Lumber Liquidators

Installing Laminate

Laminate flooring is perfect for do-it-yourselfers because it’s easy to install! Here’s a quick guide to getting started with installing your new laminate floors.

 

Before you start:

Lay the flooring flat and leave it in the room it will be installed in to acclimate for at least 48 hours.

Clean the subfloor thoroughly, make sure it is completely level, and remove base moldings.

If installing over concrete, be sure it is completely cured before beginning the installation.

Next, put down a vapor or moisture barrier. Use plastic, vapor paper or underlayment, depending on the subfloor and level of your home (below grade, on grade, above grade). Consult a professional to determine which is best for your home!

Remember to account for door jambs. Place a piece of flooring against each door jamb, mark it, and then cut it so the flooring fits snuggly under the door jamb. This will give you a great professional look.

 

Now you’re ready to begin installation!

Start with the longest wall and place ½" or ¼" spacers along the wall with the first row of boards pressed firmly against them. Spacers create expansion gaps which allow the flooring to expand and contract naturally. The gaps will be covered by base molding.

For each row after the first, offset joints between six to eight inches.

Simply click the flooring together!

When you reach the last row, a plank or two might need trimming to fit. Remember to maintain expansion gaps across every edge of the room.

Finally, install base molding to cover gaps and any threshold molding to transition between rooms! 

 

For detailed instructions, check the Flooring 101 guide.

With questions, contact Tech & Installation at 800-366-4204.

 

Choosing a Saw Blade

Choosing the right saw blade for your DIY project can save you a lot of money. Here are some guidelines and tips for picking the blade that is right for the flooring you are working with.

 

Blade Anatomy

Expansion Slots- laser cuts in saw blade sides designed to dissipate heat when cutting. Also allows expansion, reducing warping.
Kerf -blade thickness
Gullets- the space cut out from blade plate between the teeth of a saw blade. The gullets provide room for chips and waste to safely exit the cut.
High-Speed Steel blades (HSS)- Less expensive, harder than steel blades and stays sharp longer.
Carbide-Tipped Blades - more expensive than steel and HSS blades, but they stay sharp much longer than steel or (HSS).
Steel blades - Basic economy, works well for cutting softwood, dulls quickly.

 

Basic Blade Styles:

1. Plywood blade- a very popular blade usually made from High-Speed Steel with 100 or more fine teeth. Recommended for clean cutting paneling, moldings and engineered floorings. $30-$40
2. Combination blade- usually made up of 80 to 100 teeth. This versatile blade cuts a variety of materials very quickly and smoothly, with a minimal amount of splintering. Recommended for cutting Laminates, hardwood the harder exotics and precision miter cutting. $30-$50
3. All-purpose steel blade- is the most commonly used blade. These blades can do a little of everything and normally have about 40 teeth, inexpensive and tends to warp quicker. $20-$30
4. Cut-off blade- is recognized by its 60 and 80 spaced teeth and 10 degrees of hook or angle. The tooth count allows for making quick rough cuts of plywood and 2x4s. Recommended for fast rough cutting. $8-$15

In the image below, each of the four blade styles are shown in order from 1-4.

 

As a general rule, the more teeth there are, the smoother the cuts. However, more teeth always means slower cutting and more load stress on the saw motor. Fewer teeth means faster cutting speed, a reduction in force required and more chance for wood tear-out or splintering.

 

The Right Saw Blade:

Carbide-tipped blades are best when cutting Laminates and harder exotics.
Quality blades can be re-edged or sharpened several times saving money.
Blades having expansion slots are designed to greatly reduce heat-warping allowing the metal to cool thereby extending the life of the blade.
There are many blade versions each designed for cutting different materials. 

 

Power Saws:

10” table saw- will complete about 90% of flooring cuts, “rips or fill-ins” around the walls.
10” – 12” miter or chop saw- quick straight cuts or mitering (crosscuts at 45 degrees)
Jigsaw- cuts special shapes

 

Getting the Most:

Dedicate one blade for Laminates, another for hardwood
Old blades can be saved and used to cut through nail heads when removing existing plywood.
Get money back from worn-out blades at your local scrap yard

 

With Laminate, it’s not the hardness of the high density fiber core (HDFC) that causes saw blades to wear down but actually the abrasion and heat from repeated cutting of the aluminum oxide micro-chips applied to the wear-layer. Interestingly the same aluminum oxide is used to make industrial grade sandpaper! In view of this, a thin kerf 80 to 100 tooth carbide-tipped blade is most effective for cutting laminates and will last for about 1000 sft before needing re-sharpened. 

