Isla Bennett
When installing laminate flooring, it is not recommended to nail it down to the subfloor as this can cause permanent damage. Laminate flooring is designed as a floating floor, allowing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. Nailing it down can hinder its flexibility, restrict movement, and leave unsightly marks. However, if you are installing laminate flooring on a wall, some sources suggest using a nail gun to drive brad nails or finishing nails into the groove of each plank. It is important to ensure that the nails do not stick out to avoid disrupting the installation. Before starting any installation project, it is crucial to consult the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations to ensure proper installation and avoid potential issues.
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What You'll Learn
Laminate flooring should not be nailed to the subfloor
While laminate flooring may resemble hardwood flooring, it should not be nailed to the subfloor during installation. This is because laminate flooring is designed as a floating floor, allowing it to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes.
Laminate flooring is specifically designed to be installed without the need for glue or nails, thanks to a tongue and groove locking mechanism. Nailing it down can hinder its flexibility and restrict movement, leading to permanent damage. Hammering nails into the laminate will harm the locking system, leave visible marks and uneven surfaces, and void your warranty.
The thin nature of laminate flooring makes it a must to install on a perfectly even subfloor. Before installation, the subfloor should be clean, level, and smooth. For concrete subfloors, use a patching compound to fix any issues. For wood subfloors, remove protruding nails and replace any damaged boards. If the floor is slightly uneven, use a foam or cork underlayment to create a level surface.
If you choose to use nails for securing, 18-gauge finish nails work well. However, it is important to note that this method of installation is not recommended by the manufacturer and may lead to issues down the line.
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Use finishing nails for laminate flooring
While laminate flooring resembles hardwood flooring, it should not be nailed to the subfloor during installation. This is because laminate flooring is designed as a floating floor, allowing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. Restricting this movement can lead to permanent damage. Laminate flooring is designed to be installed without nails or glue, thanks to a tongue-and-groove locking mechanism. Nails can also leave visible marks and uneven surfaces and may void your warranty.
However, if you choose to use nails for securing laminate flooring, finishing nails are recommended. These should not be large-headed nails. 18-gauge finishing nails work well and make it easy to lift the flooring. You can use a finish nail gun to shoot the nails into place.
When installing laminate flooring, it is important to leave a gap of 3/8-inch along both walls to allow for expansion. You should also wear eye and ear protection when cutting the laminate and use knee pads when laying the planks. The subfloor should be clean, level, and smooth. If needed, fix concrete subfloors with a patching compound. For slightly uneven floors, use a foam underlayment as the base for your laminate planks. If you are installing the flooring in a room with high humidity or moisture, install a vapor barrier first.
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Nails can damage the finish of the laminate
While some sources suggest that nails can be used to secure laminate flooring, it is important to recognise that this can potentially damage the finish of the laminate in several ways. Firstly, hammering nails into the laminate can harm the locking system, which is designed to be installed without nails or glue. This can also leave visible marks and create an uneven surface on the laminate flooring. In addition, nails can loosen and protrude, especially if the subfloor is uneven, causing the laminate to chip around the nail holes.
Another issue that can arise when using nails with laminate flooring is that it can restrict the movement of the flooring, which is designed to be a floating floor that can expand and contract with temperature changes. If there is not an adequate expansion gap, nailing the laminate down can lead to buckling issues. This can also occur if the baseboards are nailed to the wall with pressure on the flooring.
The use of nails can also void the warranty of the laminate flooring, which is an important consideration when deciding whether or not to use nails for installation. It is always recommended to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation to ensure proper installation and avoid any potential issues.
Furthermore, if glue is used in conjunction with nails, as is sometimes done for vinyl plank flooring on stairs, it can result in the layer of vinyl peeling back from the nail. While caulking can be applied over the nail to address this issue, it may still be visible and leave a smear that cannot be removed. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and drawbacks of using nails when installing laminate flooring to avoid any damage to the finish and overall appearance of the flooring.
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Nails can cause laminate to chip around the nail holes
While it is possible to nail down laminate flooring, it is not recommended. Laminate flooring is designed as a floating floor, allowing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. Nailing it down can hinder its flexibility and restrict movement, leading to permanent damage. The finish on laminate flooring provides structural strength to the underlying board, which is subject to splintering and cracking when penetrated. Therefore, nails can indeed cause laminate to chip around the nail holes.
If you choose to use nails, 18-gauge finish nails are recommended. These nails should be small, similar to finishing nails, and applied in places where they are not visible or can be covered by mouldings. However, even with proper nailing techniques, there is still a risk of damaging the finish of the laminate.
To avoid the potential issues associated with nailing, it is best to follow the manufacturer's recommended installation method for your laminate flooring. Most laminate flooring is designed to be installed without the need for glue or nails, utilising a tongue and groove locking mechanism. Mouldings can be used to cover expansion gaps and create a seamless look.
If you must penetrate the laminate floor surface, it is recommended to plan ahead and create a proper frame with brackets installed at the necessary points. This will reduce the number of holes drilled into the laminate surface. When drilling, use a new, sharp drill bit slightly smaller than the screw to create a smooth hole with minimal cracking. Additionally, placing masking tape on the mark will give the drill bit traction and help reduce slippage.
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Use a nail gun to drive brad nails into the groove of each plank
While laminate flooring should not be nailed to the subfloor, some installers choose to use nails to secure their laminate flooring to the wall. If you choose to do this, 18-gauge finish nails are recommended.
To use a nail gun to drive brad nails into the groove of each plank, follow these steps:
- Set up and turn on the compressor with the hose attached, allowing it to fully pressurize.
- Apply a few drops of pneumatic tool oil into the fitting on the bottom of the nail gun.
- Open the magazine by releasing a spring clip at the bottom of the magazine, which is located on the front of the gun underneath the plunger or barrel.
- Fill the magazine with 18-gauge finish nails that are 5/8 to 2 inches long.
- Place the tip of the nail gun plunger on top of the plank in the corner where the tongue or tab meets the face of the plank, with the handle of the gun running parallel to the long edge of the plank.
- Tilt the gun so that the plunger is tilted toward the wall at a 45-degree angle.
- Press the tip of the plunger firmly against the plank and hold it in this position to release the gun's safety mechanism.
- Firmly hold the gun and squeeze the trigger.
- Check that the nail has been driven in flush. If there are any protruding brads, tap them with a hammer and nail set to press them slightly below the surface.
- Drive one nail every 12 to 16 inches.
It is important to note that nailing laminate flooring to the wall may void your warranty. It is recommended to follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, laminate flooring is designed as a floating floor, allowing it to expand and contract with temperature changes. Nailing it down can hinder its flexibility, restrict movement, and leave unsightly marks on the flooring.
Nailing laminate flooring can lead to permanent damage. It will void your warranty and may cause the laminate to chip around the nail holes.
If you choose to use nails, 18 ga. finish nails work well. Make sure they are not large-headed nails.
First, allow the laminate flooring to acclimate to the room for at least two days. Next, find the wall studs and mark their location. Then, lay out and connect the planks for the first row, ensuring the final plank is at least 6" long. Finally, use adhesive caulk on the back of each plank and press them against the bottom of the wall, with the tongue side facing down. Use a nail gun to drive brad nails into the groove of each plank, ensuring the nails do not protrude.
