Before purchasing wooden
laminate floors, ensure that they are of the right wear resistant quality for
the volume of traffic or usage that they have to bear. Check these in the
brochures and the packed boxes, before starting the installation. Classification
ranges from light, medium and heavy traffic application for both residential
and commercial.
- For Indian homes it is recommended to use only 8mm thick products meant for heavy residential traffic.
- The surface of the base floor should be clean, dry and all the carpet, if any must be removed from the base.
- If the base floor is uneven, the high points in the base floor should be sanded or planed and low areas repaired or filled with Portland cement. Let it dry before starting the installation.
- As the wooden laminate flooring is organic material, it is not recommended for wet areas like a bathroom.
- The sub floor must be sealed with a 100% waterproof underlayment such as a polyethylene with a high moisture barrier properties and alkali resistance, below the laminate floor. Ensure that your vendor does not use just any polyethylene film.
- Wooden laminate flooring expands and contracts with the temperature therefore it is essential that planks must be left in the room to be installed to get acclimatize to the climate before beginning and a 1/4th expansion space be left around the floor’s perimeter.
- Laminate floors need trained installer, ensure that your installer is trained and has done installations before.
- Lastly, in case of an accidental damage or a chip, use a water based putty to repair it. Vacuum all debris, small chips and the dust from the area to be repaired.
- Fill the area with a finishing putty and level with a plastic spatula. Use a damp cloth to clean up the excess putty around the area. Ensure that your vendor can help you when you need help.
- Ensure that the manufacturer administers all warranties; local importers cannot fulfill the warranties as they change brands and you will be stuck with no service.
