(NAPSA)—The next time you're thinking about a newfloor, don’t be intimidated by the installation process. While installing wood is often best left to professionals, today’s wood-look laminates are far more approachable. To make the process even simpler, Sabad La Serna, installation expert with Pergo, offers insight on frequently asked questions. Q: How long does it take to install a laminate floor? A: Installing laminate in an average-sized room typically takes only two days and requires no glue, nails or professional experience, making it an excellent do-ityourself project. Additionally, laminates don’t require the lengthy prep work oftile or carpet because they can be installed directly over mostfloors. Q: How do the planks seal together tightly without glue? A: Click-together laminate floors are assembled by inserting the “tongue” of one plank into the “groove” of another and then rotating the boards downward until they “click” to form a durable, lasting seal. Advanced “click” joints create tight, moisture-resistant seams for the most secure installation possible. Q: Are certain rooms better suited than others for lami- nate flooring? A: Laminates are extremely durable and can be installed in nearly any room. The best longterm results will be achieved in a room that’s not susceptible to flooding or water leaks. Because laminate flooring is so durable and resists scratching, scuffing and fading, La Serna especially recommendsit for hightraffic areas such as kitchens, foyers and living rooms. Q: Do I need to do anything special to prepare the room before I install laminate? A: A beautiful floor starts with Offering an appealing combination of realistic designs, durability and easy installation, a laminate floor such asthis attractive oak typically can be installed over a weekend. good prep work. Laminates can be installed over any hard surface but soft surfaces such as carpet need to be removed. Also, check that the subfloor (the floor the laminate will cover) is clean, dry and level. Leave new flooring cartons at the installation site for 48 hours before installing so the laminate acclimates to the conditions of the room. This will reduce gapping caused when floors expand or shrink due to changing climates. Q: What else do I need? A: Before laying laminate planks, you'll need an underlayment to absorb sound and improve comfort. Underlayment is a soft foam layer placed directly over the subfloor. Some laminates, such as those in Pergo’s Vintage Home, Accolade and Casual Living collections, come with an attached underlayment for added convenience. A second key accessory is molding. They ease the transition between laminate floors and the surfaces they meet. Some moldings are decorative elements, adding a “finishing touch” to the edge between the floor and the wall. Others, such as T-moldings, carpet transitions and hard surface reducers, help fit the new floor to adjoining rooms. Review the layout of the room to decide which moldings are needed before getting started. You may want to con- sider Simple Solutions Four-inOne molding. It combines all these transitions and is easy to install. Q:How can I achieve the mostrealistic look? A: Plan ahead. Some laminates are available in varying lengths or widths for a more traditional look, making it even more important to sketch out the floor pattern beforehand. Q: How do you clean laminate flooring? A: Use a simple mixture of water and vinegar for deep cleaning and a broom or damp mopfor daily maintenance. Stay away from chemical-based cleaning solutions that can leave a dulling film on the floor’s surface. For more information, visit Www.pergo.com.