With Hardwood, blade dulling is common with the denser exotics, especially prefinished aluminum oxide coated floorings.

Always cut flooring OUTSIDE! Blade sparks are common and can ignite a build-up of gas fumes. Do what the pros do. Set up a fan next to your saw to blow dust away from your body, so you’re cleaner and safer.

 

Morning Star Bamboo: Nail-Down Installation Instructions

If you’re planning to nail down your new Morning Star Bamboo floor, this guide will assist you with tips, directions and helpful hints. Remember, this isn’t all-inclusive and we highly recommend consulting a professional flooring installer on your specific installation. You can always call your local Lumber Liquidators and our Tech & Installation team at (800) 366-4204 with additional questions.  

Preparing to Install 

Natural Variations
Bamboo is a product of nature, characterized by distinct variations in grain, pattern and color which should be expected. They aren’t flaws or defects! Instead, it is the natural beauty and uniqueness of bamboo.
Stained products will have the most uniform color or shade. 

Inspection
The customer/installer is responsible for final inspection of quality and moisture testing of the subfloor and bamboo.
Boards deemed unacceptable can be used in closets, near walls or simply not used at all. Inspect the flooring often. Pieces with defects that can be seen from a standing position should be cut off. Order 5%-10% extra for board selection.
If more than 5% of the material is unusable, contact your local store or Customer Care (800-366-4204) immediately.

Acclimation
Size and shape of bamboo changes with the absorption or release of moisture. The amount of change varies with each species, cut and type of flooring.
Check the installation instructions of the product for proper temperature and humidity settings, and maintain those levels. For most products, the room should be conditioned to between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a 30%-50% humidity level.
To speed up acclimation, open the ends of the boxes.
Remove any plastic around the outside of the boxes.
Do not cut the plastic support bindings or remove from packaging until ready to install.
Cartons should be placed as close to the center of the installation area as possible.
Keep out of direct sunlight.
Keep away from heat/air vents.
Not following these instructions can impact the board performance and cause excessive movement, squeaks, gapping, cupping, and other related issues which aren’t manufacturer related, and therefore are not covered by warranty.

Moisture Testing
Most installation failures result from jobsite moisture!! Complete proper moisture tests.
Wet trade involving water or moisture (plumbing, ceramic tiles, drywall finish, painting, etc.) should be finished with ample time allowed for complete drying prior to bamboo installation.
Do not store in buildings without climate controls (garage, shed, outside, etc.)
Heating, Ventilation and/or Air Conditioning systems should be fully operating and running at least 7 days before delivery.

Subfloor Preparation
A flat surface is very important when gluing down flooring. To minimize squeaks and gaps the final surface must be flat to within ¼” in 10’ radius or 3/16” in 6’ radius (using mechanical fasteners 1½” and longer). Sand or grind down high spots. Allow extra drying time for the leveling compounds

Nailers, Staplers and Fasteners
(for board sizes 3/8”, ½”, 5/8”, 9/16”)

Pneumatic Nailer
Norge 2-in-1 Nailer/Stapler, 16 gage cleats, 1½” to 2” L
Power Nailer 445
Bostich MIIIFN

Pneumatic Stapler
Norge 2-in-1 Nailer/Stapler, 15.5 gage staples, 1½” to 2” L
Bostich MIIIFS
Power Nailer 445FS

Cleat Nailer
Powernail Flex 50m, 50p or M200, M250
Primatech Q500, Q550, 18-20 gage cleat nails ½” long

Cleat Stapler
Powernail 445FS, Bostich MIIIFS 15 gage staples ½” wide, 1½” long 

For the best nailing results, use an 18 or 20 gage Powercleat nail that is at least 1½” in length. Powercleats will perform the best as they do not fold or bend and won’t damage the tongue. The biggest benefit to using a cleat nail is that they will allow for the natural expansion and contraction of the floor as it goes through changes of seasons. Staples have too much holding power and will restrict the necessary movement of the flooring as it goes through these same changes.
Place fasteners every 10” – 12” within 3” – 4” of board ends. Use a minimum of two fasteners in every board.

