Floor Visualizer will help ensure that you find the best fit for any room you're renovating. For a 1212 room (158.4 sq ft including waste allowance), you would need 6.6 cases of flooring (@24 sq ft per case). Especially if you want it to look like it was professionally done. (Its concrete that doesnt have any rock chunks in it, so it comes out nice and smooth.). Your email address will not be published. Cut the plank to length with a circular saw or jigsaw. Input real numbers only. If the light falls on the individual panels, it ruins the entire effect. Over Laminate Floor, Other FAQs About Laminate Flooring Layouts On Concrete, How To Remove A Toilet Before Installing Laminate Flooring, How To Remove Baseboard Without Damaging Your Wall Before Installing Laminate Flooring, How To Cut The Door Jamb And Trim Before Installing Laminate Flooring, How To Make A Stagger Pattern For Laying Laminate Flooring (A Helpful Guide With Pictures! Moving from right to left, the last piece in each row will always be cut off, with the cut-off piece from the left shifting down to begin the next row of flooring on the right. Therefore, it is important to find the perfect direction when laying your laminate flooring. Measure the length needed and transfer that measurement to a full-size plank, measuring from the right to the left side so that the tongue end of the plank is preserved to attach to the last full plank. Also everything they have heard about how to install laminate sounded easy. 1 Select Type of Tile Project: One Tile Two Tile MultiTile 2 Select Floor Pattern: Diamond Traditional Brickwork Herringbone Diagonal Brick Crosshatch Brickwork Square Combinatorial Standard Plank Chevron Corridor Horizontal Basketweave Border 3 You simply peel away a protective film before pressing the tiles into position. This online tool allows you to design certain parts of the house for free. MeasureSquare Laminate Calculator estimates wood laminate accurately with exact room measurement sizes, and it generates professional floor layout directions and patterns. There are a few things that you will need to do before you just jump right into laying the laminate floor. To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the article! The Azalea plan has an open concept layout with kitchen open to living space! This will help you avoid having all the light pieces in one corner and all the dark pieces in another, and nothing is more randomized than literally pulling pieces out in random order from multiple boxes. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. This relies on adhesive to stick the vinyl planks or tiles to the sub-floor. Remember, we did all those calculations above in preparation for this moment. Besides self-leveling materials for uneven floors, you'll also need extra materials depending on the type you buy: You can divide the room and have two types of floors virtually installed. I hope you learned a lot in this video. This installation method creates a floating floor, which means GripStrip vinyl planking covers the subfloor without adhering or fastening to it in any manner. When you launch Floorstyle, you can immediately choose the color you wish to check, although the availability of the hues will depend on the room you are working on. In general, laminate flooring should run perpendicular to the largest window in a room. Real estate experts call laminate flooring one of the top options for increasing home value, preceded by natural hardwood, stone, and tile. So you want to have the least amount of seams around this area as possible to keep water out from underneath. If you want to remove the changes, all it takes is one click with the Clear All Areas option. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the article! And weve laid laminate flooring in a tiny 6- x 6 bathroom with a wood subfloor that needed a toilet, old pipes, rugs, and baseboard removed. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Read more about me and my past home renovation projects here. For help on the different laminate flooring edging options and when to use them, check out my article here. To start, I would first remove the furniture, toilets, rugs, and anything else sitting on top of the current flooring. If your entire first row needs cut to width, then cut them all now so you can install them all at once! Just open your browser and design! The alignment of the individual panels can be used to make the room feel smaller or bigger. All I needed to know was here. Cut the plank to size, then install it. Measuring a room is really easy. If there are any doorways or staircases in the room you are installing laminate flooring, then its time to install part of the transition strips. Finally, a solution for all the people who have ever started a home improvement project and thought to themselves, "There must be a better way!" 1. They are sharp. Don't stack the packs more than three high, and preferably wedge something between each pack so the air can circulate fully around them. Use a long straightedge, a T-square, or a chalk line to mark the long cutting lines for rip cuts running the length of flooring planks. (inches) enter the expansion gap (fraction of an inch) enter the square footage a carton of flooring covers (sq. The next step to installing laminate flooring over concrete is to plan the staggered pattern and start laying laminate flooring. 184 followers. One way to help decide is to use floor design software, aka flooring visualizers. A unique feature of this tool is that it lets you evaluate two designs of the floors. Even Beginners Can Lay Floors Like the Pros. 2) Try to use as much of one material as possible in open areas. Measure your home so you will know how much flooring you might need. For example, if you want a hallway to seem longer, it is better to use the laminate flooring in the lengthways direction. Enter the dimensions and directions of your room until it looks like the space that you're designing. magicplan is the #1 residential contractor app for the field. For example you will be able to look at this sheet and see how many inches it is when 10 planks are put together, or 15 planks, or 20 planks and so on. Measure the: Length of your room. Nevertheless, the app allows users to change the color of the walls and cabinets where applicable. MeasureSquare provides professional onsite measure estimating app for flooring and related trade professional. Description: This 2/1 features a sun-filled, open floor plan, coat closet, striking laminate flooring and an updated kitchen. As mentioned above, it is best practice to cut the tongue of the first row of laminate then add a spacer to allow for the recommended expansion gap. Keep in mind though that if you knew how to layout a laminate floor these could be avoided. Considering the layout of the room You can use our free room layout planner. Job Openings, Product Learning Center - Tutorial & Exercises. