Should You Hire a Laminate Flooring Installer?

In this age of DIY home improvement projects, more and more people are rolling up their sleeves and taking matters into your own hands.  When it comes to installing laminate flooring, there is no shortage of resources available that teach you tips on how to avoid the many pitfalls that can be experienced. So with all the buzz about how easy laminate flooring is to install, why hire an expert?  

The truth is, you don’t have to.  If you’re handy, you own the right tools, and you have the extra time, installing laminate flooring should be a snap.  However, make sure you educate yourself before making the decision to do it yourself. 

Here are some things to consider.  

1. Are you physically able to do this job?  Spending hours on your knees can take a toll.  Although the skill level required for this job is relatively low, the physical stamina required can be enough for many homeowners to call in the reinforcements.  Don’t under estimate this.  Although many “how to” guides make the job look easy, if you have back or knee problems, this is a job you’ll want to avoid.  Also, keep in mind that prior to installing the new flooring, you’ll need to move furniture, and remove the old flooring.   
2. How flexible is your budget.?  If cash is tight, and you’d prefer not to finance the project (many flooring companies run promotions for 0% interest for 6-12 months), it may be worth your time and energy to do it yourself.  You’ll also want to consider where you will dispose of old carpet and padding.  If you’re forced to take these to the landfill, the cost of transportation and dump fees may offset much of the cost of hiring a professional.  Also keep in mind the cost associated with buying the proper tools, and “automatic floor leveler” which will fill in the natural dips most homes have in their subfloor.  These additional purchases can add hundreds of dollars to the total project cost.  Many homeowners make the mistake of measuring their room and multiplying that by the cost of the product per square foot.  That’s a deceiving number.  You’ll want to consider the cost of the entire project prior to making your product selection
3. How long do you expect your flooring to last?  If you’re looking for a long term flooring solution, it’s wise to hire a professional.  Most reputable installers guarantee their work for 1 year.  Although this is different than the manufacturer’s warranty, a 1 year warranty on installation will provide you with 4 seasons of humidity and temperature change.  Any warping that is caused by improper installation will be identified in that period of time, and you’ll have the opportunity to call the installer back to correct the problem.  If you do it yourself, you’re on your own, and you may end up voiding the manufacturer’s warranty if the product was installed improperly.  It’s always better when you can hold someone else accountable! Are you under a tight time frame?  If not, you can afford for the project to be completed on your own schedule.  If you’d prefer to accomplish the project quickly, hiring an experienced installer is a great choice.  You should always expect for your installer to provide you an estimated date of completion in writing.  An experienced laminate flooring installer will have no problem getting your new floor installed in a very short period of time.  

With the advent of YouTube and other DIY websites, a new generation of handy men & women have been born.  There is great reward in accomplishing a project and standing back to admire your hard work!  However, for some, having access to trusted, experienced professionals is of great advantage.  

Regardless of whether you decide to take on this project yourself, or if you’d prefer to entrust your project to an experienced installer, we’d love to help.  We offer extremely competitive prices on all the top-quality laminate brands and products. We’d love to speak with you and provide you with a free consultation.  Additionally, regardless whether you choose Carpet 4 Less as your source for laminate flooring, or if you decide to purchase through a competitor, we’ll always point you in the right direction. We’ve built our business on the principle of treating others as we’d like to be treated. It’s the right thing to do.

How to Choose a Laminate Floor Video

How to Select a Laminate Floor

Laminate flooring is one of the hottest trends sweeping the nation, and for good reason.  It looks great, it’s very durable, and it costs much less than many natural materials.  

Although not the right choice for everyone, laminate flooring is the perfect choice for those who want to replicate the look of high end trends without breaking the bank.  And it’s the perfect alternative for active households.  

With that in mind, there are several things you’ll want to understand before purchasing your new laminate floor.  Here I’ll discuss each of these by breaking down the various layers of laminate floor construction, and giving you some tips on what to look out for.  

First, you have the Wear layer – This is a clear top layer that protects the floor from stains, fading, and scratching.  It’s made from melamine which is a tough, clear finish reinforced with aluminum oxide, one of the hardest mineral compounds known to man.  

Next, you have the Design layer – This is a High Definition photographic image of wood, stone, brick or ceramic.  There are countless styles and shades to choose from, so you’ll want to spend some time thinking through the design elements of your home, and how your floor will compliment them.  Don’t choose a floor that will clash with surfaces or furniture you don’t intent to change.  

The third layer in laminate floor construction is the Inner Core.  Educating yourself on this layer is the key to saving yourself a lot of time, energy, money, and future headaches.  The market is flooded with cheap laminate floors, and countless homeowners take the bait.  Don’t let that be you.  If it sounds too good to be true, like 89 cents, or 69 cents a square foot, stay away.  Just beware of suspiciously low prices, and keep an eye out for the seal of the North American Flooring Association.  

Laminate floors come in various thicknesses, and are measured in millimeters.  As a general rule, the thicker the plank, the more resilient it will be to falling objects.  It’s also important to note that thicker boards generally have a stronger locking mechanism, and will therefore last longer in most cases.  

With that in mind, it’s also important that you understand not all laminate floors are created equal. There are two basic techniques manufactures use to construct laminate floors.  Simply put, these are Direct pressure, and high pressure.  Direct pressure is a one-step process and results in a less expensive, and less resilient end product.  High Pressure laminates are constructed using a two-step process, and is a much higher quality, more durable product.  

So, just because a plank is thicker than another, may not mean it’s higher quality.  You want to make sure you’re purchasing the highest quality floor as possible, even if it’s not quite as thick.  Thickness is good, don’t get me wrong, you want as thick of a board as possible.  But more important is the quality construction of the plank.

Last, but not least we have the Backing.  Backing board varies depending on the manufacturer, but ranges from paper to a full plastic laminate layer. It’s primary function is as a balancing agent to stabilize the board and prevent cupping and bowing. It also has moisture resistance qualities. Obviously, a full plastic later is much preferred over paper.  It will provide much greater protection against potential water damage than those with paper backings, and as a result you’ll have a longer lasting floor.

So there you have it.  The wear layer, the design layer, the core, and the backing.  Understanding the functions of each of these will help you make an informed decision, and keep you from making a costly mistake when it comes to selecting the right laminate floor for your budget and lifestyle.