Basically, laminate flooring in bathroom is not a popular choice as most people believe that high level of water exposure may buckle its planks. However, there are waterproof laminate flooring available in the home improvement stores which can be installed in bathroom. There are a number of advantages associated with this type of flooring. Like, it is an environment friendly material. It is highly durable. Most importantly, cleaning and maintenance of laminate flooring is not a big hassle at all.
Installing Laminate flooring in a Bathroom
As you know, you have to buy waterproof laminate flooring for the bathroom. Take the measurements of the bathroom and calculate the exact quantity of laminate material needed. You also have to buy rubber underlay pads. Besides, you need some equipment and materials for the job. They are: nails, hammer, crow bar, power saw, rubber mallet, utility knife, etc. When you have procured all these necessary items, follow the installation instructions given below:
Step #1: The first step is preparation of the work area. The best part of laminate flooring is that it can be laid on any type of flooring provided that the floor condition is good and is properly leveled. Remove the baseboards from walls. Clean up the floor and check out for any defects. If any damage is detected, it should be repaired before laying the floor. While working in bathroom, you have to disconnect the water supply, remove the toilet and cover up the drains.
Step #2: Prior to installation, you must go for a dry run. Here, you will place the laminate board on the floor to get an idea how to cover up the floor. This is done because there are bathroom fixtures where you cannot fit in a whole plank. You have to cut the planks to fit them in those areas. Use the power saw to cut the planks as per your requirements.
Step #3: Place the moisture barrier sheet on the bathroom floor. Secure it along the edges so that it does not get displaced. Now, lay the rubber underlay pads over the plastic sheet. Generally, manufacturers provide instructions about installation of underlay and you have to follow the same. You have to cut holes on this pad when you are laying it around toilet flange and other such areas of the bathroom.
Step #4: Start installing laminate flooring in bathroom from any one corner. Place the first laminate board one-fourth inch away from the bathroom wall. This is an expansion gap which has to be maintained along all the edges of the flooring. In order to keep the gaps uniform, you can use tile spacers. Lay the next board in such a way that the top edges of both the boards touch each other. Then take the rubber mallet and tap it gently so that the two planks get interlocked. Use the same technique to lay the remaining boards. You have to install the specially cut planks of laminate flooring around the toilet flange and other such areas. When you reach the opposite end of the wall, lay the last board with great care. A crowbar will be helpful in setting in the last plank on the bathroom floor.
Step #5: Apply silicone sealant on the border lines of two adjacent laminate boards. This is done to ensure that water does not seep below floor through these edges. You should also seal up the areas where bathroom fixtures are located. Finally, fix up the baseboards on the walls so that the expansion gaps of newly installed laminate floor get covered up.
Laminate flooring adds so much beauty and warmth to bathroom flooring which tiles or any other material cannot give. Moreover, the cost is not very high. Therefore, you can improve bathroom decor without spending a huge some of money.
