Designer and Founder - DIYGirlfriend
In todays flooring market, you’ll find a vast array of options that can suit the choosiest of do-it-yourselfers. However when it comes to affordability, ease of installation and an appealing choice of styles, laminate flooring is a great option. Depending on where the flooring is going to be located in the home, other options can be a great alternative. Perhaps using vinyl in the bathroom to provide additional support for those soapy storms, or in other areas that could see lots of moisture over time.
If you are looking to keep the budget moderate but luxurious, laminate is a great alternative to hardwoods. With as many choices as colors in the rainbow, laminate floors offer many styles to choose from, giving you complete control over the floors tone and texture. While hardwoods are the most desirable and bring many subtle characteristics to a rooms appeal, it is not without its possible drawbacks. The installation and budget tend to be a little more technical and include a higher price tag for materials.
This is where laminate flooring can be the next best thing. Laminate flooring is an engineered, pressed wood, designed for easy installation. The look of premium wood flooring that’s tough enough to withstand pets, kids and the tramplings of everyday life, makes laminate a smart choice.
Once you’ve completed your floor, show it off on social, and with friends and family. You never know who you’ll inspire to update their home. Follow DIYG for updates, additional projects, and insights that you can share.
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You can find these items in any local home improvement store. At the bottom of this article we have provided some links to make locating these items easier.
DIYG Tip: Laying out the planks will allow them to acclimate to the temperature of the room and prevent warping
DIYG Tip: If you are installing the flooring in a room with high moisture, you will need to lay down a vapor barrier. You will also need to install an underlay if placing laminate flooring on wood or concrete
DIYG Tip: It’s best to do at least 3 or 4 offsets for a more staggered look and then repeat the pattern.
DIYG Tip: If your last row is going to be less than 3 ½” wide you should trim the plank width from both sides of the room for a more even look. For this number, you add the width of your last row to a full plank and divide that number by 2, this will give you the width for the first row and the last row
DIYG Tip: Cut your planks with the finished side up and use a tapping block with a rubber mallet to avoid gaps in between planks