Approved Underlayments

15 lb Felt Paper- do not overlap seems
White Silicon Vapor Shield 
Bellawood Premium- film side up (flooring minimum >3/8” thickness)
Eco Silent Sound HD- film side down (flooring minimum >3/8” thickness”
Dream Home Insulayment- smooth side up (flooring minimum >3/8” thickness)
Dream Home Cork- smooth side up (between 3/8” and ¼” max thickness)

 

Pre-Installation

Inspection

1. The installer is the final quality inspector.
2. Lay out each piece to visually inspect for imperfections that can be cut out, or adjustments that should be made.
3. Set aside defective boards. These can be used in hidden places such as a closet. If the defect is unacceptable, the installer should cut it out or set it aside completely.
4. Using stain, touch-up pens or filler sticks for correction during installation is normal.
5. Lumber Liquidators recommends moisture testing and the use of moisture barriers.

Test the Nailer
Tongue fracture and surface dimpling during installation is common and can be minimized by (1) Installing the flooring in proper lighting (2) using the correct nail thickness, (3) using the recommended shoe adaptor, or (4) changing the angle of nail entry. Many installers will sometimes temporarily adjust the nailer angle by applying layers of duct tape to the bottom foot plate of the nailer.
To further reduce the occurrence of surface dimpling and tongue fracture the use of flooring nailers with a thinner 18-20 gage cleat nail may be needed for the Bamboo. In addition, the use of an over-size base or foot plate to distribute the nailing force is encouraged.
If surface dimpling or tongue fracture occurs when nailing the harder Strand Bamboo, drilling pilot holes and hand nailing may be required. Gluing down bamboo is also an option to avoid board damage.
Use caution when fastening the harder exotics with Staplers. The drive bar in Staplers are wider and if fasteners are overdriven can act like a wood chisel, splitting tongues. Do not mix fasteners when nailing. Staples and cleats hold differently when mixed can result in irregular seasonal gapping and or movement. When face or top nailing, pick areas of the grain or pattern that would best hide touch-up fillers.
Forcing or pounding floor boards together with a rubber mallet during assembly may burse or damage unprotected board edges.

 

Tips
Install flooring in normal proper lighting.
Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry.
Avoid board grouping, board sizes should be intermingled.
Use breathable materials like paper when covering a newly installed floor.
The customer is advised to be home during the installation for consultation/direction.
Customer and installer should discuss installation and layout to maximize satisfaction.
Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time.
Save the item number found on the packaging box ends for future questions.
Use caution when using staples on bamboo. Staples may increase the risk for tongue fracture and surface dimples.
Do not mix fasteners when nailing. Staples and cleats hold differently and when mixed can result in irregular fastening and/or may allow excessive movement.
When face or top nailing, pre-drilling is recommended. Pick areas of the grain or pattern that would best hide touch-up fillers.
Do not use significantly bowed, crooked or twisted boards. Use a wood spline or slip tongue whenever a change in board direction is needed. Splines should be glued with PVA wood glue and nailed into place. Forcing or pounding floor boards together with a rubber mallet during assembly can bruise or damage board edges.

 

Installation Instructions

Grade:

Bamboo flooring can be glued:
Above grade
On grade

Subfloor:

Bamboo flooring can be glued to:
OSB (2/4” min)
Plywood (5/8” min)
Firm linoleum
Firm kitchen vinyl

We do not recommend bamboo for use over radiant heat flooring. For greater thermal insulation and sound isolation, the floor can be glued over an approved underlayment (see Approved Underlayments above).

Proper Board Placement
Boards with similar widths should be placed together in the same row to minimize gaps between boards.

