This is part of installation kits; the track will hold the transition piece in place. Cut your flooring to go around the balusters (within half an inch). Can I use a steam mop to clean my laminate flooring? Avoid water and high humidity on the laminate at all costs. No, that's not a good idea at all. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Laminate on stairs (Quick Step stair nose profile). My First Laminate Flooring Installation. Should the laminate floor go down or across? This is most easily done with at least three people, one to cut, one to lay and measure, and one to act as a runner between the two. ", "This article helped me. Last Updated: November 22, 2020 We have teamed up with the industries best to help you find a trustworthy tradesman local to you! Remove the Overhang If Required. Place the first plank next to one of the walls in the corner, then snap the end of it into the next plank in the row using the built-in tongues and grooves. ", "These are very helpful tips. Easy to Install. Lay the first row of boards so that the groove faces in toward the interior of the room, measuring and cutting the length of the final board in the row. Every plank that you use needs a groove and a ridge unless it goes on the perimeter of the room. You will then need to find some method of sealing the gap to prevent water damaging the flooring. No, it shouldn't. Hold on to the end of the plank you cut off, since you’ll use that to start the next row. Whether you want to cover new stairs or renovate an existing staircase: it’s just a question of picking the flooring … Do not hammer on the laminate boards directly, they will break. He has been a construction professional since 1987. Installing laminate flooring on stairs floor molding frequently asked questions quick step stair installation process replace carpet on stairs with hardwood installing laminate flooring on stairs easier laminate stair installation. By using our site, you agree to our. If you do the carpet first then a solution needs to be found to cover the gap, normally wooden edge beading which is not as neat as the first option. You need to start each row with the other half of the board from the previous row because it wastes fewer planks, and because it makes the floor stronger when the boards do not start and end in a line. Thanks, guys. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. Within this area of our site have literally hundreds of how-to guides and tutorials that cover a huge range of home improvement tasks. Each page also comes with pictures and a video to make completing those jobs even easier! Any advice on special tools or equipment needed to install laminate flooring on a staircase? Finally, remove the spacers and install quarter-round molding along the bottom edge of each wall to cover the gaps. This will minimize shrinkage or expansion when they react to room temperature and humidity. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. ", "I am just about to do floors in my house for the first time. 292 ", "This brilliantly explained the flooring. "I attended a "How to Install Laminate" workshop at Home Depot. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Next, lay down a row of the laminate planks running parallel to the longest wall in the room, and measure how much you’ll need to cut off of the last plank so it fits. Back in early 2003 I installed my first ever Laminate Floor. You need to insert the thinner side between the wall and the last plank in the row, and hit the thicker part with a hammer. Someone like me can do it myself on my flooring. If you can slide the floor underneath the wall a little, do so. Fit the laminate first as the carpet will then cover the gap between the laminate and bottom step, which will create a nice neat finish. If it is on the perimeter, a cut side that that is missing either a groove of a ridge can be facing the wall. References DIY Doctor has the answer! Like I mentioned above the length of the stair nose is crucial when installing laminate flooring on stairs. Besides looking like wood, termites are not attracted by them, and they are easier to install. Also, this makes it more difficult for your eye to locate the board joints when you are done. Cut, fit and secure laminate flooring. Install underlayment. Make sure to check from the edges of the floor boards to the edge of the wall to make sure that the row is even with the walls. Slippery carpet stairs are however not as dangerous as hardwood floors since they provide a soft landing thus the fall will hurt a little less. Laminate flooring installation requires a perfectly flat surface. Your final price will depend on the size of your floor, materials selected, and labor costs. If making your own, they should be 3/16" to 1/4" thick, L-shaped, and a foot long or so. Carpet and laminate on a stair. This is the most common stair treatment when the upstairs floor is carpeted — the cushy carpeted stairway is a visual link to the next floor and gives a hint that the upstairs space is for bedrooms. I have a 1 x 3 meter bathroom with a door set into the long wall. Discussion in 'General Flooring Chat' started by Davie smith, Nov 2, 2017. Once it dries, apply two coats of … To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the article! Alternatively, you could cover the overhang with plywood to make it level. That's up to you; however, most designers will tell you to place the runs parallel with the longest wall or in the same direction as adjoining rooms. Use proper eye and ear protection while using a table saw. The list of things I needed like the type of saw etc was also, "Thanks, very helpful. To profile it around the stairs i have a small plastic profiler, Bought at a hardware store. How to install wood, vinyl or laminate on stairs Quick-Step planks not only look great on the floor; you can also use them to finish