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Installing Laminate Flooring in a Bathroom

If you want to know the best way to lay laminate flooring in a bathroom your as best advised to follow the flooring manufacturer's instructions. Installing bathroom flooring is straightforward, only complicated by the number of items that need to be cut around. Be sure to buy laminate flooring that carries a warranty on bathroom installation.

Installing bathroom flooring is a great weekend project that will not only give your bathroom a lift but will also give you a sense of accomplishment. Manufacturer's generally offer three choices of laminate:
1. tongue and groove
2. glued
3. pre-glued

The tongue and groove laminate flooring doesn't require glue and is secured in place by locking pieces together like a puzzle. However, the edges usually require glue to seal the pieces together, leaving you with one giant piece of flooring. While these floors are often more expensive than other laminate flooring, many homeowners choose this option because they are simple and don't require clean up from glue.

Glued laminate flooring requires the application of special glue and various tools for proper installation including special glue, fillers and sealants, straps, tapping blocks, wedges and a pulling bar. It's important to carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions and use their recommended tools because these supply requirements can vary from manufacturer to manufacture

Pre-glued laminate flooring makes gluing simple by using water to activate the glue. Simply wipe the flooring with a damp sponge before setting into place. Pre-glued laminate flooring requires the same special tools for proper installation and the manufacturer's instructions must be carefully followed.

Whichever option you choose, laminate flooring is designed to be a "floating" floor, which means that the floor is not fixed or screwed to the sub-floor. By "floating", the floor can expand and contract as environmental changes occur in the bathroom.

While each manufacturer has its own installation instructions, some basic concepts apply to all installations.

Laminate flooring can be laid directly on an existing floor or concrete, as long as the existing floor is not glued or fixed to the cement. Carpeting, however, must be removed. Remember, the floating floor principle requires that the floor be able to breathe. For best results, the existing flooring should be in good condition and as level as possible.

When the floor is fit together, it's important to leave small gaps along the walls and not to lay a perfect wall-to-wall floor. Don't worry, the gaps will never be seen because they are covered with baseboard molding. The same concept should be used when flooring up to other points of contact including cabinets, toilet's closet flange (you actually remove the toilet before installing the flooring), round pipes, tub legs, etc. Be sure to leave 1/4" to 1/2" expansion gap, which will later be filled with sealant, so that the floor can remain floating.

Before installing the laminate floor itself, an underlay made of polyurethane, foam or other similar product may be required to cushion the floor, to absorb sound, and to restrict moisture from wicking up. Follow the recommendations of the laminate floor manufacturer for best results with the flooring you select. Also, check the manufacturer's warranty to ensure bathroom installation is covered. If it's not, keep searching until you find one that is.

Regardless of which laminate flooring you select -- tongue and groove, glued or pre-glued --laminates are an easy way to totally change the look of your bathroom. By following the manufacturer's instructions on how to lay laminate flooring in a bathroom, your floor should last for years.