Steps:

1. The first three rows MUST BE STRAIGHT.
2. Determine the starting wall, usually the longest or outside foundation wall. At the two opposite ends of this wall, measure out and mark on the subfloor the width of the new floor plus an expansion gap. An Expansion gap or space must be left around the perimeter and at all vertical obstructions. This space is normally the same as the thickness of the new flooring, for example; 1/2” flooring requires 1/2” expansion.
3. Keep the flooring straight, snap a chalk line on the floor connecting the two floor marks. Align the tongue side of the first row of boards on the chalk line with the groove side towards the starting wall, maintain the expansion space.
4. Pre-drill and top nail the first row of boards only. Hand nail the following rows until nailing machines can be used. Ensure that the nailing machines do not damage the pre-finished edges or surface. Nail into the tongue side not the groove side, refer to picture.
5. Complete the floor.
6. Rip-cut final row of boards to fit. If the final board row is less than 1˝ in width it should be edge-glued with PVA wood glue and fastened to the last secure row.

For best matching of sheen or milling save a box of flooring for future repairs.

 

Have more questions? Call our Tech & Installation team at 800-366-4204 for additional assistance!

Morning Star Bamboo: Glue-Down Installation Instructions

This is a guide for the glue-down installation of Morning Star Bamboo. We’ll give you tips, directions and helpful hints, but this is not all inclusive! We highly recommend you consult with a professional flooring installer on your specific installation. You can always call your local Lumber Liquidators or our Tech & Installation team at (800) 366-4204 with additional questions. We want you to love your floor forever, beginning with a proper installation! 

Preparing to Install

Natural Variations
Bamboo is a product of nature, characterized by distinct variations in grain, pattern and color which should be expected. They aren’t flaws or defects! Instead, it’s the natural beauty and uniqueness of bamboo. Stained products will have the most uniform color or shade.

 Inspection
The customer/installer is responsible for final inspection of quality and moisture testing of the subfloor and bamboo.
Boards deemed unacceptable can be used in closets, near walls or simply not used at all. Inspect the flooring often. Pieces with defects that can be seen from a standing position should be cut off. Order 5%-10% extra for board selection.
If more than 5% of the material is unusable, contact your local store or Customer Care (800-366-4204) immediately.

 Acclimation
Size and shape of bamboo changes with the absorption or release of moisture.
Check the installation instructions of your specific product for proper temperature and humidity settings, and maintain those levels. For most products, the room should be conditioned to between 60 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a 30%-50% humidity level.
To speed up acclimation, open the ends of the boxes.
Remove any plastic around the outside of the boxes.
Do not cut the plastic support bindings or remove from packaging until ready to install.
Cartons should be placed as close to the center of the installation area as possible.
Keep out of direct sunlight.
Keep away from heat/air vents.
Not following these instructions can impact the board performance and cause excessive movement, squeaks, gapping, cupping, and other related issues which aren’t manufacturer related, and therefore are not covered by warranty.

 Moisture
Most installation failures result from jobsite moisture!! Complete proper moisture tests.
Wet trade involving water or moisture (plumbing, ceramic tiles, drywall finish, painting, etc.) should be finished with ample time allowed for complete drying prior to bamboo installation.
Do not store in buildings without climate controls (garage, shed, outside, etc.)
Heating, Ventilation and/or Air Conditioning systems should be fully operating and running at least 7 days before delivery.

Subfloor Preparation
Concrete must be between 60 to 90 days old prior to installation and free of surface sealers or contaminates.
A flat surface is very important when gluing down flooring. To minimize squeaks and gaps the final surface must be flat to within 1/8" in 6’ radius or within 3/16” in 10’ radius. Sand or grind down high spots. Fill valleys or low areas with cement based leveling compounds compatible with the flooring adhesives. Allow extra drying time for the leveling compounds.

Recommended Adhesives

Mapei
Mapei 2-in-1 Moisture Control & Adhesive 
Mapei ECO 980 Adhesive

Bostik
Bostik Seal-n-Grip 
Bostik DuraGrip 
Bostik’s Best Adhesive 
Bostik Moisture Barrier   

CAUTION
Cured adhesive may cloud, chemically damage, or etch the floor’s finish. Clean wet adhesive from the surface of the floor frequently using the manufacturer’s recommended remover. Use clean towels, changing frequently to prevent haze and residue. Contact the adhesive manufacturer for dried adhesive removal remedies.