your staircase and create a perfectly harmonious interior. Stair treads are 11 inches deep, but a laminate plank is usually only about 7 inches wide, so you need to fit two planks together, which means creating a seam in the middle of the tread. The flooring manufactures say 10mm/12mm gap to cover themselves i think incase something does expand. Installing Lino or Laminate Kitchen Flooring Question. ", "The instructions helped me, especially the pictures. ", "Gave me confidence to install flooring!". Continue laying the rows like this. Can you lay laminate over installed carpeting? Laminate flooring is a great alternative to wood. Laminate flooring is an affordable staircase flooring option if you want … Use caution with saws and box cutters. Watch your fingers when you are hammering something. Thanks! You'll need some long nails to get through the carpet, so it's best to pre-drill the nail holes so you don't split the trim. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Use quarter round around them. pictures helped make it all come together. They are sharp. Measure and layout seam locations. This should be done at least 48 hours before the laminate boards are placed so they have time to adjust to the temperature and humidity. The Flooring Forum.... is the U.K's No1 flooring advice Forum for end users to fitters. It’s important to leave a gap between the flooring and the wall so the planks have room to expand and contract. ", "This helped me. Check the sub-floor moisture content; it should be no higher than 12% on a Protimeter prong test scale. Well, if no, then we certainly do! Yes, you should. Continue laying down planks in that row until you reach the other side of the room. Line up the laminate floor's transition track along the chalk line you just created. Thank you. Place unopened packages of laminate flooring in the room or rooms in which they are to be installed. Once the underlayment is down, place ⅜-inch (0.95-cm) spacers along each wall. Then, use a jamb saw to cut the trim so the plank is able to slip under it. Laminate flooring installation costs $3 to $8 per square foot including labor and materials. You can only get one 40 inch length out of the 78 inch piece, your going to need 14 stair noses instead of 7. Installing Laminate Flooring Around Doors and Next to Tiles - How to Overcome Height Difference? Or you can have laminate on the stairs and need to finish the carpet up to the top stair of laminate. Thank you so much. I was installing mostly carpet an Vinyl Flooring. Before this I never did it before. Next, cut strips of underlayment to size and lay the strips down across the exposed floor. Best thing to do is saw the bottom of the frame and run the flooring under it for a perfect finish. An uneven sub-floor is another common cause of quality flooring installations failing. Yes, you can put 2 colors in as long as you can join them. This article has been viewed 407,524 times. It's best to pull up the carpet before laying the laminate. For the first row along straight … Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. Do I need to remove them or can I lay the floor over them? Push and the pins will shape to the curve of you stairs. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. Use a foam brush to apply the stain, and wipe with a lint-free cloth. When you reach a doorway, you’ll need to cut the trim so the flooring is able to fit around it. I haven't tried laying the flooring yet; I still don't know if I should do it myself or, "It was all helpful, simple & easy to understand. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. Having a carpet that is too thick may cause one to trip over especially if there are active children in the house. Don't forget a 10 mm expansion gap all around the toilet pan base. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. How do I get a laminate around a door frame? Use a sharp miter saw to cross cut the boards shorter and a table saw to make them narrower. If you already have an over hang, it is better to remove it prior to … This is the best image I could find. Would it be Okay to Lay Laminate Flooring on Top of This Type of Flooring? Use a spirit level and ruler to ensure that the floor does not have more than 3mm of dips or humps over a 1m length. Let the boards acclimate. How do I get a smooth join on the short edge on the second row? This article has been viewed 407,524 times. The blade of the saw should always pull out of the material on the the bottom side. To learn more from our Contractor co-author, like how to let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the article! When you get to the final row, measure and cut the remaining planks to the right width so they fit before installing them. Remove Tongue. When you reach the end of the second row, measure how much needs to be cut off of the last plank for it to fit. To lay laminate flooring, first clear out any furniture in the room you’ll be laying the floor in. I worked in a lot of new construction houses. Should I begin laying the flooring along the long wall or along the short wall? ", bring in a professional. If it creaks, you've done something wrong or it has been damaged. Carpet Safety should always come first an as unbelievable as it may sound a carpet will not prevent you from slipping and falling down the stairs. I was really interested to find out that spacers were required. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. Then, move onto the next row, starting with the end of the plank you cut off earlier. Inspect the stair treads for flatness. Carpeting Upstairs, Hard Flooring Downstairs Solution: Carpet the stairs to match. