How to Install Primewood Laminate Flooring
Video Installation
Step by step Installation
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STEP 01 Among the tools that you will need. |
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STEP 02 The sub-floor surface should be dry (max 60% RH, at 18 deg C), reasonably flat, even (max 3mm/m) and clean before the installation is carried out. |
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STEP 03 For a better visual effect, the panels should be laid in a way that in-coming light falls along the length of the planks OR simply install them along the direction of the length of the room. |
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STEP 04 First, the polythene sheets, which act as a moisture barrier, should be laid — with 40mm (1.58 inches) extra as skirting around the wall. Joining of the sheets should have an overlapping of at least 200mm (7.87 inches), fastened with adhesive tape. A suitable underlay should be laid on top of the polythene sheet, fastened with adhesive tape. |
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STEP 05 It is advised that you begin from the left-hand corner, with the tongue of the board facing the wall. Always ensure that you allow an expansion gap of at least 10mm (3/8 inches) between the panels and the wall (or any vertical structures) by using wooden spacers or cut-outs from some leftover panels. If the wall is not straight, trim the panels according to the contour of the wall. |
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STEP 06 To put the second panel into place, join the width side of the second panel with the width side of the first panel, push them together firmly and fasten the joint by pushing the panel down flat onto the sub-floor. If the joining is not tight, use a hammer and a suitable tapping block and tap gently at the other end of the second panel, if necessary. Make sure the alignment of planks is straight. |
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STEP 07 Repeat this procedure and complete the first row. At the end of the first row, mark and cut the last panel to obtain the suitable size/shape to fit the remaining space. Cut the panel with the décor side facing up if using a fine-toothed handsaw, and with the décor facing downwards if using a jigsaw. |
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STEP 08 This last piece can be fitted with the use of a suitable tensioning tool or heel iron. |
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STEP 09 To start the second row, use the leftover piece of the last panel from the first row. This should be longer than 300mm (11.81 inches) for a better effect. If not, saw half of a new panel to start the second row. Ensure that the end joints are spaced at least 300mm apart in consecutive rows. |
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STEP 10 To install the first panel of the second row, have it slightly tilted with its tongue inserted into the groove of the panel in the first row, and then press it down flat firmly so that the tongue and groove will interlock. The joint should be locked tight. If not, dismantle the panel and repeat the process and simply tap the panels tight with a heel iron(or a suitable tapping block) and a hammer. Start tapping from one end to the other, along the length side. |
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STEP 11 Position the width of the subsequent panel close to the exposed width of the first panel, with its tongue on the length side inserted into the groove of the panel of first row. Standing on the panels of the first row, pull this panel inwards and then push it firmly downwards so that the tongue interlocks with groove of the panel in the first row. |
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STEP 12 The following is an alternative method to Steps 10 & 11. Position a new panel into the groove of the panels in the first row so that they almost interlock. Then, using a wooden hammering block, fit the new panel into place by knocking on a few positions along the length, while pushing the panel down firm(as shown in the diagram). |
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STEP 13 Then use a hammer and tapping block and tap gently at the other end of the panel to tighten the width side. Follow the laying instructions explained earlier, and complete the second row. Subsequent panels / consecutive rows can be installed by repeating these steps. |
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STEP 14 Completing the last row: Align the panel for the last row exactly on top of the panels of the second last row. Use another panel on top, push it against the wood spacers along the wall, and trace the edges as shown in the illustration, and then cut along the tracing. |
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STEP 15 The panels for the last rows can be installed with the help of a suitable tensioning tool or a heel iron. |
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STEP 16 Finally, remove all wooden spacers along the walls. Fix the skirting / baseboard to the wall with (i) nails or with (ii) suitable fastening channels, if available. Please remember that the skirting profiles should only be fixed to the walls and are not to be fastened to the laminate floor panels in any way. |
