Laminante Flooring
This post was written by another guest blogger, Nicole Vaughn, author of This D*mn House.
Laminate is a popular flooring choice. It’s durable, cost-effective, and good-looking hardwood alternative offering a variety of finishes. But don’t make this decision blindly.
Use Samples Never decide in the store. Lighting is deceiving. Take it home. Look at it in natural light. Look again at night. For exposed furniture legs (like tables or chairs) set the sample underneath. Does your choice fit your décor?
Inspect the Real McCoy Not all laminate is created equal. Some systems are chintzy and break off easily. Samples come with rounded off edges – you don’t see how the pieces lock. Ask for real pieces and inspect the locking mechanisms.
Ask others A sales associate is a good resource, but that’s it. Ask friends and family who have laminate in their homes about the brand, installation process, maintenance, and wear of their floors. What you learn might surprise you.
After the Sale:
Prepare Start with a clean, even surface. Remove any staples or exposed nailheads. Pull away or temporarily remove quarter-round.
Buy The Kit Installation kits (from $10 to $20) are worth every cent. They have spacers for keeping the required distance from walls and a block for snugly fitting rows together.
Acclimate Manufacturers usually recommend that flooring be left unopened in the room where it will be installed for at least 48 hours to adjust to humidity levels. Build this into your installation time.
Other Helpers A power miter saw can be your best friend. A rubber mallet, tape measure, pencil, and an apron or nail pouch – to hold all these items plus the spacers and block – is invaluable to keep everything handy.
A former newspaper reporter and editor, Nicole Vaughn is now a PR executive. When not at work, she’s a power tool junkie, usually busy with This D*mn House (a small, circa 1940 Cape Cod) which she shares with her mother, a Yorkie, and two cats.
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Great ideas. The floor looks great as well. Nicole’s well-rounded and super gifted in the DIY department.
Great advice! The floor looks great as well. Nicole is well-rounded and super gifted with DIY.