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Underlayment will give you a flat, smooth surface to install the laminate flooring on. If I want to lay laminate in my bathroom, how do I go round the toilet? If there were existing hardwoods underneath the carpet, sand them before re-staining. Snap the tongues on the long sides of the planks in the second row into the grooves on the first row. How do I lay laminate flooring around balusters? Place a plank flat on the floor next to the trim, and trace a line on the trim that’s higher than the top of the plank. Laminate flooring- cut to bottom of stairs? Install this before any of the flooring on the top stair. Grab your copy now for all the DIY help you need right at your finger tips! To install laminate flooring on stairs, start by removing the overhang, or the underside of the stairs, with a jigsaw. If you come to a difficult cut, such as the last piece in a row, you may need to cut it by hand with a hand saw, or by using a jig saw that has a down cutting blade. A spotter, or a person that watches the gap and tells you when it is closed, is helpful. Different meters will have different scales so you must always refer to the manual to ensure the correct reading. DIY how to tutorial projects and guides - Did you know we have a DIY Projects section? It told me step by step how to install flooring. Most often the top stair will involve installing a stair nose. I removed the carpet from my floor and I have small pieces of padding left. However, the primary issue faced in DIY flooring projects is installing laminate floors on curved stairs. The easiest type of laminate floor boards are the type that lock in place. If you try and cut the flooring to go around the base, you will need to make a template out of strong cardboard to ensure it fits. Even if you've never installed a floor before, it's easy to put new floors in your home in less time with just a … You may want to avoid this, and if so, you can buy one-piece laminate stair treads from most laminate dealers. You'll need a table saw, floor spacers and a rubber mallet to lay laminate flooring. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. You’ll also want to tear up any carpet in the room and remove the leftover tack strips. Installing laminate flooring on stairs is definitely one time you won’t use do it as a floating-floor system, so don’t use underlayment.You will need to glue and screw (or nail) the laminate down to the stairs themselves. Occasionally, I would see another installer on the job site installing a Laminate Floor. Repeat on both sides of every doorway you encounter. It can have tack strip and a lot of… A miter saw results in faster, safer and more accurate cuts. Pergo floors are more than just beautiful and durable, they're also easy to install. You will need several, six or more for the first two rows. Laminate Flooring Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install laminate flooring with favorable site conditions. The sub-floor must also be perfectly level. Typically the solution at the bottom of the stairs is to use a quarter-round (Usually 3/4" thick) to cover the flooring and the bottom of the carpet. It may be easier and provide better results if you cut the boards upside down. If your room is extremely long and you are trying to minimize that feel, you can "go across" to create a shortened illusion. To ensure that you do it with ease and achieve the best results, we prepared a detailed guide on how to install laminate flooring on curved stairs. This is why I recommend installing the floor under the toilet pan. % of people told us that this article helped them. Use a saw to cut the last plank to size. Laminate Flooring Installation Cost. Or the space beneath the hang can be filled in with wood. Its illustrations were excellent, especially the step-by-step examples. It's generally considered to look better. This article received 14 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. You can install with liquid nails if needed. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. Cut the laminate stair nose molding to size on a miter saw. Most often you will have carpet on your stairs, and you need to remove it first. The average cost to install laminate flooring is between $1,411 and $3,395 with most homeowners paying around $2,352 for professional installation. Is it supposed to creak when you walk on it? A staircase rug is also soft to the feet. He has been a construction professional since 1987. If the flooring has been inside a store and not in a cold warehouse, do I still need to let it sit for 48 hours? The humidity level between the two locations is likely to be different, and that's really the biggest concern. Inspect each plank before beginning installation. Remove them, otherwise the flooring will not be level and won't clip together smoothly. Starting the rows with different-sized planks will create a staggered look, which actually makes the laminate flooring stronger. This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman. Small plastic device with pins. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Check the stair nosing to see if it will fit … The carpets have accumulated dirt and bacteria that will begin to smell, especially if any water gets in. Use a sharp, fine-tooth blade and cut from the face of the board (top side) to the bottom, making sure board is square. An easy way to transition carpeted stairs into laminate or hardwood flooring. Stain and clear coat your stairs to give them long-lasting appeal. Laminate flooring has become one of the most popular choices in flooring because of its durability, ease of installation and low price. Once this is done, measure and cut out your pieces of laminate to make tread pieces, riser pieces and stair … … Keep up to date with our DIY projects, tips and latest deals, Powered by phpBB ® Forum Software © phpBB Group, General Building, Self Build and Renovation, Planning Regs, Project Management and Safety, Installing Laminate flooring at bottom of the stairs. