Laminate Installation

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Flooring | Randy's Flooring

Pre-Installation Checklist

When you take the right pre-installation steps for your new laminate, you can ensure a smooth process and minimize displacement:

  • Remove all furniture, electronics and wall hangings from the rooms and closets receiving new laminate.
  • Many laminate products can be installed as a floating floor, which reduces time and tasks!
  • If your installers recommend that the laminate should not be installed over the existing floors, they will need to be removed and disposed of entirely.
  • Once your subfloor has been professionally assessed, you are cleared for laminate installation!
  • If your laminate is being installed as a floating floor, you will need to take down all doors and shave down the bottoms to restore full range of motion with the new flooring height.

Laminate Installation Experts in
Coralville and Cedar Rapids, IA

Randy's Flooring is your source for the best laminate installation in Eastern Iowa.
Read these laminate installation terms to learn more about this exciting process:

Floating Floor Deflection

FLOATING FLOOR DEFLECTION

Laminate is a floating floor. This means it “rests” on your existing sub-floor. There is no such thing as a perfectly flat floor. You will notice that the floor moves or “deflects” when walking on it. This may be more noticeable in some parts of the floor versus others. Your installer will check to the best of their ability the levelness of your sub-floor. There are times some floor coverings such as carpet will hide sub-floor issues. If we discover any issues upon removing your existing flooring the installer will bring it to your attention immediately. There may be an extra charge to repair or level your sub-floor.

Walls / Baseboards / Ceiling Nail Pops

WALLS / BASEBOARDS / CEILING NAIL POPS

Our installers will use caution while in your home to prevent marking baseboards and walls; however some minor scratching and marking can occur during removal of your old flooring and installation of your laminate. Base that is removed and rehung may not be tight at joints. Quarter round may be needed and should not be nailed through laminate. Drywall nail pops can occur while removing your old flooring. Randy’s Flooring is not responsible nor do we reimburse for minor scratches, marks and nail pops in baseboards or drywall.

Cabinets / Built-Ins

CABINETS / BUILT-INS

Cabinets and built-ins cannot be installed on top of laminate.

Moldings

MOLDINGS

Laminate floors require transitions at all doorways, hallways, and sliders. Since laminate “floats” each manufacturer requires the floor to be “broken” when going from large areas into small openings, generally under 4' wide.

Temperature / Moisture / Humidity

TEMPERATURE / MOISTURE / HUMIDITY

Laminate is a wood by-product. It will retain and give off moisture. Temperature, moisture and humidity all affect laminates. Ideally your home should always be between 65° and 75° and 35% to 55% humidity. Changes in moisture around your home will affect your laminate floors. Crawl spaces, landscaping, clogged gutters, sprinklers etc. can all raise moisture levels in and around your home thus affecting the laminate. Everything listed above is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain.

Scratching And Dents

SCRATCHING AND DENTS

While laminate is very resilient it can still scratch and dent. Putting walk off mats by doors, keeping your floor swept, putting felt protectors on chairs and furniture will all help prevent scratches and dents. large entertainment units, and pool tables. Please make arrangements in advance to have these items moved. Your HVAC system must be operational for us to install your floor. The temperature must remain at a minimum of 65°.

Dust

DUST

Dust will be generated from removing existing floor coverings, cutting and installing the new material. Our installer’s will do everything possible to minimize dust; however it is not possible to eliminate it. Randy’s Flooring does not pay or reimburse for cleaning up dust.

Electrical, Alarm Wires & Pipes

Electrical, Alarm Wires & Pipes

ELECTRICAL / ALARM WIRES AND PIPES Randy’s Flooring is not responsible for cut, pierced or broken electrical/alarm wires or pipes that are improperly placed/ran in walls, along baseboards, under floors and not in accordance with your local building code.

You should be present when the installers arrive to review the job, confirm selection and color. Please understand an extra service charge may apply for any extra work incurred due to unforeseen problems with your sub-floor or lack of proper preparation leading to extra time spent on your job by the installers.

Laminate Installation | Randy's Flooring

What To Expect During
Laminate Installation

On the day of your new laminate installation, plan for an adult to stay home in order to:

  • Answer any questions that arise for the installation crew.
  • Designate an area for installers to keep dangerous tools, keep boxes of laminate, and saw pieces as needed.
  • Keep all kids and pets away from the rooms receiving new laminate and the worker’s area.
  • Establish adequate ventilation indoors as recommended by the installation crew.
Family having Fun On Floor | Randy's Flooring

Congrats! Your Laminate Installation Is Now Complete!

Now that your new laminate is successfully installed, make sure to do the following:

  • Walk through with the installation team and ask any questions you may have.
  • Wait for the recommended amount of time before the new laminate receives foot traffic or furniture. Many floating laminate floors are ready for light foot traffic right away!
  • When returning furniture, lift or use moving equipment with rollers to avoid scratching the laminate surface.
  • Use felt protecters under the legs of heavy furniture to reduce impact.