Laminate Flooring Tools
The Right Laminate Flooring Tools for the Right Job
Having the right tool for the right job, increases the efficiency by which you can complete your work. You should not use a jackhammer to do the work of a hand-drill. You should not use a hammer to do the work of a sledgehammer. You should not use a calculator to do the work of a computer. Likewise, when installing laminate flooring, using the proper laminate flooring tools will ensure that the floor is installed quickly and properly.
Varying from hardwood, laminate flooring will not dent, tarnish, or lighten. Furthermore, it is more water and scratch resistant. If you intend to install your own laminate flooring, make sure to secure the proper tools before you begin.
Back To the Basics
The majority of the tools required for installing laminate flooring are fairly elementary. In fact, you probably own the majority of them. However the ones that you lack can be purchased at a hardware store in your area. You should contemplate renting the most expensive laminate flooring tools, as they will not be needed much in your work.
Some of the required laminate flooring tools are specialized, such as the tapping clamps and blocks. They can be rented or purchased from a flooring dealer.
Leave It To A Pro
Furthermore, to replace planks that are severely damaged, you will require additional tools. This task can become fairly awkward, so it would be prudent to hire a trained installer.
Preparation Tools include:
Ball-peen hammer Huge, heavy hammer for striking cold chisel
Belt Sander Smoothing out the wood subfloor
Carpenter's Level Assess the subfloor for level and low/high spots
Cold Chisel: Functions as a wedge to hoist up an old wood floor
Fat-head screwdriver Jammed below show moldings to loosen them
Floor scraper Strips deposits from subfloor
Jamb Saw Cuts door trim and door jam
Pry Bar: Stripping off molding and other trim
Putty knife (large) Preparation work
Trowel Levels out levelling compound
Next, the Installation Tools, another type of laminate flooring tools, include:
Backsaw & Miter Box Cutting angles
Caulking Gun Adding silicone caulk
China Marker Mark holes and etch lines
Circular Saw Making straight cuts
Claw Hammer Attaching show moldings
Combination Square Measure and mark cuts on planks
Compass Outline along the wall
Coping Saw Cutting coping joints
Electric Drill Drilling openings
Flexi-curve Form around objects shaped oddly
Hacksaw Cutting metal track
Nail Set Counter sink nail heads in shoe molding
Phillips-head screwdriver
Plastic Putty Knife Apply putty
Power Miter Saw Makes angled cuts on trim easier
Saber Saw Cutting arcs
Tape Measure Make precise measurements
Utility Knife For cutting underlayment
The right tool for the right job will make our work easier and more productive. Likewise, using the proper laminate flooring tools will assure that we can install the floor quickly and well.
| About The Author Kerry Gibbs is an interior designer in Phoenix, Arizona. Check out these great Laminate Flooring articles and resources or more specific Laminate Flooring Tools advice. This article may be reproduced as long as the author is kept intact including the hyperlinks. |