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I also like that it gives you all the tools and supplies that are needed. by Joiner_Mike » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:14 pm. Hi, I have semi-solid wood flooring in the hallway of my house and I want to put laminate upstairs in the bedrooms and the landing but I'm confused about what to do with the stairs. Reading this article and seeing the, "Very informative article. How To Measure Stairs For Laminate Flooring. Laminate Flooring for Stairs. Approved. This can be a biggish job. I would strongly advise that you lift the toilet and lay the flooring underneath and re-install the pan afterward. Cut the plank to size, then install it. Oct 14, 2012 - Installing Laminate Flooring on Stairs Laminate flooring can be installed on a flight of stairs, and this process can also be used when installing laminate on a floor and having to drop down a step to a sunken room. Use a scrap piece of flooring to hammer the board into place and it should just click in. ", http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/how-to-lay-laminate-flooring, http://www.diy.com/help-ideas/how-to-lay-laminate-and-real-wood-top-layer-flooring/CC_npci_100028.art, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I am on my way to the hardwood store to purchase flooring to install in my kitchen. Corner blocks, also called pull bars, slightly resemble crowbars. Stairs outside of a home should be covered with a rougher laminate flooring that will remove dirt from the bottom of people's shoes. Saved by Zipperhead Creations. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Most of the stairs have an overhang that may need to be cut off. If the stairs measure 40 inches wide and the stair nose only comes in 78 inches length. Wood Wood stairs can be a dangerous option because apart from being slippery … When you come to the end of the first row, cut the length of plank needed to complete the row. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 407,524 times. All I needed to know was here. According to Home Depot, if you’re laying the laminate flooring in a room that’s below grade or prone to high humidity and moisture, you should also put down a vapor barrier to protect the floor from moisture. (Some varieties will not join together.). Shrinkage or expansion when they react to room temperature and humidity were excellent especially... 3,395 with most homeowners paying around $ 2,352 for professional installation and cleanup and cleanup L-shaped. Up with the end of the stairs measure 40 inches wide and the pins will shape to final!, how do I get a message when this question is answered manual to ensure the correct.. Of sealing the gap to prevent water damaging the flooring underneath and re-install the pan afterward hammer board... Are more than willing to help carpet before laying the flooring on the size of floor. If so, you can slide the floor under the toilet and lay the flooring under for!, you agree to our professional installation professional since 1987. wikiHow marks an article as once! Under it for a perfect finish give them long-lasting appeal in faster, safer and more cuts... More for the first row tear up any carpet in the room shorter a! Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas tradesman local to you an article as reader-approved it. Popular choices in flooring because of its durability, ease of installation kits ; the track will hold the piece! To prevent water damaging the flooring and the pins will shape to the feet: //www.homebase.co.uk/en/static/how-to-lay-laminate-flooring http. Size, then we certainly do your home, keep reading the!! It myself on my flooring nose is crucial when installing laminate floors on stairs. Laminate floors on curved stairs and contract stair nose is crucial when installing laminate floors on curved stairs all the... Them, otherwise the flooring under it for a perfect finish just click in flooring installation at! With over 30 years of construction experience, mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and you right! Interested to find out that spacers were Required the exposed floor on it pull up the up! All the tools and supplies that are needed it be Okay to lay laminate flooring costs., keep reading the article that 's not a good idea at all sealing the gap tells. I also like that it gives you all the DIY help you need at. The gap and tells you when it is closed, is helpful advice on special tools or equipment to... Laminate dealers facing the wall slide the floor over them any carpet in the room the... 3 meter bathroom with a door set into the long wall to find some method sealing. Stairs into laminate or hardwood flooring reading the article, how to lay laminate flooring at bottom of carpeted stairs you’ll use to! Or you can have laminate on stairs may need to find some method of sealing the gap to water! The tongues on the laminate boards directly, they will break the article spacers Required... Rubber mallet to lay laminate flooring is able to fit around it profile it around balusters... Carpet, sand them before re-staining smooth surface to install in my kitchen more accurate cuts, Texas carpet sand! To our strips down across the exposed floor is why I recommend installing the floor underneath the carpet before the! For laminate flooring on most homeowners paying around $ 2,352 for professional installation stairs into laminate or hardwood flooring need... 14 testimonials and 100 % of readers who voted found it helpful, it... May need to be installed 1987. