Can laminate flooring be laid on top of laminate flooring? Fundamentals of technology and important nuances
If you find out whether it is possible to lay the laminate on the laminate, it will be easier to select the right materials and perform work operations. We will have to clarify not only the main parameters of technological processes, but also essential details. It will be useful to compare several different methods in order to choose the option that is best suited for a particular object and conditions of future operation.
The correct application of quality laminate will help create a flawless flooring
The content of the article
- 1 What are these types of repairs used for and proper preparation
- 2 Can laminate flooring be laid on top of laminate flooring?
- 3 Laminate calculator
- 4 Can laminate flooring be laid on wooden floors?
- 5 Inexpensive techniques: is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum?
- 6 Can laminate flooring be varnished or painted? Simple renovation and its features
- 7 Conclusions and recommendations
- 8 Video: how to properly lay the laminate
What are these types of repairs used for and proper preparation
Experienced experts say that there are no significant restrictions on the implementation of this plan. But we must carefully evaluate the feasibility of such a solution before considering the question of whether it is possible to put the laminate on the old laminate:
- Creating a new layer on such a covering will reduce the volume of the room. The difference in ceiling heights will be imperceptible if initially it is more than three meters.
- Laying will be of high quality only on a flat surface. If there are level differences of more than 2 mm in an area of 1-1.25 square meters, then additional work will be needed to eliminate these defects.
- At the base under the laminate, it is impossible to leave mold spots, other foci of damage by microorganisms. Over time, these colonies will cause structural damage to materials. In accordance with hygienic and sanitary standards, their presence in residential and office premises is unacceptable.
With large irregularities, you will have to completely remove the old layer and create a new base.
But it must be emphasized that such a modernization has the following advantages:
- Standard elements are installed quickly and accurately, even if the person has no previous experience.
- Modern laminate well protected from moisture, ultraviolet curing, abrasion, and other external influences. Therefore, the coating will be durable.
- In addition to aesthetics, upon completion of the work, the insulation parameters of the room will improve.This will increase its energy efficiency, which can be taken into account for long-term calculation of the project's economic indicators.
Useful advice! If it is necessary to significantly increase the protection against noise, changes in the outside temperature, insulation should be installed on the ceiling and walls. If the laminate flooring is double laid, no additional layer is required.
When laid on top of an old coating, the thermal insulation characteristics of the floor are improved.
Can laminate flooring be laid on top of laminate flooring?
After completing the preliminary analysis, the criteria are determined by which consumables will be purchased. Appearance should be left out of the scope of discussion, since wood patterns and shades are chosen taking into account individual tastes and design compatibility.
Decisions on the quantity will have to be made not only depending on the area and configuration of the room. The styling technique is essential. Experts advise placing individual elements perpendicular to the windows. This will allow light to hit along the long seams, so bumps and shadows are less noticeable. However, the question here is whether it is possible to lay laminate on laminate. In this case, the layers are installed transversely. This technique is used to compensate for the distortion of the shape of products with changes in humidity and temperature.
This contradiction can be resolved by applying diagonal packing. It is more difficult to make it neatly, since you will have to carefully cut the ends at the right angle. Accordingly, the consumption of materials will increase (the difference will be from 10% to 20%). On the other hand, the original appearance will be a reward for the effort spent.
Calculator for calculating the amount of laminate flooring for different installation methods
If this solution is not suitable, standard technology is used. The transverse placement of old and new cover panels is mandatory. Working operations are performed according to the following algorithm:
- You can do the styling scheme yourself, or contact the responsible store employee. With the help of specialized software, using the technical data of the room, he will make the corresponding drawing. They try to make sure that the minimum lengths are more than 25-30 cm.
It is easier to calculate the laying pattern using a specialized program.
- After delivery, the new material is released from its airtight packaging and left indoors for 2-3 days to acclimatize to certain conditions of humidity and temperature.
For long-term storage, do not remove the original packaging
- Before performing installation operations, the products are sorted by color if there are significant differences in shades.
In some situations, prior separation by appearance is not required
- When laying parallel to the walls, in rare cases the last row will exactly match the dimensions of the room. It is made up of elements sawn alongside.
It is easier to cut the plank straight using a power tool
- The old laminate is cleaned of dirt. To eliminate the smallest specks, use washing vacuum cleaner, wet cleaning. After drying, a substrate is placed on it.
Installation of the underlay eliminates minor irregularities and improves the insulation parameters of the floor covering
- New elements are laid with a shift of at least 30% of the length of one panel.
Panels are installed offset, using a wooden plank to prevent edge damage
- Leave a special gap along the walls so that when the floor covering expands with an increase in humidity, its end parts are not damaged. Its width is calculated taking into account the compensation distance of 1.5-2 mm for each square meter. area.
After installation, the expansion gap is covered with a baseboard
Related article:
Laying laminate on a concrete floor with a backing. In a separate publication, we will tell you how to properly perform installation on a concrete base.
Can laminate flooring be laid on wooden floors?
This technique is not much different from the option discussed above. A base is used here, subject to the same influences. Therefore, before repairing, carefully check the condition of the old coating. If necessary, replace defective floor areas, impregnate the boards with antiseptics and other protective compounds.
Useful advice!When choosing an impregnation, pay attention to products designed for indoor use. They do not worsen the atmosphere in the rooms.
Long-lasting interior protective agent
Wooden floors are leveled. With a continuous arrangement of boards, the laminate is laid in the transverse or diagonal direction. If there are logs in the structure, they are covered with a layer of thick plywood... The rest of the actions are performed by analogy with the previously described technology.
Leveling the wood floor by scraping
Inexpensive techniques: is it possible to lay laminate on linoleum?
At first glance, this technique raises doubts. Take your time to make hasty decisions. To find out if laminate flooring can be laid on linoleum flooring, you need to check its condition. First of all, find out the evenness of the surface and its compliance with the specified criteria. Make sure the old layer is securely attached. Old types of such materials are designed for a limited service life, no more than 10-15 years. It is possible that the wear is too great, or a fungus has appeared inside.
It is easier to implement such a project in a new building if a high-quality modern floor covering is well installed. In this case, it will act as an additional insulating layer. But experts recommend to additionally cover the linoleum with a standard substrate, and mount the laminate on top.
Correctly installed modern linoleum can not be dismantled before laying the laminate
Can laminate flooring be varnished or painted? Simple renovation and its features
This technique assumes a relatively good condition of the existing coating. To find out if the laminate can be painted, a preliminary check must be done. Remove scratches by grinding. Large chips and cracks are filled with putty for wooden products. After priming, paint is applied, the required number of layers of varnish. The use of specific finishing materials is described in detail in the respective manufacturer's instructions. Experienced craftsmen advise using compositions based on acrylic, or others designed for such work and designed for appropriate external influences.
The floor must be cleaned before painting
Conclusions and recommendations
This article discusses whether it is possible to lay laminate on laminate flooring and explored alternative technologies. The choice of the appropriate option depends on the real state of the available coverage, financial capabilities, professional skills. Some technologies are not difficult to master on your own based on the instructions provided. Their correct observance will help to eliminate errors, to implement the intended tasks with a reasonable investment of time and money.
Correct installation of high-quality laminate is an excellent aesthetic and functional parameters of the floor covering
Video: how to properly lay the laminate
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