Laminate Floor Problems Expansion

For laminate flooring expansion space is required around walls fixed objects all vertical surfaces and even screws and other fasteners used to hold an item in place such as a closet slider on top of the laminate floor.

Laminate floor problems expansion.

Laminate was not the first attempt of a floating floor. When laminate flooring first hit the united states in 1994 under the brand name pergo flooring installation began to change. Simply remove the molding and cut a section of flooring between the floor and the walls. Since it is a floating floor the planks tend to contract when it is cool and expand when it is warm.

Create expansion joints and use a dehumidifier in the room to reduce moisture content causing the bubbles and swelling. You may need to replace the subfloor and the water damaged planks to maintain a uniform look. These laminate flooring problems may be seen overall or it may be found in isolated areas. With laminate flooring came a floating floor with a pad underneath it.

Do not cut your laminate floors tight to baseboards or. If the moldings are attached to the floorboards remove the nails or detach the glue. With end lifting the ends of the laminate flooring boards appear raised. 7 not leaving room for edge expansion.

Buckling occurs when laminate flooring does not have enough space to contract and expand with temperature changes. In this article we discuss the most common laminate flooring problems. Fix the underlying laminate flooring problem. Complaints problems with laminate floors.

The cause of end lifting is varied. Failure to leave the proper expansion space will often result in the planks squeaking lifting or separating. What this means is the wood expands or contracts or grows and shrinks in response to changing temperatures and humidity. Expansion joints in laminate flooring laminate flooring consists to about 90 of wood.

It s a common saying that wood works. Floating floors need an expansion zone floating floors require floor prep too. As i mentioned earlier a laminate floor is meant to float it interlocks and moves together. With a short read you will be better informed when purchasing or caring for your existing laminate floor.

The best way to fix constant bubbling on laminate flooring is to get rid of excess moisture under the planks. Being a natural organic material wood is always in motion. And in most situations laminate flooring problems can be avoided with a little extra time spent on the part of you the salesperson and the installer. If the floor doesn t have an adequate expansion gap you ll have to make one.

If you laying your laminate floor over wood subfloor on a first or second floor skip the vapor barrier as wood is a natural product that is meant to breathe. Helpful tools include spacers and a jigsaw. Laminate flooring is made from wood products but not from solid wood.