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Product Disclosures | FA Management Enterprises, Inc. We're sorry, but we can't find a Flooring America location in the zip code you entered. I know you might think Im crazy for having the actual installation of the laminate floor be STEP FIVE of SEVEN, but that just goes to show how important the prep work is. If you already have an account, all you need to do is sign in with your registered email and password. Then, use a jamb saw to cut the trim so the plank is able to slip under it. This article received 14 testimonials and 97% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT WITH US TODAY As weve talked about in previous sections, your laminate floor needs a random pattern that lets the floor expand and contract like it needs to. Source Images. The first step to making a staggered pattern for laying laminate flooring is to measure the room. This causes the sunlight to shine with the grains in the individual panels and have a better and brighter appearance. Next, cut strips of underlayment to size and lay the strips down across the exposed floor. 2. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Here's what you need to know about how to install laminate flooring. To find out details, please visit : 221 E Walnut St, Suite 110, Pasadena, CA 91101, Technical support Improvement of thermal conductivity of underlay foam for laminate flooring to reduce heating energy. As long as you are within this range or greater, your floors will be fine.). Laminate flooring ranges in price from $0.50 to $3.00 per square foot at discount flooring stores. You have to decide whether it is better to lay it width-ways or sideways depending on these factors. Demonstrating the process I go through when laying out a laminate or vinyl. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Laminate flooring is a fantastic DIY project that adds a ton of value to your home. For a small to medium-size room, it's easiest to use the flooring itself rather than measuring and calculating. Planning the laminate flooring layout is by far the hardest part of laminate flooring. Now Im inspired to help others create their dream home as well. The easiest type of laminate floor boards are the type that lock in place. Experiment it for the whole day for a better result. Our partners can help you compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you. How laminate flooring works is that it floats across your room. Laminate flooring Underlayment and tape Scrap wood spacers Instructions The Spruce / Margot Cavin Test the Flooring Layout Test-fit some laminate planks to see how they will lay out in the room. (Note: In this video, it says the minimum size of the starting piece should be 8 inches instead of the 6 inches that I recommended earlier. You can also use it on covered porches as long as you don't live in a place with extremely cold temperatures. The rows of laminate planks should have a staggered, sawtooth appearance so that seams never line up in adjacent rows. Also, the lighting of the room decides the alignment of the laminate flooring. When you are done, click Save to my Gallery, which you can access on the third tab. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. There are several things that can make or break the look of your laminate floor once you are done installing it. Input the area dimensions 3. Experiment it for the whole day for a better result. In that case, just plop it down and move on to the next step!). The next step to installing laminate flooring over concrete is to install the transition strips. Leave an expansion joint of 3/8 of an inch then re install base with a base shoe. Wondering the best way to plan your laminate flooring layout? Carpet Plan the carpet layout on your floor plan diagram. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. (Image credit: Lifestyle Floors) Due to its multiple layers, laminate is a really durable option compared to other kitchen flooring options like natural wood kitchen flooring ideas which can mark, dent and warp more easily. Only 6 steps are necessary: 1. Enter the grout line width 5. Laminate can be uneven, so it's not recommended to lay vinyl over it. There are several good ones, all online and all available for free. Laminate. The floor pattern tool figures the number of tiles needed based on the square footage and desired waste. The last step to installing laminate flooring over concrete is to add the finishing touches! Only beautiful new floors. Depending on the room layout, you can choose a direction that suits you the most. Just open 2-3 boxes at a time and go in order, pulling from each one then starting over. Typically, this goes below the underlayment. Certain types of underlayments are also moisture/vapor barriers. The easy-to-use online tool allows you to select from over 30 room settings and 150+ floor products. By: Author Homestratosphere's Editorial Staff & Writers. For a full tutorial on how to level a concrete subfloor and install underlayment over concrete, check out my article here. For example you will be able to look at this sheet and see how many inches it is when 10 planks are put together, or 15 planks, or 20 planks and so on. Laminate Flooring Get inspired and find the right flooring for your space with these pictures and videos. See how your floor will look in your own home before you buy it. Manage Settings enter length A of the room. I know these things are made to click together, but I am here to tell you that they do not click in any sort of fashion that I would have expected. At the end of the day, you really cant go wrong! This will help you easily measure the floor to see how big of a piece you will have at an ending wall. Photograph your Room. Often, this is easy enough to do with a sharp utility knife, or you can use a table saw or circular saw. Another factor that affects the orientation of the panels is the layout of the room. So you want to use the proper tools at the proper time. Also choose from our existing room scenes. Let users design with your products, generate leads and information requests, and lead customers to the showroom closest to them. How to cut laminate flooring might seem intimidating for beginners, but it's relatively easy. The first is glue-down flooring. If you take the time to follow these steps that I will show you in my video, then it will definitely be a whole lot easier. Calculate floor area. The key to learning how to layout a laminate floor is making a cheat sheet. What advice would you have in doing that, or any tips for doing it? But unfortunately, as soon as you step on that gap (if its big enough), you run the risk of snapping or breaking the board in some way. