylish floors that mimic the look of real wood or stone.  Laminate flooring manufacturers today offer beautiful floors that stand up to heavy traffic with scratch and stain resistant floors unlike natural hardwood or stone tiles.  Laminate flooring is constructed with layers that provide added insulation and comfort over hardwood, enhancing the beauty of your home with durable and comfortable flooring that will last for many years.  

Great Western Flooring Offers High-Quality Laminate Flooring

Great Western Flooring offers high-quality laminate flooring from the best names in the flooring industry such as Mohawk.  Mohawk’s GenuEdge Technology™ is an innovative flooring product that provides the look of real hardwood flooring with several added benefits.  

Mohawk’s laminate flooring is available in a wide variety of designs and shades from light to dark tones that mimic the natural highlights of wood grains or aged wood.  Color options of Mohawk’s laminate flooring offer an endless choice of shades and colors including:

• Aged Barn Oak for a warm and cozy antiquated look
• Barnhouse Oak which provides a traditional Oak replica
• Sandcastle Oak delivers a modern yet light and rustic feel
• Hickory Saddle Oak laminate flooring offers traditional and warm wood floor tones
• Vintage Saddle Oak offers sculpted and dark tones popular in modern settings

These are just a few of the many options available with laminate flooring from trusted flooring manufacturers.  Great Western will help you evaluate your flooring desires and the products that are best suited to deliver the properties you envision for the floor of your dreams. Our design specialists will help you determine the best product for your application while our experienced technicians provide professional installation.

Great Western Flooring has over 35 years of experience pleasing customers in and around the Chicagoland area with high-quality products, professional installation and exceptional customer service.  Contact Great Western Flooring today for a complimentary consultation and to learn how we can provide the floor of your dreams with high quality laminate flooring.