It's no secret that hardwood flooring can be expensive. Investing in a quality laminate floor will set you back. However, this doesn't mean you have to break the bank trying to install your laminate hardwood flooring in your home. Doing it yourself will save you considerably on the labor costs of hiring a professional.
As with most DIY projects, some necessary tools and products are required to lay laminate wood flooring. To ensure that your flooring goes down flawlessly, here is a list of 8 essential tools for laminate floor installation.
Tape Measure
One essential tool is a Tape measure.
One essential tool is a tape measure if you're laying the laminate flooring. You'll use this to measure the room's length, width (square feet), and height, as well as the size of each step between floor sections. Again, if you're working with a professional flooring contractor, they will most likely provide these tools.
If you are in the marketing to buy a new measuring tape, we recommend the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Nite Eye G2. It comes with a 25 ft. tape and costs around $18. It also has an illuminated blade with markings that are easy to read no matter what time of day. The hook grip allows you to hang onto this tape measure as efficiently as possible, and the rubber bumpers on the bottom of the casing protect surfaces as you measure them.
If you don't have access to any of these tools, you can try using a ruler and pencil to draw out your measurements on paper first. Then take that paper into your local hardware store and ask them if they have anything similar in stock.
Chalk Line
A chalk line is one of the essential tools that you'll need. It marks the straight lines to which you'll be laying down your laminate flooring. To use this tool appropriately, you must understand how it works.
The chalk line has an internal spring-loaded reel with a hook on the end that holds a piece of string or cotton string in place. This string is what you will use to mark your flooring lines. The chalk line has an adjustable tension system so that you can control how much yarn is released from its internal reel as it moves through the air.
When setting up your chalk line, ensure it is not too tight or too loose; otherwise, your floorboards will either be too short or too long. Too long or too short floor pieces can make them difficult to see when laying down your laminate flooring and could cause damage if not corrected appropriately before installing each plank or tile floor piece into place!
Setting up a chalk line is quick and easy! Once you have it set up, you're ready for installation.
First, make sure that your chalk line is calibrated for accuracy. Then, place it on a flat surface and adjust the tension until the string runs perfectly straight. You can also use a level to check the angle of the line against vertical. If necessary, loosen or tighten screws to make adjustments.
Next, mark where you want your chalk line to be placed. This can be done with a pencil or marker so that you don't have to worry about removing any marks later on during installation.
After marking where you want your chalk line set up on both sides of where materials will be installed, place your chalk line over those markings to make them visible through the holes in the tapered ends of each piece of string inside your chalk box.
Next, close up the box and pull out enough tapered string through its corresponding hole so that it reaches past both sides of where the installation will take place; then, cut off the excess rope with scissors or pliers so that only about 2 inches remain sticking out from each hole in order inside your
Tapping Block
A tapping block is a unique, thick-headed hammer used to bang in the nails that hold down the laminate flooring after you've laid it. You can buy tapping blocks at any hardware store, which are usually inexpensive.
It might be worth renting a nail gun if you're laying laminate flooring in a standard room that gets a lot of traffic. Nail guns and tapping blocks will help you get the job done more quickly, but it'll also make it easier for you to lay down the laminate flooring correctly.
A tapping block is an excellent tool because it allows you to tap your nails in at an angle, reducing the risk of bending or breaking. In addition, tapping blocks make it much easier to hammer them in straight, so you can get the job done more quickly!
But what's even better than that? It makes it way easier to lay down the laminate flooring correctly! Instead of holding each piece up with one hand while hammering with the other, you can simply set each piece into place and tap away!
Table Saw
A flooring saw is a tool to cut laminate flooring to the desired size. If you're installing the laminate in your home, it's best to use a table saw; but if you're laying it in a commercial setting, a circular saw will suffice.
If you're installing the laminate in your home, it's best to use a table saw.
A table saw is an electric saw with a horizontal blade mounted on a movable arm above a table. The saw is used for making precise cuts and trimming wood. This tool can be very helpful if you have laminate flooring that needs to be installed.
This tool is specifically designed to cut materials like laminate, and it can make very precise cuts without distorting the flooring material. It can also do other types of cutting jobs, so if you ever need to cut anything else, this tool will be helpful for that as well.
Jigsaw
One of the essential tools you'll need is a jigsaw. A jigsaw has a curved blade that can make cuts along a curve, making it perfect for cutting laminate flooring into curves.
The jigsaw is one of the most versatile tools in your toolbox. It's perfect for cutting laminate flooring into curves or making tricky cuts on a piece of furniture you can't quite manage with a regular saw.
If you've never used a jigsaw before, it's effortless! Remember to keep your wrist loose and relaxed when holding the tool—you'll be surprised at how much easier it is to control the blade with this technique.
Hardwood Laminate Flooring Spacers
Laminate flooring spacers are a crucial part of the DIY process. These plastic wedges help hold your laminate flooring in place as you lay it down, ensuring that it sits level and stays in place. They're essential for floating floors, which don't have an underlayment board for support.
Flooring spacers are a great way to protect your floors and help them last longer. They're crucial for floating floors, which don't have an underlayment board for support. By placing flooring spacers between the floorboards and the subfloor, you can prevent gaps between the panels, which would allow moisture to get in and cause damage.
Floating floors are often made with solid wood planks that sit directly on the subfloor. They can be installed throughout your home and are a great choice if you want to achieve a rustic look in your space!
Underlayment
A good underlayment is the most crucial tool for laying laminate flooring. It's the first step in applying your floor and will help you achieve the best results.
Underlayments are made of foam or rubber and are meant to provide insulation between the subfloor and the laminate flooring. They also help reduce sound transmission and vibration from foot traffic—so you get a quieter, more comfortable floor.
There are two types of flooring underlayments: self-adhesive or glue-down. Self-adhesive underlayment is easier to use and less expensive, but it's not as durable as glue-down flooring options. Glue-down underlayments are better for homes with pets or young children—they're less likely to get chewed up by dogs or accidentally kicked around by kids!
These Tools Will Help With Laying Laminate Flooring.
Laying laminate flooring is surprisingly easy at its core: buy the boards, cut them to length, and stick them down. But almost any project can quickly get frustrating if you don't have the right tools or supplies, so make sure you have everything before getting started. You should also pay careful attention to the instructions that come with your specific laminate planks; they're designed to fit in a very particular fashion, so tinkering with these directions can result in an unsatisfying end product.
Don't let the list of tools intimidate you if you're planning on tackling a laminate flooring installation project. The process can be relatively straightforward and help produce solid and long-lasting results. You should stock up on the essential tools for this DIY project, but knowing what to look for will help ensure that nothing goes awry if you run into problems.
And we're always here to help at Rosendale flooring if you need anything. When it comes to flooring, laminate remains a popular choice among home and business owners alike, providing a classy, natural look and feel. If you’re looking to install new laminate flooring at your place and need a little help, the team at Rosendale Flooring is ready and waiting to help, with years of professional installing experience for laminated floors.
