DIY Laminate Flooring Can Be Gratifying And Frustrating
DIY Laminate Flooring Can Be Gratifying And Frustrating
Everyone has seen the advertisements and talked to the sales people in the do it yourself stores talking about how easy it is to install laminate flooring. In most cases, DIY laminate flooring will go down fast and easy, resulting in a beautiful finished floor, however some individuals may experience a lot of frustration. Every box of flooring materials is accompanied by directions on the proper installation, but DIY laminate flooring seems to also come with impatience for the homeowner.
In most cases, when a person buys the DIY laminate flooring materials, they want to rush home, clear out the room and start laying the new floor. Before opening the boxes of flooring, the new materials should lay flat in the room in which they will be installed for two to three days, so they become acclimated to the room environment. There will be a moisture level in the room and the panels will need to adjust to that level while still housed in the original packing.
The instructions call for the use of half-inch spacers around the edge of the first panels and they need to be evenly spaced along the entire length of the room. The DIY laminate flooring project will go smoother if the floor installer makes sure the first and second row of floor panels are perfectly aligned and securely attached before moving on to the rest of the room.
Frustration Usually Leads To Damages
Patience was required to allow the panels to sit for a few days before opening the box and patience will continue to be a necessary part of the DIY laminate flooring project. There are several reasons that panels may not lock together completely the first, second or 19th time, but smacking it harder with your hammer is not going to make the fit any easier. Usually, the failure to lock properly is due to either the tong and groove not being aligned properly, or a damaged board.
Carefully examine the material offering the resistance to determine the cause before damaging the panel with your hammer. Not only will it not help the DIY laminate flooring job go any quicker, it will be more expensive when you have to replace the damaged pieces. There are many different opinions as to the definition of easy installation and many people have no trouble installing their new floors. There are, however other who undertake a DIY laminate flooring project, only to end up calling in an installer to complete the job for them.