Approved Underlayments
Bellawood Premium- film side up 
Eco Silent Sound HD- film side down 
Dream Home Insulayment- smooth side up
Dream Home Cork- smooth side up 

Allow underlayment to fully cure before gluing bamboo to the underlayment.

 

Pre-Installation

Inspection

1. The installer is the final quality inspector.
2. Lay out each piece to visually inspect for imperfections that can be cut out, or adjustments that should be made.
3. Set aside defective boards. These can be used in hidden places such as a closet. If the defect is unacceptable, the installer should cut it out or set it aside completely.
4. Using stain, touch-up pens or filler sticks for correction during installation is normal.
5. Lumber Liquidators recommends moisture testing, the use of moisture barriers and the use of approved wood flooring adhesives listed above (see Recommended Adhesives).
6. Do not mix adhesive products. Use moisture barriers and adhesives from the same manufacturer.
7. Use the trowel size recommended by the adhesive manufacturer. Use a new trowel with each new container of adhesive (trowel teeth will wear down with constant use).
8. Follow glue manufacturer’s instructions for set time.

 

Tips

 Install flooring in normal proper lighting.
Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry.
Avoid board grouping. Board sizes should be intermingled.
Use breathable materials like paper when covering a newly installed floor.
The customer is advised to be home during the installation for consultation/direction.
Customer and installer should discuss installation and layout to maximize satisfaction.
Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time.
Save the item number found on the packaging box ends for future questions.
Use Blue Painter’s Tape to keep installed rows or sections together until the adhesive has cured. Tape together 4 or 5 rows at 18” intervals. (Incorrect tape can harm the finish).

 

Installation Instructions

Grade:

Bamboo flooring can be glued:
Above grade
On grade 

Subfloor:

Bamboo flooring can be glued to:
Concrete
Plywood
Firm linoleum
Firm kitchen vinyl
Steel
Ceramic/Marble

We do not recommend bamboo for use over radiant heat flooring. For greater thermal insulation and sound isolation, the floor can be glued over an approved underlayment (see Approved Underlayments above).

Proper Board Placement

Boards with similar widths should be placed together in the same row to minimize gaps between boards.

Steps:

1. Determine the starting wall, usually the longest foundation wall. At the two opposite ends of this wall, measure out and mark on the floor the width of several rows of boards, (this could be 12”to 24”) including the expansion gap.
2. The expansion gap is normally the same as the thickness of the new flooring, for example, ½” flooring requires ½” expansions.
3.  Next, use a chalk line to connect the two marks. Follow this chalked line when applying both the adhesive and boards. THE FIRST ROWS MUST BE STRAIGHT.
4. Using an approved trowel and wood flooring adhesive, glue the first few rows between the wall and chalk line.
5. First row only. Using a table saw remove the tongue part, then place the tongue side towards the wall with groove side facing outwards. Lay flooring into the adhesive following the straight line. Stay off the new floor while working.
6. Progressively lay-in the next boards by engaging the tongue and groove then drop board into adhesive. Avoid dragging or sliding boards together as this can trap or squeeze glue up in between the boards creating gaps. Continue working 4 or 5 rows together, then measure and cut the last boards as needed to complete the rows.
7. The balance of a board cut is used to start a new row, discard lengths under 6”. Avoid clustering of end joints. Stagger the ends of the boards correctly. Smaller boards should be intermixed throughout the installed floor. A tapping block can be used to gently tap the boards into proper position. During installation, end gaps between boards can be minimized by temporarily locking a completed row in place by using spacers placed between the wall and the last board of each row, remove when glue has dried.
8. Repeat the process. Chalk new lines, spread adhesive and continue working 4 or 5 rows together until completed.

The last rows:

1. Most often, the entire length of the last row will need to be trimmed so that it is narrow enough to fit the remaining space. It should be glued and wedged into place. Leave all spacers in the expansion space until the adhesive has cured, then remove. Keep the floor free from foot traffic, until adhesive has cured.
2. Do not to spread adhesive too far ahead of your work area. If the adhesive skins over and fails to transfer, remove and spread new adhesive to achieve proper bonding to the subfloor.
3. Occasionally lift a board and check for adhesive transfer. Adequate adhesive transfer is necessary to ensure sufficient holding strength.
4. When not in use, keep the adhesive container tightly closed to prevent drying and difficulty in spreading the adhesive. Proper ventilation within the room should be provided. Follow the recommendations on the adhesive container.
5. After installation, allow glue to fully cure for 24 hrs before replacing furniture and foot traffic.
6. For best matching of sheen or milling save a box of flooring for future repairs.

