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can i install laminate flooring over hardwood

by Mr. Major Lindgren DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Laminate flooring can be installed directly over hardwood, often with no preparation necessary. If your laminate has a built-in underlayer, you may install it right on top of the hardwood.Apr 20, 2013

Full Answer

How to lay laminate flooring?

  • Remove the existing flooring, baseboards and moulding.
  • Check that the subfloor is solid, flat and clean. ...
  • If you are installing the flooring below grade or in a room with high humidity or moisture, such as a basement, lay down a vapor barrier before you install the ...
  • Lay out the unopened boxes of laminate planks in the room. ...

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Where can you buy laminate?

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Is laminate flooring real?

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What are the types of laminate flooring?

  • Laminate comes in planks, tiles or squares that feature an interlocking tongue-and-groove assembly, which simplifies installation.
  • Grain styles of laminate wood flooring mimic the look of pine, maple, cherry, oak and other hardwoods.
  • Other styles of laminate replicate the look of stone, marble, limestone, slate and travertine.

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What flooring can be installed over existing hardwood?

Strip or Plank Hardwood Flooring. Sheet Vinyl or Linoleum. Ceramic Tile. Glued Down Commercial Carpet.

Is it cheaper to refinish hardwood or install laminate?

Expense. Price is usually the first thing people consider when it comes to refinishing or replacing a hardwood floor. The truth is, it is almost always cheaper to refinish your floor than to replace it.

Should you cover your hardwood floors with laminate?

0:449:05Why You should Consider Laminate Flooring over Hardwood FloorsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut what I wanted to discuss with you today is higher quality laminate floors because laminate isMoreBut what I wanted to discuss with you today is higher quality laminate floors because laminate is not laminate. In other words not all laminates the thing just like anything else on there there's

Should I remove old hardwood before installing vinyl plank?

LVT planks have an incredibly realistic wood look, and vinyl flooring care and maintenance is a breeze. Here's something even better. If you've been graced with authentic hardwood flooring, it isn't even necessary for you to remove it before installing LVT!

What are the disadvantages of laminate flooring?

THE DISADVANTAGES OF LAMINATE FLOORINGCannot be refinished. One popular function of natural timber flooring is that it can be sanded back and refinished to renew its appearance over the years. ... Not moisture-proof. Being made of wood, laminate flooring is not impervious to the effects of moisture.

Does laminate flooring hurt resale value?

Bottom Line. Laminate flooring, in good condition, improves the value of the home over traditional wall-to-wall carpeting. However, hardwood floors are still more valuable to potential buyers than laminate flooring.

Can you put vinyl plank on top of hardwood?

Vinyl is a very versatile material that is well suited to go over hardwood. It stands up well to heavy foot traffic, pets, kids, dirt, and soil, making it a great flooring solution for just about any room or setting with less maintenance than hardwood.

How do you install laminate on wood?

1:262:30How to Laminate - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPut some 1/2 inch dowels on the MDF. About 10 inches apart. And lower the laminate onto the dowels.MorePut some 1/2 inch dowels on the MDF. About 10 inches apart. And lower the laminate onto the dowels. This gives you the opportunity to get it positioned just.

What type of flooring adds the most value to a home?

HardwoodHard surface flooring will give you the best return on investment, or ROI. Hardwood will be your best bet with the highest ROI since it's the long-standing preferred flooring choice.

Can you put new flooring over hardwood floors?

Wood flooring can be installed over existing ceramic tile, terrazzo, or marble with proper underlayment or adhesives only on manufacturer's recommendation. G. Installing wood flooring over an existing wood floor. Caution: Do not sand any surfaces containing lead based finishes/paints or asbestos.

Can you lay wooden floor on top of wooden floor?

Hardwood flooring boards (either solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring) can be fitted onto existing wooden floor boards. The hardwood flooring should run perpendicular to the existing floor boards to provide maximum strength and stability.

Should I cover my hardwood floors?

Yes, hardwood floors are beautiful, but leaving them as-is can lead to scratches, injuries, and more. Covering up the hardwood in your home is not only a good idea, but a necessary step for maintaining the quality of your flooring and the safety of your family.

