Laminate Flooring Installation – Girls Do It!
More female homeowners means more women doing it themselves, and more women installing laminate flooring than ever. And why not? Laminate installation is an ideal project for the weekend home warrior, male or female. If you know how to measure and operate power tools, you will be perfectly fine.
The hardware market is finally catching on to the fact that its female clients require something a little different from the guys. Companies such as Tomboy Tools and Girlgear Industries are designing and marketing work equipment for the female form. Think ergonomically correct weights, grips and tool belts for female workers – what a concept!
When it comes to information, let’s face it, women are much more likely to ask for and read instructions than their male counterparts. And there is plenty of information available on laminate installation if you are looking. Start with the manufacturer’s instructions, talk to your flooring retailer, look it up on the internet, or download an instructional video. Do your research to your heart’s content – you’ll save a substantial amount of money and get a classic, affordable home DIY.
The tools you will need to get the job done include a hammer, pry bar, pencil, T-bar, tape measure, workbench, tapping block, spacers, broom, hand saw, jigsaw, skill saw, tape, or staple gun. and utility knife. Acclimate the laminate at the job site 48 hours prior to installation and keep the room temperature at a minimum of 65 ° F or 18 ° C. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and use them as your first point of reference. Cut out the doors and use a 2-in-1 sound vapor barrier as a base.
Make sure your starting wall is straight. If you’re dealing with a new home, you can generally rely on a room’s exterior wall to be straight, although using a chalk line to check is prudent. If the starting wall is not straight, you will need to mark the tongue side of the laminate length toward the wall to provide a straight base for the rest of the flooring.