 

Have more questions? Call our Tech & Installation team at 800-366-4204 for additional assistance!

Understanding Underlayment

Underlayment can give you a more comfortable room, minimize airborne sound transmissions between floors, and even keep the floor warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. We have several underlayment products to choose from, so which one is right for you?

Eco-Silent Sound HD Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 34” x 141’ x .078”
Flooring Applications: floating, glue-down, nail-down
Flooring Type: Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl

Benefits:
Helps eliminate minor subfloor imperfections
Helps reduce floor noise by providing excellent sound absorption
Adds a thermal value
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Made with 100% post consumer recycled granulated rubber tires and polyurethane foam

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/14p7jRb

 

Bellawood Premium Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.11”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, glue-down
Flooring Type: Clic Vinyl, Engineered Hardwood, Laminate (floating)

Benefits:
Great acoustic benefits
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Can be used over most industry-approved subfloors
The vapor barrier is specifically designed for optimal bond with adhesives and helps seal around mechanical fasteners in nail-down applications.

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/WsQjLG

 

Dream Home Insulayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.11”
Flooring Applications: glue-down, nail-down, floating
Flooring Type: Solid Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound reduction
Helps keep flooring warm in the winter and cool in the summer
Cushions flooring
Has an antimicrobial structure
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Made with 100% recycled fiber

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/WsTgvQ

 

Dream Home Quiet Walk Underlayment
Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 3’ x 33.4’ x 0.125”
Flooring Applications: floating
Flooring Type: Laminate, Hardwood

Benefits:
Helps smooth out minor subfloor imperfections
Excellent sound reduction
Adds a thermal value
Can be used with radiant heat flooring
Has a moisture barrier with increased strength
Has an antimicrobial composition and attached vapor barrier
Made from recycled materials
QuietWalk® filaments are randomly air-laid creating a capillary affect to cushion the floor and absorb sound. When properly installed, QuietWalk can wick sub-floor or incidental perimeter moisture and disperse it through the pad. 

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/10a5XwJ

 

Elastilon Self Adhesive Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 107.64
Roll Size: 3.281’ x 32.81’ x 1/8”
Flooring Applications: floating
Flooring Type: Solid Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound reduction qualities
Great thermal characteristics
Can be used with under floor heating systems
Resists mildew, mold and bacteria
Permanently elastic underlay that can be installed 50% to 70% faster…no more glue or nails!

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/XQLlXo

 

Dream Home 6mm Cork Underlayment Sheet

Square Feet per Roll: 150
Roll Size: 2’ x 3’ x ¼”
Flooring Applications: glue-down, nail-down, floating
Flooring Type: Hardwood

Benefits:
Excellent sound and insulation qualities
Cork is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and mildew
Perfect as an isolation barrier to dampen impact noise between floor levels
Ideal for condominiums and building associations requiring sound control before allowing the installation of a hard surface floor

Installation Instructions: http://bit.ly/VAlraT

 

Dream Home Foam Underlayment

Square Feet per Roll: 100
Roll Size: 4’ x 25’ x 1/16”
Flooring Applications: Laminate with pre-attached pad, floating Engineered Hardwood

Benefits:
Helps even imperfections in the sub-floor
Helps muffle sound
Comes with adhesive tape for seams

Installation Instructions: Use with 6 mil poly moisture barrier when installing over concrete substrates. Heavier floating floors perform best applied over heavier, denser underlayments offering better support to the locking system.