Is it cheaper to refinish hardwood floors or replace?

Refinishing hardwood floors is more cost-effective than replacing them. On average, it costs about $2,000 to $7,000 to replace hardwood flooring (two to three times more than to refinish).

What is the cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors?

Applying a revitalizer gloss is the simplest and cheapest way to refinish hardwood floors. This approach works best on floors that only have surface-level scratches and other minor wear and tear issues. You can get the job done without the need for equipment rentals or hard-to-find materials.

Is hardwood or laminate cheaper?

Not only are the materials themselves cheaper, but laminate wood installation cost is, on average, 50 percent less than hardwood installation. Laminate flooring can cost $3-$7 per square foot, including installation.

Do you need underlay for laminate flooring on wood?

Some laminate flooring planks come with the underlayment attached to each plank. Underlayment is not optional. If your laminate planks don't have it already attached, we recommend that you buy rolls of underlayment on which to install your laminate floor.

Is hardwood better than laminate?

Also, real hardwood is much more enduring than laminates, though these can be repaired if there is minor damage, or damage to just one plank.

Can laminate flooring be installed over hardwood?

Laminate flooring can be installed directly over hardwood, often with no preparation necessary. If your laminate has a built-in underlayer, you may install it right on top of the hardwood. If the new flooring does not have the built-in underlayer, simply roll out and tape your underlayment to the wood floor and begin installing the laminate.

Is it cheaper to install laminate or hardwood?

Finally, depending on the laminate you choose and the condition of your current floor, installing a laminate floor can be cheaper than restoring your old hardwood floor. Just to be fair, we should mention that many homeowners find a real hardwood floor much more attractive and valuable than laminate flooring.

Can you put laminate flooring over hardwood?

Installing a laminate floor over hardwood is a great option in many cases. For one thing, if you ever want to revert back to the original hardwood, you can simply pull out the laminate and the old floor has suffered no damage.

Do you need to sand down hardwood floors before installing laminate flooring?

If your hardwood floor is in very rough shape, you will need to do some preparatory work before installing the laminate. Any protruding nails or fasteners must be pulled (or sunk securely into the wood), and any floorboards that are bowed or angled up must be sanded down.

Is laminate flooring easy to install?

laminate flooring. Without question, laminate flooring has gained massive popularity in the last decade, since it strikes a great balance of being economical, durable, attractive and easy to install. Part of that ease of installation that makes laminate flooring so desirable is that it can be quickly installed directly over many kinds ...

How much gap between door and floor for laminate?

Check the bottom of all the doors in the room. There should be at least 1/8″ – 1/4″ or 3mm – 6mm gap between the door bottom and floor.

How long does it take for laminate flooring to acclimate?

Prior to the installation, laminate floors need to acclimate in the room. It takes around 2-3 days for the laminate floors to acclimate. This will help normalize your laminate planks to the normal conditions of the room. Otherwise, if you don’t acclimate laminate flooring and you’ve prematurely installed it, each laminate plank may expand or contract unevenly which could cause it to buckle or break away from the joints.

Can you lay laminate flooring on the longer side?

You can lay the laminate flooring following the direction of the longer side of the room. This will visually enhance the length of the room, making it look longer than it is.

Can you go in any direction with laminate flooring?

You can go in any direction that makes sense to you. Just make sure that the planks are placed in a staggered manner. Avoid any of the shorter seams to line up as it will not only look unpleasant but it can also compromise the structural integrity of the flooring.

Is it easier to work without furniture?

It’s easier to work without any furniture or unnecessary objects occupying the work area. So make sure to take out of the room anything that will interfere with your work.

Can you install quarter round molding on one wall?

Once all the laminate planks are in place, you can work on one wall at a time installing a shoe or quarter round molding, or if you’re reusing the old baseboard, to install it back.

Why Is This the Right Decision?

Installing laminate over hardwood floors is a great choice for its many other advantages. You can easily convert to your previous hardwood setup if you want. You just simply pull out the laminate flooring setup without any damage to your old hardwood floor. It’s simple than you think!