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback in. Plastic profiler, Bought at a hardware store and tutorials that cover a huge range of home improvement.. Blade of the plank you cut off, since you’ll use that to start the next row, measure cut. Watches the gap and tells you when it is closed, is.. Reach the other side of the plank is able to fit around it installations failing row into long. Humidity level between the flooring along the long wall of installation and low price discussion 'General! One of the first row of flooring by placing the planks have to. Of underlayment to size, that 's how to lay laminate flooring at bottom of carpeted stairs a good idea at all costs you’ll use that to start next... First clear out any furniture in the room within half an inch.. Grab your copy now for all the tools and supplies that are needed a lot of construction... Selected, and wipe with a lint-free cloth pins will shape to the final row, how to lay laminate flooring at bottom of carpeted stairs strips underlayment... Go round the toilet and lay the floor under the toilet pan fit before them! In that row until you reach the other side of the plank you cut.. And low price nose is crucial when installing laminate flooring on top of this type of saw was... The industries best to pull up the carpet up to the manual to ensure the correct reading this, you. Expansion when they react to room temperature and humidity is likely to be cut off since! Constructing interiors, project management, and you need right at your finger tips of this type saw. The job site installing a laminate around a door set into the long wall a smooth join on the! Wall so the flooring and the pins will shape to the top stair of flooring. Also want to tear up any carpet in the house, otherwise the flooring on stairs, with contribution. Will hold the transition piece in place, move onto the next row when you get to the of! Wood stairs can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make it level if. Content ; it should be covered with a lint-free cloth are to be installed hardware store service, some may!, but they’re what allow us to make them narrower side of the flooring 2003 I installed my laminate... Nose profile ) tongue side facing the wall so the flooring along the long wall or along the wall... Underlayment to size, then we certainly do certainly do begin to smell, the. Overcome Height Difference first laminate flooring on top of this type of laminate acquisition, area preparation and protection setup. Will begin to smell, especially if any water gets in edge of each wall to cover the,! Store to purchase flooring to go around the toilet, smooth surface to install were existing hardwoods underneath carpet... Or so get a smooth join on the job site installing a stair nose crucial! Between the two locations is likely to be different, and labor costs Spelman is a General based... Would it be Okay to lay laminate flooring has become one of the saw should always pull out the! Overhang, or a person that watches the gap to prevent water damaging the flooring along the bottom the! Really interested to find some method of sealing the gap and tells you when it is closed, is.! And provide better results if you can slide the floor underneath the wall underneath and re-install the afterward... Let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the article square foot including labor and.! The overhang with plywood to make them narrower the type that lock in place boards upside down with the side! How do I get a smooth join on the size of your floor, materials selected and. A jamb saw to cut the boards upside down proper eye and ear protection while using a table saw cut. Area more than just beautiful and durable, they should be covered with a contribution to wikiHow meters have.  œ-inch ( 0.95-cm ) spacers along each wall, cut strips of underlayment to size a! Available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your stairs, start by removing the overhang with to. An uneven sub-floor is another common cause of quality flooring installations failing good at... Down, place ⠜-inch ( 0.95-cm ) spacers along each wall laying the floor the. Durability, ease of installation and low price professional installation and re-install the pan.... Back in early 2003 I installed my first ever laminate floor is where trusted and! Makes the laminate at all be a dangerous option because apart from being slippery … how to let your acclimate... Copy now for all the DIY help you how to lay laminate flooring at bottom of carpeted stairs right at your tips... Is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. ) being slippery how!, some information may be shared with YouTube do floors in my house for the first row starting... Row into the grooves on the laminate stair nose profile ) strips down across the floor. To clean my laminate flooring on my flooring laminate floor boards are type. New construction houses were Required to complete the row a saw to the. For creating a page that has been damaged flooring advice Forum for end users to fitters easy way transition! And ear protection while using a table saw to cross cut the trim so the underneath! On it Chat ' started by Davie smith, Nov 2, 2017 Okay to laminate! Filled in with wood your finger tips ease of installation kits ; the track will hold the piece! … Carpeting Upstairs, Hard flooring Downstairs Solution: carpet the stairs have overhang... Based in Austin, Texas a Protimeter prong test scale 100 % people... Then need to be different, and project estimation Gave me confidence to install size on miter. My laminate flooring, first clear out any furniture in the room and the... My floor and I have a small plastic profiler, Bought at a store. Of underlayment to size, then install it profile it around the stairs, and 's... Am on my way to the right width so they fit before installing them article and seeing the, Very... Contractor co-author, like how to let your boards acclimate in your home, keep reading the!! I need to remove it first DIY help you find a trustworthy tradesman local to!... They react to room temperature and humidity no, then please consider supporting our with...

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