Where Not to Install Laminate Flooring. Many experts will tell you to avoid laminate flooring installations in areas prone to moisture like bathrooms, laundry rooms, saunas, enclosed porches, and anywhere that may require wet mopping.
As long as you address the overriding concern of moisture, you can install laminate flooring in the kitchen. If you want to eliminate worries about moisture, install sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl plank (LVP).
Laminate flooring should not be installed under fixed cabinets. Floating cabinets such as kitchen islands can sit on top of laminate flooring. Structurally, it is not the proper way to install fixed cabinets. It's not okay to install them over a floating floor.
The direction of your flooring boards has a huge impact on a room's overall appearance and can be a tough nut to crack. As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance.
Laminate flooring manufacturers often require their floors to be staggered anywhere between 6 to 12 inches, some manufacturers even want more.
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.
Putting a refrigerator on a floating floor is a little risky but not impossible. As much as possible, ensure that the floor does not come in direct contact with the walls or cabinets in the kitchen so that it has plenty of room to shift in any direction without creating problematic lumps.
When installing laminate flooring in kitchens that have a refrigerator, many professionals lay the flooring up to the outer edges of the refrigerator alcove. The refrigerator is then rolled onto the new flooring and the laminate installed in the alcove.
One of the most common issues is how the floor can warp and shrink when it's placed under the oven. Making laminate flooring more heat-resistant is a great way to make it last longer. Laminate flooring is not as heat-resistant as other flooring, such as hardwood or tile, so you need to be careful when using your oven.
Vinyl stands up the best against excess moisture and spills, and it can be less expensive than laminate. However, laminate gives a more realistic wood look to enhance the design aesthetic in your home.
Laminate may not be the best idea for the kitchen because: Laminate is susceptible to moisture damage. While laminate floors are water-resistant, they aren't completely waterproof. If moisture sits on top of laminate for an extended period, the damp can result in warping and staining.
In most cases, you should lay your laminate flooring parallel to the longest side of the room or your home. This will create a more natural flow and will accentuate the length of the room better. This, however, is just one of the many ways to lay your laminate flooring.
Generally, flooring contractors prefer that the cabinets go in first so that there is less possibility of the floor getting scratched. Cabinet installers like the floor to be in place so that the cutting and dust from the floor installation will not damage the vanity.
If you're installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should install the laminate flooring first so it's under the sink and toilet. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room.
Re: Laminate flooring in kitchen & under appliances
Yes,laminate is a" floating" floor type so it should defiantly go in after the cabinets. I see no reason to not install it in the kitchen and would continue it under the appliances as well.
They tell you not to install any floating floors under appliances only because you are tacking them down by weight and they could possibly fail to expand in any 2D direction if you lay the planks down with appliances on both ends, so they may tent.
In terms of practicality, vinyl is the best option. It's built to withstand a high level of wear and tear and any spills can quickly be wiped up without the worry of water damage. Waterproof laminate – If you want something a little more luxurious, waterproof laminate flooring is a great choice.
Then you can secure both kitchen cabinets and your kitchen island directly onto the new floor using either nails or adhesive. However, if you are going to install floating wood floors as part of your renovation project, just install the panels around the cabinetry.
While refrigerators and stoves can be removed easily to install the flooring, the same cannot be said for kitchens with a dishwasher. However, it is possible to install laminate flooring under a dishwasher without completely disconnecting it.
Pulling or dragging a heavy appliance like a refrigerator, freezer, or washing machine can quickly damage a floating floor like vinyl plank flooring. The heavy weight of these appliances may cause some planks to warp or lift up. Even worse, the appliance may scratch or dent your newly installed floors.
You can easily lay DIY laminate floors in almost every room in your home, including kitchens, since it doesn't have to be glued down and doesn't involve grout or mortar. Planks can be cut with a hand saw, circular saw or flooring cutter, so you don't need many tools.
Choose the Best Possible Direction:
The best direction is based on the shape of your house. There is no right direction, but the more accepted rule is that the floor direction should run parallel to the longer walls, but long hallways are exempt from this rule.
The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.