When you want a sleek, modern look for your Tampa home, laminate floors offer a great solution. These versatile and durable floors come in a variety of styles and colors that work with any aesthetic. They also come with a range of finishes to protect your floors from moisture, staining and scratching. Laminate is easy to maintain with a damp mop, but it’s important that you use water- and stain-resistant laminate to keep your floors looking their best.
One of the best things about laminate floors is that you can lay them right over your existing flooring. However, there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare the area for laminate flooring installation. First, remove any appliances like your stove or refrigerator to make sure they can be easily removed later. Next, clean the room thoroughly to remove any dust or gritty materials that could get underneath your new floor. Finally, remove any baseboards – though be careful to only pry the baseboards off gently to prevent pulling paint or paper off of the wall above.
Then, you’ll need to decide whether you’re going with a click-together or glue-down laminate flooring installation. The click-together option is cheaper, as there’s no need for extra supplies like adhesive. On the other hand, glue-down laminate requires the planks to be glued directly to the subfloor. While this method is more stable, it takes longer to install and is more expensive.
Once you’ve decided on a type of laminate flooring, measure the room and purchase enough material to cover the entire area. It’s a good idea to add 10 percent for waste, as you don’t want to run out of material partway through the project. Before you begin laying your laminate, make sure that the subfloor is level and smooth. If it’s not, grind off any high spots or fill them with a leveling compound. You’ll also need to install an underlay, which will provide a cushiony step and prevent mold and mildew growth.
Start with the first row of laminate flooring, ensuring that it’s straight and properly aligned. Place spacers in between each piece of laminate to maintain a 3/8-inch expansion gap along the walls. After the first row is down, cut and install any transition strips at doorways or between different flooring types. Then, install the quarter round molding to cover the expansion gap.
With the help of our Tampa Flooring Solutions team, you can have beautiful and durable laminate floors that will last for years to come. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about our many options for your Tampa home. Or, if you’re ready to buy, get prequalified online in minutes and see how low your loan rates are. For more details visit https://www.tampabayflooringcompany.net/.