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years. Users can upload their own photo but registering an account is required. With My Floor Style, there are no surprises. It is really important to build a solid foundation to work off of. If the width of the room is less than the width of your chosen carpet, multiply the width of your chosen carpet (always 12 feet at The Floor Project) by the length of the room. Now about the calculator: Sales/licensing You can use 2 pieces of laminate flooring panels and lay one lengthways and the other widthways to find the best orientation to your floor. This would create a lock that is difficult to undo and can damage the edges. The option also includes marking the floor area and changing perspective. You could also use a scrap piece of the laminate flooring as a spacer because they are close to the same size. Once you have the direction chosen, its time to calculate the starting row dimensions. Some manufacturers suggest tapping the planks with a rubber mallet to help close the end joints. It helps to install the tracks before you begin laying the floor; you'll be sure they . Measure your rooms and draw your floor plan just by taking pictures. When modifying how a certain room looks like, you can also identify which specific part you would like to design. Name brand laminate flooring begins at around $3.00 per square foot and ranges up to. With My Floor Style, there are no surprises. You never really know. You can also share it if you wish and even order samples for free. Add photos, 360 images, notes, custom forms, and . Walls are not always straight, and it might be necessary to adjust the row in (toward the wall) or out (away from the wall). Generally, this is done by working from the most visible wallusually, the one that greets the eye as you enter the roomthen working outward toward the entryway. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. It's best to keep cut pieces no less than 16 inches long. First, face the wall the first row is being installed against. 'Laminate is made up of a number of layers: A base layer that provides stability and . Once the underlayment is down, place -inch (0.95-cm) spacers along each wall. And we use a large number of techniques to to build and decorate our house. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Then you can multiply it by 2 and that will be how many 20 planks that are put together will equal and so on. Hallelujah! Easy to Use; Libraries; Integration; From floorplan to 3D, designing is fast and simple. Or would you suggest not doing that? Set the thermostat to the normal. To minimize chipping on the flooring surface, cut with the backside of the plank up. Lay Your Laminate Flooring Across the Width of a Narrow Room to Make It Look Wider If you have an unusually narrow room and you would like to make the room's width look wider than it actually is, then try laying your laminate floor perpendicular to the direction of the longer wall of the room. Place a plank flat on the floor next to the trim, and trace a line on the trim thats higher than the top of the plank. Rip the final row of planks using a circular saw, table saw, or jigsaw. Vinyl Plank Flooring Calculator. Experiment with alternative laying patterns and add design strips between planks or tiles (gluedown ranges only). Family owned and operated since 1981. Calculate the width of the final row. No technical drawing experience is required. 16 following. Most people will bother to think about the orientation of the laminate flooring only after they have bought it inside the room. Theres a general rule for choosing the direction of laminate flooring. It's lightning fast, powerful, light-weight and affordable. A common mistake when laying laminate flooring is attempting to install it over an old floor covering, such as vinyl, that's soft or cushiony. But its also the most crucial. Introducing My Project Planner, consolidates all aspects of your home improvement project, including a budget tracker, room images, design styles, to-do lists, and contact lists into a single interface. The online tool also lets you select the grade whether it is prime, natural, rustic, or heavy rustic depending on the product type. The following functions are available here: change of the walls and floor color; . When you reach a doorway, youll need to cut the trim so the flooring is able to fit around it. See also other 25 Lovely Hardwood Floor Layout software listed below here! The answer is still to pick the largest window in the room and run the boards perpendicular to it. If you think that, then others will think that as well. Getting started is simple: no need to download an app or complete any training. "Very informative article. Learn how your comment data is processed. How to use Floorstyle: Upload your own photo* or choose from our pre-set room images. Email or print this measurement report and bring it to a local store to get a quote for your wood or laminate flooring job, It saves their time and cost to get your laminate flooring project done faster. After choosing the room, select from the available images or upload your own. The next step to installing laminate flooring on concrete is to level the subfloor & roll out the underlayment. Different meters will have different scales so you must always refer to the manual to ensure the correct reading. Leave a 3/8-inch gap along both walls to allow for expansion of the flooring. Then, move onto the next row, starting with the end of the plank you cut off earlier. After selecting the room type, the next step is to choose the style, which can be anything from eclectic to country to contemporary. That won't look good and is tough to install. Laying it lengthways also seems to have an effect on the durability of the panels. But even in tight spaces, such as beneath a cabinet overhang, you should still have enough room to angle the board up to get it into a locking position. The direction you choose to lay your laminate flooring is at the end dependent on your personal wishes and preferences. So far, weve laid laminate flooring in a completely gutted house with a concrete subfloor that had no toilets, doors, baseboard, or pretty much any obstacles. Use our virtual room designer, where you can upload your own photo to see what floor fits in your space! Add another floor. Start on the right side, and work to the left. This is a list that shows you how many inches your laminate planks equal when they are put together.