Accessories you need to install laminate flooring – 2022

Every great looking wood floor needs its own accessories to complement the look and finish the floor properly, all the while performing an essential function to prolong the life of your floor. Below we discuss all the kind of accessories you need to install laminate flooring.

So you want some new laminate flooring for your house or office. You are online and you have some colors in mind that will really spice up that old floor. Turn it, from a cold ceramic or marble floor to a warm, wood looking laminate floor.

Now that you have chosen your new floor, what about the accessories? do you need any? why do you need them? is it for its aesthetic value only or something more?

Why do we need accessories for laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is made up of compressed wood particles laminated with a design film protected with a melamine layer. Read more about laminate floor plank construction here. As such, there is still a lot of wood in the laminate floor. This means we need to allow the floor to ‘breath’ after installation. Meaning your new laminate flooring will contract and expand with changes in the environment, which can be changes in the level of indoor humidity or temperature fluctuations.

With this expansion and contraction comes the need to leave expansion gaps along any fixed object around your home, for example walls, full length windows or partitions. These expansion gaps can be anywhere from 5mm to 10mm depending on the space. Your contractor will decide the amount of expansion required on a case by case basis.

As we discuss the different types of accessories available to be used with your laminate flooring, the main function of all these accessories is to cover these unseemly expansion gaps and give your floor a beautifully finished look. Appealing to the eyes as well as ensuring you floor has enough room to breath.

Underlay

First in consideration is the underlay we are going to use. Many different types of underlay are available in the market today for use with laminate flooring although one aspect remains the same through all types. This is also the most beneficial. Your underlay creates a moisture barrier between your existing floor and your new laminate flooring. Due to ambient humidity or temperature changes, moisture forms on the existing floor which can be cement or ceramic. Your underlay will protect your new laminate flooring but creating distance between your existing surface and the underside of your new floor. Read here about the different types of underlay we can use with your new laminate flooring.

Underlay also absorbs sound making your floor quieter to walk on. It can also help in smoothing out the floor if there are minor variations in the level which is usually the case.

Skirting

Skirting comes in many designs and colors – heights and thicknesses. Mostly, they are a perfect match to your floor. These accessories will cover the expansion gaps that your contractor will leave along the walls. You might have existing ceramic skirting as well that can be covered with a laminate skirting to harmonize the design aspect of your new floor.

Reducers or ‘F’ Profile

These are better known as transition profiles – also know as door bars, because that is where they are widely used. A reducer – as the name suggests, reduces the height of your flooring by covering the exposed edges of your new laminate floor. It also helps in transitioning between two floors of varying heights.

T – bars

As the name suggests, these profiles are used between two floors of the same height. Usually found separating two rooms – right under the door. these profiles also provide expansion gaps underneath and are basically an aesthetic solution to cover these gaps while providing an appealing threshold.

All of the above accessories are used to give your new laminate flooring and you, the finish it deserves. While providing essential solutions to keep your new flooring performing to your expectations for a very long time. We hope you have enjoyed reading our blog on all the types of accessories you need to install laminate flooring as much as we have writing it.

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