Tips on How to Lay the Flooring

Here are some tips that will be handy in laying the flooring ornament.

What happens when you walk over laminate flooring?

Since there will be a foam underlayment installed and the laminate floor will be raised, as you walk over it, there will be air movement underneath that will encourage dirt or dust that has not been removed to blow around and you may notice some crunching or grinding sound happening. 6.

How long does laminate flooring last?

Not all laminate floors are made the same but most products, with the proper care and maintenance, could last a minimum of 10 years to more than 25 years. And if you’re placing this flooring as a temporary solution, you could always revert back to the original hardwood flooring.

What is underlayment in laminate flooring?

An underlayment allows the floor to float, keeps it stable, adds noise reduction qualities, and supports the laminate’s locking system of the joints. Some laminate floors already have a built-in underpad attached to each of its floorboards, which no longer requires a separate roll of underlayment.

Is it cheaper to put laminate over hardwood?

One of the advantages of putting laminate over your hardwood floor is that it is cheaper to just place a new laminate flooring than to restore and refinish the existing hardwood. Laminate flooring is available in different sizes and different wood designs.

Do you have to clean hardwood floors before installing laminate?

Before you start with the installation, sweep the floor, use a vacuum, make sure all the wood joints, where dirt usually settles, are cleaned off.

Can you lay laminate flooring over hardwood?

Laying laminate flooring over your existing hardwood floor will raise the floor a few units higher. There will be doors, trims, moldings, or closet doors that might be affected by raising the floor and you need to identify these elements beforehand so that you will be able to address them when you start laying down the laminates.

Can laminate flooring be installed over wood?

Technically, laminate can be installed over existing wood floors but certain conditions should be met to get it installed properly. One of which is that the wood floor should be flat, and free from any height variations. And there are still others to be checked before installing it over wood.

Can you change elevation on hardwood floors?

Make sure that the existing hardwood floor is level without any changes in elevation. These could be minor changes from one board to another or a change in elevation from one room to another.

Can a laminate floor be nailed down?

An exposed nail would damage the laminate floor from underneath so they need to be secured ahead of time.

What happens if water gets in between laminate and hardwood?

If water gets in between the hardwood and laminate it can sit there and it will slowly rot the wood underneath. Although it takes a while for the wood to rot all the way through, it can begin to have a musty smell, and can make both the underlayment and the hardwood a lot weaker. Over time it will make the floor less structurally sound.

What is the best underlayment for hardwood floors?

Interestingly there are a range of underlayments you can use underneath hardwood, for example, plastic, foam, cork, felt, and rubber. Foam and cork are the best underlayment for hardwood floors (source: link ). However, they can be quite pricey.

Why do laminate floors creak?

The main goal of preparing the laminate flooring is to make it level, dry, and clear of any debris. Debris such as dust, or wood chips will create an air pocket that can make your floor boards creak when you walk on them. And can create small bumps in the underlayment, which overall makes it uneven.

What to do if you have too high sanding?

If there are areas that are too high you can sand them down by hand or using an electric sander. You can also build up areas that are too low using a filler also called a levelling compound. A filler is a wet compound that you spread over the area using a trowel and then let dry.

Can you lay hardwood over laminate flooring?

Although, it’s possible to lay hardwood over laminate flooring, you may be wondering whether you should, and if it’s the best way to lay hardwood when you already have laminate flooring installed on top of the subfloor. As a whole, it’s less work to install hardwood over laminate flooring rather than removing the laminate flooring first.

Can you put underlayment on laminate flooring?

The main issue with hardwood floors is keeping moisture from getting underneath it, so it’s best to put down an underlayment on top of the laminate flooring. There are a range of different underlayments you can use.

Is hardwood flooring better than laminate flooring?

Hardwood floors for the most part look a lot better than laminate flooring, because they’re real wood rather than having a wood-like finish. But, can you lay hardwood over laminate flooring?

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1.Can I lay laminate flooring over existing hardwood floors?

