Laminate flooring is floating flooring that doesn’t require much maintenance. Installing laminate flooring is also more accessible than other floorings. Moreover, laminate flooring is cost-effective and durable. So, people are loving laminate flooring for their homes.
You can install the laminate flooring on your own. But doing yourself, there might be some confusing things, like the length of the laminate plane.
You might be confused about how long you can run laminate flooring. This article will tell you about the size of the plane of laminate flooring.
How long can you run laminate flooring?
You can run laminate flooring for 30 feet to 40 feet long. Some people span the laminate flooring more than 40 feet. But more than 40 feet length isn’t safe for laminate flooring. If the floor width is more than 40 feet, a T-mould is usually used. Otherwise, an expansion joint might be needed.
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You can run the laminate flooring to a safe distance. If the length is more than the safety limit, the laminate might break. So, for the laminate flooring, the safe length is up to 40 feet. Generally, a doorway is present after 20 or 30 feet in length or width.
A skip doorway, an expansion joint, or breaking up the laminate flooring is necessary. But if you run the laminate more than 40 feet, the flooring will have a chance to break.
What is the maximum laminate floor length I can install without an expansion joint?
The maximum laminate floor length you can install without an expansion joint is 12 m or 40 feet. The safe length for the laminate floor is 30 feet. But you can install the maximum length up to 40 feet.
If the length is more than 40 feet, you will have to join an expansion joint. Otherwise, the laminate might break. Generally, a doorway comes within 40 feet, so you have to break up the laminate in the opening.
The width of the rooms is generally within 40 feet. If the width is more than 40 feet, a T-mould is used. So, the maximum span length of laminate flooring is 40 feet or 12 meters.
What is the minimum expansion gap for laminate flooring?
The minimum expansion gap for laminate flooring is 10 to 12 mm or ¼ inches. At least a 10 mm gap is essential to keep between the laminates. If you don’t keep an expansion gap for laminate flooring, the floor will expand, and the floor will be uneven.
Laminate flooring has a typical characteristic of expansion. Laminates tend to expand within 24 hours of installation. So, an expansion gap is a must for laminate flooring. The gap can be larger than 10 mm, but at least a 10 mm gap can make the expansion compensate.
If the laminates don’t expand to 10 mm, you can caulk the gap to compensate. But if the gap is less and the laminate expands more, the plank will come over another plank. This collision will make the floor uneven and accidental. So, at least a 10 mm expansion gap is necessary.
How to run laminate flooring?
Running laminate flooring isn’t that difficult. You have to follow some techniques for effecting installation and running laminate flooring. Otherwise, the laminate flooring won’t last for a long time. Let’s see how you can run laminate flooring.
Matching with the environment:
Before running the laminate flooring, the floor’s environment must settle for the laminates. Because the temperature and humidity difference might affect the laminate floor running.
Direction:
The direction of the laminate flooring is important. You should run the laminate flooring in the same direction as the longest wall.
Light source:
The laminate flooring should be run in the same direction as the light source. Running in the direction of the light source will make the room look symmetrical.
Length of the laminate:
The maximum length of the laminate should be less than 40 feet. You can run the laminate less than 40 feet. If you need the laminate more than 40 feet in length, you can use a T-mould span.
Keep expansion gap:
The laminate flooring tends to expand after installation. So, you have to keep an expansion gap of about 10 mm. This gap will allow the laminate to expand and set with one another.
Caulk the gap:
Sometimes, the expansion of the laminates isn’t as much as expected. So, a little bit of a gap remains between the planks of the laminates. You can use silicone caulk into the gap to compensate.
Which way do you run laminate flooring in a hallway?
You can run the laminate flooring in a hallway in the same direction as the longest wall. The hallway is narrower than the room. So, you have to run the laminates so that the floor looks more symmetrical and spacious.
If you run the laminate flooring in a hallway in the longest wall’s direction, the flooring will look spacious. Moreover, the sightline will match with the wall. If you run the laminate opposite the long wall’s direction, the floor will look unsymmetrical.
Moreover, the light source of the hallway is with the longest wall generally. If you run laminate flooring in the same direction as the light source, its appearance will look elegant. So, you should run the laminate flooring along with the long wall in a hallway.
How do you install laminate flooring for beginners?
As a beginner, you should install the laminate flooring following the method. The professionals must know how to install quickly.
But the beginners must install the laminate flooring with patience and follow some techniques. Here are some ways you may follow as a beginner.
- Remove the existing flooring or subflooring.
- Clean the floor correctly where you want to install the laminate flooring.
- Acclimate the laminate floor before installation for at least 48 hours.
- Cut the laminates according to the size of your floor.
- Start to lay the first row of the laminate and keep an expansion gap with the sidewall.
- Put the second row following the first one and level the laminate with the first one.
- Lay other laminates with expansion gaps.
- Use a hammer or chisel to level the laminates.
- Skip the doorways before laying the planks in another room.
- Use laminate less than 40 feet without a joint.
- Use T-mould for the doorways or where any breaking up of laminate is needed.
- Wait at least 24 hours after installation to use the laminate floor.
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Do you glue laminate flooring?
You can use glue for laminate flooring but using glue isn’t compulsory. Laminate flooring is a floating flooring that has its bonding strength to stick together. So, using glue isn’t a must task for laminate flooring.
But you can use glue with the laminates. Using glue will ensure the laminate flooring’s durability. Moreover, sliding off the floor won’t happen frequently. The glue will attach the laminates and prevent moving.
If you use glue for laminate flooring, make sure to dry the glue entirely after installation. So, make sure to wait for the glue to dry between the laminate planks.
Does laminate flooring last long?
Laminate flooring lasts for a long time. Generally, most laminate flooring manufacturing companies give a guarantee of their laminate flooring. Because most laminate floorings are durable for a long time.
Though laminate flooring doesn’t require much cost and maintenance, it lasts long. Laminate flooring’s durability also depends on the quality of the laminates. If you buy high-quality laminate flooring and install it properly, the floor will be durable.
How long will laminate flooring last?
A good quality laminate flooring will last up to 15 to 25 years. Some laminate flooring might last for more than 25 years if you maintain the floor well. The durability of the laminate flooring will depend on the quality and maintenance of the flooring.
A low-quality and cheap laminate flooring will get damaged soon. So, try to buy quality laminate flooring. Moreover, follow the instructions correctly while installing the laminate flooring.
Though laminate flooring doesn’t need much maintenance, it requires some techniques while installing.
If you follow the basic instructions of installation, the floor will last long. You can use laminate flooring for at least 15 years without hesitation.
Laminate flooring is easy to install. You can install your own house’s laminate flooring with some simple instructions. Keeping the length of the laminate suitable is essential for the perfect installation.
If you can follow the techniques and maintain them while installing them, the laminate flooring will last for a long time.