How To Lay Floating Flooring?
Floating floors, as we already know, are floor covering, which is made up of varnished sheets of wood with factory finishes. These sheets come ready to be mounted using a reasonably simple procedure.
If it is the first time that you are going to install floating floors, it is expected that you have doubts about the correct way in which the installation should be carried out.
With that in mind, we will now give you a detailed explanation of the steps to follow to install your floating floors.
the floating platforms
It is important to note that there are two types of floating floors, synthetic and wooden. Each has unique characteristics adaptable to your needs, but to give you a better idea, we will discuss these two types of platforms separately.
The wooden platforms
Wood offers a classic style, which has always captivated many. It provides many advantages, from its aesthetic appearance to its resistance, and even its price, which is much cheaper than traditional parquet.
Another benefit of this type of flooring is that they already come with a factory finish. Thanks to this, there is no need for a stabbing process after installation.
synthetic flooring
One of the main characteristics of synthetic floating floors is that they are pretty cheap. They are also resistant to moisture, making them a perfect option to place in spaces such as the kitchen or bathroom. They will stay in excellent condition for a long time.
How to lay floating flooring, tips
It is recommended, before proceeding with the installation, to leave the material days before in the place where it is going to be placed. Both doors and windows must be closed; this is very useful, in the case of wood, as it acclimatises to its new environment.
For the installation of floating floors, it is necessary to have a series of tools; although the process is quite simple, having the right equipment will guarantee better results.
If you want more information about laminated flooring, we recommend you read the following article on our blog: Tips when buying laminated flooring and installing it.
Tools for the installation of floating floors
- One of the things that cannot be missing is the wedges with which an expansion joint is left between the slats and the perimeter area.
- A saw or guillotine is a necessary item so that you can cut the boards to different degrees.
- Hammer or drawstring, this metal plate is bent on both sides; it is used in auctions where there is not enough space to join the boards, that is, the tongue and groove.
Steps for the installation of floating floors
The first thing you should know is that floating floors can be installed on almost any type of surface. This means that you can perfectly place your platform on a wooden floor, for example.
But in addition, this material can be placed in different types of spaces, such as stairs. The floors on which its installation is not recommended have a soft covering, that is, carpet or rugs.
It is recommended that if the installation is to be done on a concrete floor, an asphalt-based insulating treatment should first be applied. This is to prevent the wood from being affected by the humidity that the concrete can generate.
Step 1: a subfloor is placed with adhesive tape; it is a layer that is sold for this purpose. They are made of polyethene or felt.
Step 2: the boards are already varnished with a factory finish; the panels are not nailed to the ground or each other. For its installation, it is only placed, and they fit together. Its union uses a click or glue system, depending on the manufacturer.
Step 3: Installation is usually started from a corner, for which it is necessary to leave an expansion margin of approximately 10 mm between the wall and the board.
To achieve this, the wedges placed between the wall and the platform are used; it is essential to place them correctly since they must always maintain that distance.
Step 4: if the installation is glued, white glue should be applied in the groove of the next board, then place the other one.
It is essential to use either nylon or wooden block so as not to damage the material when soft blows are given.
Step 5: all traces of glue that overflow through the joint while it is being fitted must be cleaned immediately with a damp cloth.
Step 6: When it comes to floating floors with a click system, the procedure consists of first inserting the widest side into the slot of what would be the previous row.
This must be done at an angle of 25 degrees and then lower; in this way, the sheet will fit automatically.
Other concerns about installing laminated flooring
What is the best orientation to place the laminated flooring?
This is a critical point because depending on the direction in which the plates are placed, the general appearance of the room will be defined. So the decision may not be so simple.
Generally, it is recommended that floating floors be installed in the same direction as the primary light source in the room, aligned with the most used entrance.
If there are several doors and windows on the site, it is best to install them in the most accessible direction.
How long does it take to install laminated flooring?
The installation process of the floating floors is quite simple, as we have mentioned, so it will not take long to finish the placement of your new bed. Among the factors that influence the time that the installation will take is the size of the place. But an approximate average could be between 24 and 48 hours.
