When choosing laminated flooring, you have options to buy a glueless or glue versions, one of which make the installation job easier. No matter what type of laminate flooring you choose, you will want to take care with the installation and make sure the job is done correctly. This will ensure your floor retains its quality and beauty for years to come.
By choosing the glue version and to install the laminate flooring yourself, its highly recommended that you invest in classes at your local home improvement center. The installation glue can be a bit tricky. Glue laminate flooring takes longer to install, longer to set and can be messy. This was the first type of laminate floors available on the market and is less expensive than the “click together” versions offered today therefore making it still desirable with many do it yourself home owners.
General Tips on Working with Installation Glue
Before you begin installing your laminate floor, make sure you have enough glue to cover your entire project. Generally, one can of installation glue will be enough for about 500 square feet. Some types of laminate flooring only require a small bead of glue on certain spots. Pergo flooring requires you to put glue all along the grooves, as well as on the ends.
When you are applying the installation glue, read and follow the instructions included with the product which will guide you on where to put the glue and how much glue to use. Too much or too little may cause immediate or future problems with the laminate flooring. Keep plenty of old rags within hand’s reach during the installation and gluing process, just in case of drips or spillage. If you do spill glue, and do not realize the spill until it has already dried, use acetone to remove the residue.
Once the laminate floor is installed, there may be swelling in the floor joints within a couple of weeks. This is good and not something to be concerned about. This means the flooring is soaking up the glue from the installation, so the seal will be effective. The swelling will eventually go down. For a good seal on your floor, use the tightening straps and a tapping block. Check for sawdust in the floor piece grooves if the grooves are not meshing together with ease. This may happen when you trim the planks to fit.
Check with your local home improvement center and ask for recommendations on glue techniques and manufacturers of these types of floors. Glue installations can be a little more labor intensive, but also can be worth the effort.