 

Dream Home 6mil Poly Sheeting

Square Feet per Roll: 300
Roll Size: 10’ x 30’ x 0.006”
Flooring Applications: floating over concrete
Flooring Type: Laminate, Engineered Hardwood, Vinyl (installed on a slab)

Benefits:
Impermeable moisture barrier guaranteed to prevent moisture from getting to your new floor from the substrate when installed over concrete slabs

Installation Instructions: For best moisture protection, overlap seams 6-8”, tape seams well with duct tape or an aggressive plastic tape. Allow the vapor barrier to run up the walls 3-4”. The excess can be trimmed once the installation is complete. Do not use over wood subfloors!

 

15 lb Felt Paper

Square Feet per Roll: 432
Roll Size: 3’ x 141’ x 0.024”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, staple, floating
Flooring Type: Recommended to use over crawl spaces, basements, garages

Benefits:
Slows down the natural upward moisture vapor transmission
Can be used in layers to build up differences in subfloor irregularities

 

White Silicone Vapor Paper

Square Feet per Roll: 400
Roll Size: 34” x 141’ x 0.006”
Flooring Applications: nail-down, staple, floating over wood subfloors
Flooring Type: recommended to use over crawl spaces, basements, garages

Benefits:
Can be used in layers to build up differences in subfloor imperfections
Reduces squeaking
Slows down natural upward moisture vapor transmission
Made from 100% recycled paper
Best choice over radiant heat systems 

Feel Like a Pro with Click-Together Floors

Combine beauty with easy click installation. We offer a variety of floors with a simple click-together design so whether you’re a seasoned pro or a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll have a new floor in no time. Choose from vinyl, handscraped hardwood, engineered hardwood and even bamboo!

Vinyl Wood Plank Click Flooring

These planks offer a natural looking grain and are extremely water-resistant. Better yet, installation is a breeze. All you do is peel-and-stick or click them together and you’re done!

Tranquility Click Vinyl is produced from recycled materials. These highly durable flooring planks come in realistic wood and tile looks, are water-resistant, and install with ease.

Shenandoah Mountain American Cherry Resilient Vinyl

 
This customer listed easy click together installation as a pro, and said: “We love the look and feel of this floor. We installed in an un- heated Cabin and the floor is "cozy" under bare feet!”

  “We used this product on our porch and so far it looks great. Easy to install if the sub floor is prepped correctly.”

 

Handscraped Easy Click Hardwood 

The cherished, time-honored tradition of handcrafting is joined with the benefits of modern engineering and prefinishing, creating a floor without peer. Each plank of flooring is sculpted to create a rustic, antique appeal along with old-world charm.

Virginia Mill Works Richmond Plank Easy Click Handscraped Hardwood

“It was really easy to install...”

 

“This product was easy to install with barely any waste. My husband and I did it ourselves. The color is absolutely beautiful. We love the wide plank and the distressed look!”

 

Engineered Quick Clic Hardwood

SCHÖN Quick Clic Engineered Flooring is an excellent way to get the beauty and sophistication of hardwood floors with ease and simplicity. This Quick Click floor requires no nailing or gluing - just click it together and enjoy.

Schon Quick Clic Engineered Acacia

“I read all the reviews on this floor before I bought it. The pictures are what really convinced me. The floor is nothing short of gorgeous. It goes down beautifully. We've had so many people comment on how much they love it. We love it too!”

 

Strand Bamboo Click Flooring

Morning Star Strand Bamboo is one of the best bamboo floors on the market today. Strand bamboo is twice as hard as oak, making it optimal for busy homes. In addition, bamboo is an ecologically friendly product. Plus there’s the easy floating click-together installation; just click it together and you’re done!

Morning Star Clic Strand Carbonized Bamboo

“Our house is on a concrete slab, therefore we floated this floor and used the Eco Silent Sound Underlayment for our vapor barrier. This bamboo is beautiful, great quality, and easy to install. When I say easy, I've never installed any type of floor ever and I found this so simple to do. I layed 600 sq. ft in 2 days.”

You can have Vinyl, Handscraped Hardwood, Engineered Hardwood and Bamboo products with a simple, click-together design that will make you feel like an installation pro! ALL click floors are on sale until Monday, 3/18!

The 5 Steps to Hardwood: Step Four

Once you've considered the investment of hardwood, done your research about different options, and planned out your new floors, you'll get to see your vision come to life off the screen and in your home. The next piece in the Steps to Hardwood puzzle is
Step Four - Installing Your Floor

 

Once you purchase your new floor, how will it be installed? Will you do it yourself or use a professional installer?

