First things first. Store the floorboards at room temperature for at least 48 hours, still in their packaging, prior to installation. Room temperature should be at least 18° C (65°F) before and during the installation. Floor areas more than 100 m2 (900 sf) with dimensions greater than 10 m (30 feet) in either length or width, in transitions between two rooms and asymmetrical floor areas requires expansion gaps in the floor installation. (one caveat, ideally the rule about the transition gaps need to be maintained, but can be stretched somewhat).
In General
the floor is installed as a “floating floor”. This means that the flooring should not be fixed to the subfloor and there should be 4-6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 inch) distance between the wall (or other immobile objects) and the board. Floorboards in the final row should be at least 5 cm (10 inches) wide. If you need to, adjust the first row floor boards can be cut to a smaller size. Tools needed to install the flooring are a pad saw or a fine tooth handsaw and a installation kit containing spacer blocks and a installation tool. Underlayment (paper or foam, ideally foam) and in certain cases plastic film for insulation against damp.
Subfloor
Flooring can be laid on top of most hard surfaces including resilient floor covering (vinyl), cement, wood subflooring, and ceramic tile. Soft floor covering including carpet must be removed. The subfloor must be even, flat, dry and vary not more 2 mm in 2 m (.8in over 6 ft.). On wooden floors laminate is normally laid across the existing floorboard.
All types of concrete, wooden and ceramic surface must be completely dry. All types of concrete and ceramic sub floors require insulation against the damp. this is also required for concrete floors with built in moisture barrier or heating and concrete floors with resilient (vinyl) flooring. Use moisture barrier film with a minimum thickness of ,2mm (.008 in) and allow for at least 20 cm (8 in) overlapping before taping. Turn the plastic upwards along the walls and trim when the laying of the floor is completed. Underlayment must be used over the entire installation when installing. Use underlayment paper or foam with a thickness of -3 mm (.039-.12in)
Radiant Heat Subflooring
Follow the instructions for the sub floor heating system supplied by the manufacturer/contractor. Also note the following: Turn the sub floor heating off for 2 to 3 days so that the floor is room temperature when installing. The surface temperature of the floor must not exceed 28° C (82° F) and maximum output from the heating from the heating cables must not exceed 60 W/m2. Make sure that the floor surface has no hot and cold areas, as this will cause tension in the floor when heating cables are in use. Turn on the heating system after laying is completed. We recommend following the start up procedure: During the first week, the heating should be set to low or medium for 2 hours per day. During the next week, set the week, set the heating to medium input, 24 hours a day. After the initial period, the heating can be regulated in a normal way. Note that when using carpets, the surface temperature of the floor might be higher than recommended.
Cleaning and Use
To protect against moisture, all four edges are sealed with wax. In case of residue wax on the surface of the board, remove with acetone/white spirit. Clean the floor at regular intervals with a vacuum cleaner or dry mop. Alternately, use synthetic detergent and a well wrung damp cloth. Avoid using large amounts of water. Spillage must be dried immediately. Room humidity should between 40-50% at 20° C (68° F). During periods with increased heating, the indoor air humidity may become so low that the floor is prone to drying out. This may cause a certain amount of separation so that minor gaps appear in the flooring joints. Such problems can be overcome by the use of a room humidifier.
Now that the basic guidelines are out of the way, let start installing.
Begin laying the floor in the left hand corner. Place the floorboard 4-6 mm (1/8 – 1/4 in) from the left wall. Distance to the wall in front is not critical at this stage as the floor can be pushed into place at a later stage.
Press the end section of the next floorboard at an angle to the first one, then lay down. Complete the first row in the same way.
Place the final floorboard face down and the short side without the locking strip towards the wall. The distance to the wall should be 4-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in ). Mark where the board should be cut.
Place the floorboard face down on the work surface and cut the board to size using a pad 1 saw. Use a fine tooth saw if using a hand saw, if cutting this way cut face up.
Use a cut piece of board from the previous row to start the next row. This must be at least 30 cm (12 in.) long. If the piece is too short start with a new board, cut in half. Always ensure that the joints are staggered at least 30 cm (12 in.).
Place the floor board at angle against the previous installed floorboard in the previous row, press forward and fold down at the same time.
Place the short end of the floorboard at an angle against the previously installed floorboard and fold down. Ensure that the board is positioned on the integral locking strip of the floorboard and fold down.
Lift floorboard (together with previously laid boards in the same row) lightly and push it against the row in front. Put it down when the floorboards are positioned tightly together.
The distance to the walls can be adjusted when three rows are completed. Place the flooring 4-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in. ) from the walls.
Uneven walls: if the wall is uneven, floorboards need to be adapted to the contours. Mark the floorboards with the contour of the all. Make sure the appropriate space is left with the wall. 4-6 mm (1/8-1/4 in.).
To remove the first row, lift the floorboards a few centimeters (inches) and tap along the joints. Cut the boards as required.
Re-lay the first row from left to right. Press the first board against the edge of floorboards that are already in position, with the strip first.
If you wish to remove the flooring, just lift the boards a few centimeters (inches) and tap along the joint.
The released floorboards can then be pulled out. Never bend connected floorboards backwards, this will damage the floor.
Measure and cut floorboards in the last row to size. allow 4-6 mm (1/8- 1/4 in.) distance to the wall.
Of course we sell laminate everyday at any of our locations, check out stoversliquidation.com/