How To Install Swiss Krono Laminate Floors

One of the best things about the Swiss Krono laminate flooring is that you don’t need to engage the services of a qualified tradie or a flooring expert to install your floors for you. With laminate flooring, you have the option to lay your floors by yourself for yourself.

Whether you’re a DIYer, a house flipper, or simply restricted to a budget, you can have a professional looking laminate floor under your feet in a matter of no time, all off your own back, without the costs of hiring a professional.

However, if this sounds like an option you’d like to explore, you should still be aware that fitting a floor is no easy task. The job still requires a little finesse, skill, and preparation if you want a professional looking floor fitted firmly under your feet.

In this article, Infloorings try to give you a step-by-step breakdown on how to install Swiss Krono laminate floors using a DIY approach. These instructions are mostly suitable for total newbies, but can also act as a great refresher for anybody who already has professional experience or a background in flooring.

Equipment

If you have absolutely zero experience when it comes to laying floors, this is the right guide for you!

As with any hands-on job involving the operation of tools and the handling of sharp objects, there is always a risk that you might do harm to yourself and others when laying a laminate floor.

To minimise this risk, you’ll want to purchase some PPE (personal protective equipment) before getting your hands dirty.

If you don’t already own these items or you hid them a little too well in your garage, get on down to your local hardware store and buy some basic PPE such as:

·   a dust mask (to prevent the inhalation of dust mites and other microscopic nasties while you work)

·   some knee pads (trust me, you’ll be spending a lot of time on your knees and you’ll be thankful you had a barrier between your patella and the floor by the end of the job!)

·   a pair of gloves to protect your hands and fingers

·   some sturdy work boots (preferably steel-capped)

·   and some safety goggles to protect your eyes. (Note: safety glasses can be used as an alternative, but goggles generally have a snugger fit and are less likely to fall off while you work)

Now that you have your PPE all sorted, it’s time to consider the basic hand tools you’ll require if you’re going to complete the job correctly.

Tools and materials

Every laminate flooring product comes with its own set of installation instructions. We recommend that you follow the instructions specific to the flooring product you’ve purchased, and use the tools suggested therein.

However, should your product fail to come with instructions or a list of tools, you can always refer to the generic list provided below.

You will be completing a variety of tasks at different stages of the installation process, so you’ll want to make sure, at the very least, that you have the following rudimentary tools on hand:

·   Clawhammer to remove nails and other tacks (and potentially a crowbar to pry up old floorboards)

·   Stanley knife (or a similar blade) to slice up carpet

·   Tape measure and marker – to measure up and mark the dimensions of your planks

·   Handsaw – (or preferably a circular saw) to cut planks to desired lengths and widths

·   Strong adhesive (not always necessary, but can be used in some instances to better grip the floor to the subfloor if required)

·   Silicone sealant – to seal up cracks and gaps between planks, especially in water-prone areas

·   And finally – of course – you’ll need to purchase your laminate flooring product and get it onsite, ready for installation!

Excellent! Now that you’ve got your PPE ready and you have handy all the tools you’ll need to install your laminate floor, it’s time to pull on those gloves and get started. But, before you get started…

Just one more thing!

Installing a laminate floor is a relatively easy process, yet every worksite – no matter how big or small that worksite might be – comes with its own inherent risks and dangers.

You should aim to create the safest work environment possible by assessing the space in which you’ll be working and removing or defusing potential hazards before getting started. Make sure that you exercise caution every step of the way, and always be on the lookout for other hazards that might arise during the process.

If you’re working with others, make sure you have established a clear communication system, and that you are always spatially aware of one another’s presence and movement throughout the workspace.

When engaging in manual lifting or the operation of tools, always make sure you do so in the most ergonomic way possible to reduce stress on your body and to minimise the likelihood of causing harm to yourself or others.

Now that we’ve covered that, it’s time to get stuck into the dirty work.

The 10-Step Process

Again, if you wish to achieve the best possible outcomes, we advise that you read and follow any instructions that may be provided with your specific flooring product, or at least use those instructions in collaboration with the easy 10 Step Process listed below:

1.   Preparatory to installing your floor, you should remove your laminate flooring planks from their packaging and allow them to acclimate to room temperatures.

2.   In the meantime, clear the space in which you’ll be working by temporarily removing or relocating all furniture to another room.

3.   Now that the space has been cleared, tear up any old carpet or flooring layers to expose the subfloor. If there are floorboards there that you wish to remove, use your hammer and crowbar to pry them up. (Hint: cut old carpet into smaller strips using your Stanley knife to make the decarpeting process easier!)

4.   Conduct a mat test to assess moisture levels in the subfloor. (Sometimes this can take up to 72 hours).

5.   If the test comes back dry, it’s time to unroll your underlayment (a thin cushioning layer that will be sandwiched between the subfloor and the planks), measure it up to fit the dimensions of the room, cut it to size, and stick it into place.

6.   By now, your planks should have acclimated, and they will be ready for installation. Lay out the planks and engage the locking system so they’re ready to install.

7.   Measure, mark and cut the planks to your desired lengths. Take care to make sure you cut as precisely and neatly as you can for the best possible finish.

8.   Fit the planks into place over the underlayment and click them together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. If you feel it is required, now is the time to apply adhesives to fix your planks into place.

9.   If you have installed your planks in a moisture-prone area (such as a bathroom, kitchen, or entryway to the house) make sure you now apply a silicone sealant to prevent any future liquid absorption or water damage.

10.  Last of all, dispose of any waste in accordance with local council or waste management laws.

Now that your floor is installed and all the mess is cleaned up, it’s time for you to enjoy the supple feel of a glossy new floor underfoot, and to let your eyes relish in the gorgeous woodgrain effects of a brand-spanking laminate floor.

Make sure, for the best results and to prolong its lifespan, that you maintain your beautiful laminate floor on a regular basis.

Last words…

Laminate flooring is one of the most versatile, gorgeous and high-performance flooring systems on the market that you can install by yourself without employing a professional to do it for you.

Nevertheless, no matter how experienced or inexperienced you might be when it comes to flooring (or embarking on any DIY project for that matter), we strongly advise that you always use common sense and know your limits should you go ahead and decide to do it all by your lonesome.

If you’re ever in doubt and unsure that you can do it by yourself, you should consult a professional or hit up a mate with a background in flooring to give you advice or a helping hand.

The Swiss Krono laminate floor  is a beautiful product available in a range of colours and designs, is easily installable, and is highly affordable. But, should this fail to tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other laminate flooring options out there too.

Now that you’re all done, it’s time to sit back, kick up your feet, and enjoy your accomplishments in installing your very own floor!