For the do-it-yourselfer:
If you have questions, ask associates in the store! They know what they're talking about and are always happy to help. You can also ask questions on our website: 

...or read questions other customers had and see the answers our installation pros gave: 

 

Always check out installation instructions we offer online for additional tips, or send an email to our in-house installers with your questions or concerns. 

If you need assistance immediately, use the online chat feature on our website to instantly connect with our installation team!  They can help you before you begin installation and during the process. If you run into problems while you're installing, stop and get help.

How To videos are also useful. Find them on our YouTube account: www.youtube.com/user/lumberliquidators and on our website!

To make your jounrey to hardwood floors even easier, you can now find the tools you need in your local store or online! Browse the tools we offer to make Lumber Liquidators your one stop shop. 

Installing flooring isn't for everyone, so if you aren't into DIY we can recommend installers to do the job for you. We want you to love your floors as much as you did when you first decided to purchase hardwood!

What Kind of Solid Hardwoods Can I Install on Concrete?

Have you considered new hardwood floors but are unsure if you can do real hardwood over your concrete subfloor? Not to worry, we're here to help understand what you can use.

 

If moisture conditions are acceptable, there are three types of wood products available for placement over concrete; An engineered glue down, an engineered floating floor or solid wood under 3/4" thick can be used.

  

Several adhesive manufacturers warrant solid 3/4"wood installations, those that do require the use of shorts or board lengths under 36" such as our Virginia Millworks. These should only be installed on or above-grade. Lumber Liquidators recommends 100% urethane flooring adhesives and moisture barriers. Some styles of engineered wood such as the Schon product can be edge-glued and floated over padding. Floating floors are also available in a glueless click-together style.

 

The more traditional ¾" solid hardwoods on concrete can be accomplished with the addition of a *plywood sub-floor used as a nailing base over the concrete.  However, this can raise floor height problems with door entries and thresholds. Engineered hardwood floors eliminate vertical height issues and can be re-finished twice.

 

*See our "Flooring 101" for these details.

If moisture conditions are acceptable, there are three types of wood products available for placement over concrete; An engineered glue down, an engineered floating floor or solid wood under 3/4" thick can be used.

Schon Quick Clic Engineered Acacia Hardwood Flooring from Lumber Liquidators

Want to hear from our customers?  Well, you're in luck!

Catching up with Brad and Jen in New Prague, Minnesota after their installation of Schon Quick Clic Acacia flooring from Lumber Liquidators.

We caught up with real Lumber Liquidators' customers who volunteered to discuss their floor shopping, buying and installation experiences. In no way did these customers receive compensation for their kind words. (They're speaking straight from the heart.)

Check out our huge Engineered Hardwood Flooring selection at www.lumberliquidators.com!

 

What is a Floating Floor?

When you hear about different installation methods, the two most common that you probably hear are glue down and nail down.  Nail down is often used for 3/4" hardwood over a wooden subfloor.  Glue down is great for a product that has a thinner profile or for being applied over cement (but don't forget the moisture barrier!)

The other type of installation method is a floating floor.  Not sure what a floating floor exactly is?  Well, a floating floors generally click or snap together and float above the sub-floor instead of being nailed or glued into place.  Floating wood floors make an excellent choice over radiant heat, concrete, linoleum, and hard to remove or correct surfaces.

Not all floating floors click together, however.  Some floating floors require a tongue & groove adhesive so that they will stay together after you have installed and won't shift. When choosing your floor, check with your local staff so they can help you understand which products click together and which will need to be glued.

Floating floors are great because if they are the click variety, they can be pulled up an used somewhere else.  All of Lumber Liquidators laminate floors, many of vinyl wood plank flooring, and most of our engineered hardwood floors can be used as floating floors. 

If you are unsure whether a floating floor is right for you, either speak with the staff at your local Lumber Liquidators or contact our Tech & Install department at 1-800-366-4204 to help decide what is best for your application and project.  They're more than happy to help and if you want to tackle the project yourself, they'll help you with tips & tricks to laying your own floor beautifully.