DIY Laminate Floor Installation

DIY Laminate Floor Installation

Cost = $1.95 / square foot

Product we chose:  Purchased from BestLaminate.net.  Item #SL30CH-SP (Diamond Living, Southern Lakes, Laminate Piano Finish. Color=Cherokee)

The white flooring (pictured left) was what came standard with the house when I built it back in 2005. Instead of fancy upgrades (including wood flooring), I chose to expand square footage instead. My thought process was that I could DIY my interior upgrades later.

Another view before the install as we prepped for the project (taken in 2012).

 From the sunroom looking towards the kitchen. Lots, and lots…of white, which was starting to feel antiseptic and like I lived in a hospital. 

My messy kitchen as we were prepping to do the floor, I was hoping the floor would add some contrast and depth to the room.

In the end, I’m SO glad I didn’t pay for an upgraded floor 10 years ago that I didn’t love. The quality of flooring has improved DRAMATICALLY since 2005. Had I chosen to pay to upgrade my floor back then, I would have regretted it. Just ten years later, choices have become very cool (including distressed walnut). We opted for the piano finish mainly because it is very popular in my neighborhood, and we considered resale as part of our selection. 

Here was how the decision process went in 2012:

Wood Floor                           Laminate Floor

Scratches Easily                       Resilient to Scratches and Wear 

Costly                                          Least expensive option 

Refinish if damaged                 Replace floorboards if damaged (cannot refinish surface)

Easy to Clean                             Easy to clean 

Pay builder $2,2200                 DIY a product that I LOVE for $900 — (sold!)

Courtesy of the Southern Lakes website 

Here is a video overview of the Southern Lakes brand we chose.

Another picture before we got started…

Laying our first pieces. Our dog lays on everything. Much like a cat.

We got it done in one day…

There he is again. Acting as if the floor has been there all along.

Skill Level:

You don’t need to be an advanced DIYer to install your own flooring. To make things easier, we chose flooring with the built in pad and it saved us a ton of time. This way you don’t have to do a double installation of the pad + the laminate overlay.

Tools needed:

(affiliate links provided) 

Rubber mallet

12″ Chop Saw

Measuring tools

(Painkillers if you have bad joints like me)

In spite of the skill level and minimal tools required, this was a very physical project if you’re covering a large area. The built in locking system makes it much easier. This means you lay them down at a 45 degree angle. Once the two pieces are locked, you lay them flat. Here is a video to show you what I mean: 

We followed these instructions almost to the letter. DIY Network has an abundance of information if you’d like to read more about how to install your own DIY laminate floor, but I assure you it’s very easy. We created a stair-step pattern, but there are several, more complicated effects that you can choose. But if you go for a herringbone effect, LOTS of cutting will take place. Case in point…

Above: Herringbone pattern floor. Photo courtesy Life on Sundays

But we opted for a simpler, stairstep pattern since minimal cutting was required.

What was the main reason I chose laminate?

Because I am this dog’s human.

Dogs claws really don’t penetrate laminate like they can damage natural wood. I can’t imagine what my floors would look like today had I installed real wood.

 

Laminate Cleaning Instructions:
After sweeping up Buddy hair and dust off the floor, I use a home made floor spray.  Here is the recipe:

Laminate Floor Cleaner

1 cup rubbing alcohol

1 cup white vinegar

1 tsp lemon juice

Spray bottle / mister 

Once I spray this home made solution on my floor, I run a steam cleaner to wipe up the solution (mine is an Oreck). This homemade solution is the BEST I have found to brighten and shine the floors, and I’ve tried several store-bought brands. I don’t let the steam run constantly, because with laminate, you don’t oversaturate it or it could cause your flooring to swell and warp.

I also use the Oreck to steam clean the carpeting as well to kill dust mites.

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QUESTION:

Do you think that laminate flooring helps increase (or decrease) a home’s value?

Do you think buyers ONLY want wood flooring?  

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