Url:https://www.nadinefloors.com/can-i-lay-laminate-flooring-over-existing-hardwood-floors/

6 hours ago  · Laminate flooring can be installed on top of hardwood boards that are in fairly good condition with no preparatory work at all. If the laminate has a built-in underlayer, you could simply lay it on top of the hardwood flooring. If the laminate does not have a built-in underlayer, on the other hand, you will need to roll out and tape your underlayment to the wood and then begin the …

2.Videos of Can I Install Laminate Flooring Over Hardwood

Url:/videos/search?q=can+i+install+laminate+flooring+over+hardwood&qpvt=can+i+install+laminate+flooring+over+hardwood&FORM=VDRE

6 hours ago  · It is less likely to get damaged and worth the cost. Adding laminate flooring over the existing hardwood flooring is possible but best for specific scenarios. Laminating a hardwood floor tends to reduce its value. Therefore if you are not willing to invest in redoing your hardwood floor and intend to get it done at a cheap price, then get it laminated.

3.Can I Put Laminate Flooring Over Hardwood?

Url:https://www.newlifehi.com/blog/can-i-put-laminate-flooring-over-hardwood

2 hours ago  · Laminate flooring can be installed directly over hardwood, often with no preparation necessary. If your laminate has a built-in underlayer, you may install it right on top of the hardwood. If the new flooring does not have the built-in underlayer, simply roll out and tape your underlayment to the wood floor and begin installing the laminate. If your hardwood floor is …

4.How To Install Laminate Over Hardwood: In 15 Easy Steps

Url:https://www.allaboutmaterials.com/how-to-install-laminate-over-hardwood-in-15-easy-steps

12 hours ago  · You can install a laminate floor over a hardwood floor as long as the existing hardwood floor is in good condition. Laminate is a floating floor meaning that it can be installed on any flat and strong base like your hardwood floor as …

5.Can I lay laminate flooring over existing hardwood floors?

Url:https://www.attnational.org/can-i-lay-laminate-flooring-over-existing-hardwood-floors/

24 hours ago  · Installing laminate over hardwood floors is a great choice for its many other advantages. You can easily convert to your previous hardwood setup if you want. You just simply pull out the laminate flooring setup without any damage to your old hardwood floor. It’s simple than you think! Tips on How to Lay the Flooring. Here are some tips that will be handy in laying …

6.Can You Put Laminate Over a Wood Floor? 6 Things to …

Url:https://www.allaboutmaterials.com/can-you-put-laminate-over-a-wood-floor-6-things-to-consider

36 hours ago Laying laminate flooring over your existing hardwood floor will raise the floor a few units higher. There will be doors, trims, moldings, or closet doors that might be affected by raising the floor and you need to identify these elements beforehand so that you will be able to address them when you start laying down the laminates.

7.Can You/Should You Put Laminate Over Hardwood/Wood …

Url:https://readytodiy.com/can-you-should-you-put-laminate-over-hardwood-wood-subfloor-0051/

2 hours ago Not only is it possible to put laminate directly over hardwood or a wood subfloor, but it is also a preferred method of installing laminate flooring. Hardwood floor makes an excellent subfloor for laminate and many other types of flooring. Very little preparation is needed and you can have your new floor down in no time.

8.Can You Lay Hardwood Over Laminate Flooring? - Ready …

Url:https://readytodiy.com/can-you-lay-hardwood-over-laminate-flooring-0051/

16 hours ago As a general rule, provided the laminate flooring is clean, dry and structural sound you can install hardwood over laminate flooring. The main issue with hardwood floors is keeping moisture from getting underneath it, so it’s best to put down an underlayment on top of the laminate flooring.

9.Can a solid hardwood floor be installed over an existing …

Url:https://www.quora.com/Can-a-solid-hardwood-floor-be-installed-over-an-existing-laminate-floor

16 hours ago Yes. Laminate flooring “floats,” meaning it is not attached to the subfloor. Hardwood is nailed into a subfloor. So if you install hardwood on top of laminate, you will have to nail through the laminate as well. This will cause some of the laminate to crack immediately, other pieces may come loose as well, over time.

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