What is the best way to lay a laminate - along or across?

In advertising, you can increasingly see that the installation of flooring does not cause any difficulties even for a beginner. If you just follow clear instructions, then the result is likely to satisfy you and your loved ones. But the question arises: what is the best way to lay a laminate - along or across? In fact, there are countless nuances of this process, which we will talk about today.

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Getting ready for laying

You already thought: what is the best way to lay a laminate? Not so fast. First you need to make sure that the coating is completely ready for installation.

Important! The surface on which the laminate will be laid should not have any recesses or irregularities, because the presence of such will lead to a discrepancy in the connecting locks of the lamella.

The next step is laying the substrate. It will help smooth out small irregularities, keep warm and provide sound insulation. The backing will be a good shock absorber, which will save you from creaking while walking. Material and thickness are selected depending on the class of laminate itself:

• polyethylene foam is suitable for an inexpensive coating;
• for the prestigious - a composite substrate or expanded polystyrene, cork.

Important! The substrate must be spread over the entire floor area. And all connections should be glued with tape.

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What depends on the laying direction?

First, let's figure out the types of laying directions:

1. Along.
2. Across.
3. Diagonally.

The first two are usually combined into a group - direct styling. With diagonal mounting, everything is more complicated. This installation method is more expensive, and the process is more time-consuming, but such a choice may be the best solution if the first two methods are not suitable for some reason.

The visual perception of the room most often depends on the laying direction, so one of the selection criteria is the expected result, we will talk about this below.

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What is the best way to lay a laminate - along or across?

So we come to the most interesting moment. Not everything is as simple as it might seem, let's look at a few cases.

Mounting along the line of light

This is the most common way. It requires the least time, knowledge and resources, and is, in fact, “classical”. If you want the seams between the lamellas not to be visible, then this is your choice. It is this direction that will bring every chance to create the desired interior.

Installation across the line of light

This option is considered less “professional”, but has its advantages. Setting across the line of light creates a visual effect of "latitude", so this method is practiced in long corridors and rooms. But do not forget that this is a time-consuming process, because due to cutting boards you will lose more time.

Diagonal mounting

This coating method is used to make the room “interesting”. In other words, this is a special design technique that can “dilute” a boring interior and visually change the geometry of a room.

Important! This method has several disadvantages:

• Joints are quickly erased;
• Be prepared for high material consumption;
• Have to buy special chemicals for cleaning and care.

This type of installation has the most opponents, but this does not lose its popularity.

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Laminate Laying Tools

Manufacturers are advised to acquire special tools, but you can get by with standard tools:

• Electric jigsaw or hacksaw;
• Pencil;
• Mallet;
• Square;
• Roulette;
• Level;
• A die or bar for tamping panels;
• Assembly crowbar.

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Panel Clutch Options

When laying the floor yourself, you will have to solve not only the question of how to lay the laminate - along or across, but also how to fasten the individual elements of the coating. There are two types of lamella clutch locks, which will now be discussed.

Click locks

The lamels are fastened using collapsible locks, which are durable and high resistance to any impact. Such a system is very simple and lasts for a long time.

Important! The gap of such panels is practically invisible, but it is advised to install them parallel to the light source.

LOCK LOCKS

Traction of lamellas is provided by means of special grooves on the plates. Again, it is worth focusing on the light source and installing along the propagation of the rays of the sun.

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What difficulties may arise?

If the work is carried out without haste, well thought out before everything, then there should not be any special difficulties. But it often happens that due to the loose joint of the lamellas, moisture can get under the laying and cause a number of problems. Therefore, it is worth considering all the nuances and making sure that the surface does not have irregularities.

It is worth paying attention to some things before installation:

• Make sure once again that the subfloor is even;
• Choose only quality material;
• Always use a lining;
• Watch the temperature;
• Follow manufacturer's directions;
• Carefully inspect each board for defects.

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Layout schemes and features

First, consider the list of stacking schemes:

• Herringbone - the location of the laminate planks at an angle of 45 °;
• Asymmetry - disordered (chaotic) installation of panels;
• Labyrinth - the formation of a variety of drawings from the components;
• Braid - shift to the width of the bar;
• Deck - offset by a third from the previous row.

Features

It should be understood that there are no specific styling features, and the choice should be based on individual preferences. For convenience, we classify the styling features:

• In shape and size. Lamels are produced not only in the form of boards, you can find square and rectangular planks.
• By type of foundation. It is best to mount on a well-dried and even concrete floor.

Important! When mounting over wood, panels should be laid perpendicular to the direction of the boards.

• By design. Everything here tastes and color - today you can find thousands of design solutions that fit into the interior that interests you.

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Stock footage

All this knowledge is enough to become a “master" of laying laminate flooring. Now you can easily create the perfect room interior without loss to yourself and your nerves. Feel free for the cause! Remember that everything is in your hands!