Lay a laminate floor, part two

The floor you intend to lay the laminate flooring on top of must be dry, firm and level. A floor is considered level if the deviation in height is less than 1mm over a distance of 1 linear metre. Sheets of fibre-board can be used to level minor deviations and they have additional acoustic and thermal properties. Deviations above this must be levelled out before laying the new floor. The following sections advise how this should be done, depending on the type of sub-floor you have.

Wooden sub-floor preparation

• Remove any protruding nails or tacks to ensure you have a smooth surface.
• If you are laying your laminate flooring on an upper floor, re-fix any loose boards using screws rather than nails as hammering might damage the ceiling plaster below.
• Use a detector to identify if there is any underlying pipework or electricity cables so that you can avoid these areas when driving in nails or screws.
• Smooth any high spots in the floor using a plane, and fill hollow patches with levelling compound (sometimes called screed) to make the floor level.

  4 - Sub-Floor Preparation The floor you intend to lay the laminate flooring on top of must be dry, firm and level. A floor is considered level if the deviation in height is less than 1mm over a distance of 1 linear metre. Sheets of fibre-board can be used to level minor deviations and they have additional acoustic and thermal properties. Deviations above this must be levelled out before laying the new floor. The following sections advise how this should be done, depending on the type of sub-floor you have. Concrete sub-floor preparation

  Some concrete sub-floors have raised 'high' spots of concrete that can be chipped away with a bolster, but the easiest way to achieve a smooth surface is with levelling compound (screed). Simply mix this in a bucket with water, then pour and spread with a trowel. It will then set to a level finish.

  We recommend that newly laid concrete or screed be allowed to dry at a rate of 1mm per day prior to fitting laminate flooring, i.e. 50mm screed = 50 days.

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  Damp-proof membrane

  A damp-proof membrane should be fitted to stop any moisture from damaging the new boards. This is in addition to a damp course which may already be present in the sub-floor. The following sub-floors require a damp proof membrane of 0.2mm thick:

  • concrete
  • vinyl tiles
  • asphalt
  • quarry tiles
  Underlay

  Once you are sure the sub-floor is clean, dry and level, you will need to install underlay prior to laying your laminate flooring. There are three types of underlay available:

  • Floormaster Laminate Flooring Underlay - can be used with all laminate floors
  • Wood Fibre Underlay - has extra acoustic and thermal properties
  • Combilay - laminate floor underlay and damp proofing all in one

  Doors

  Check that your doors will clear the new floor. Place a board of the laminate flooring you have chosen to lay, together with any underlay you are using, on top of your sub-floor and mark off how much of the door (if any) needs to be planed away.

  While you have easy access to your sub-floor, carry out any plumbing tasks or electrical installations you have planned.

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  #1 by Arnold Corn - 11-07-2008 10:28

  Great article, I find that laminate flooring is a great addition to any property as it is generally inexpensive and hard wearing.
  Real oak floors have a great selection of laminate flooring available.