Installing Discount Laminate Flooring

Discount laminate flooring is an inexpensive alternative to costly hardwood floors. A variety of tones and styles are available to fit every décor and budget. Although less expensive, these floors have the look of natural hardwood flooring. Major manufacturers such as Mohawk flooring and Shaw Laminate flooring make good quality floor materials.
You have many choices in discount wood flooring. There is something for every room in your home and every style of interior design. You will find a wide selection of colors and textures to fit everything from a rustic Early American style home to an ultra modern contemporary and every style in between.
Although most laminate is made to resemble wood, you have many more options. Other options include ceramic tile, stone and marble tile laminate designs. You may choose ceramic tile in the kitchen, marble in the living room and wood in the family room. With today’s laminates, the possibilities are endless.

Finding the Best Price for Discount Laminate Flooring

Before you start shopping around for the best price, you need to know how much you need. Take accurate measurements for the area where the floor will be installed. Add an additional ten percent to the measurements of the room to allow for cutting and mistakes in the installation process. Add a bit more if you will be laying the planks in a distinctive pattern.
The internet is a great source for discount floor materials. Most sites offer good pictures to give you an idea of what you are ordering. Make sure all materials are from the same lot number when you order. The color variations can be significant and very noticeable once the floor is laid, if they are from different lot numbers. In addition, the finish and texture can vary.
When your flooring arrives, check it carefully for damage. Check the edges and corners for chipping or other damage. Small chips may not be noticed, but large ones will be seen when the floor is down. If the damage is bad, you may need to exchange it. If only a few pieces are damaged on the ends, you may be able to use these on as pieces that would need to be trimmed anyway.

Installing Flooring

Installing laminate flooring is fairly easy. It’s a good DIY project for the handy homeowner. There isn’t much preparation needed. It can be installed right over your existing vinyl or hardwood floor. You can install it over either a wood or concrete subfloor. It can be installed over concrete for basement flooring.
The pieces fit together easily in a tongue and groove fashion. The floor is not glued or nailed in place, as is done with hardwood floor installation. The tongue and groove slots are held together with a special adhesive that is made for laminate flooring. This type of floor is also known as a floating floor. The job can be easily done in a day or two for an average size room. If only doing one room, this is a good weekend job.