If you’re in the process of choosing a new flooring material for your commercial space, laminate is an excellent choice. Its durability, ease of maintenance, and wide range of style options make it suitable for many different settings. However, you may want to take into account the special considerations that come with installing laminate in a commercial setting. These factors include the type of sealant, underlayment, molding, and (if you’re doing it yourself) tools you’ll need to successfully complete your project.
Before you start installing commercial laminate flooring, make sure your subfloor is as flat and smooth as possible. If there are any bumps or dips, install an acoustic underlayment to reduce the amount of noise created by foot traffic and furniture. This can also help protect your floors from moisture and thermal changes.
When you’re ready to begin, use a straightedge or T-square to mark long cutting lines for rip cuts running the length of the planks. For crosscuts, a table saw or utility knife with a fine-tooth blade is best for minimizing chipping of the decorative surface. For notches, curves, or other custom cuts, you can use a handsaw or jigsaw. When you’re finished, save any cut pieces to use as future trims.
Laminate is extremely durable and able to withstand high-traffic areas, making it well suited for retail spaces. The top layer of laminate flooring is designed to resist scratches and stains, and it’s not easily marred by spills or other accidents. The moisture resistance of laminate flooring also makes it a good choice for rooms like bathrooms where the floor will be exposed to occasional water exposure.
The moisture tolerance of laminate also makes it a suitable choice for basements or other environments where water exposure will occur less frequently. It’s important to remember, though, that laminate is not waterproof and should not be used in rooms with persistent moisture exposure such as saunas or hot tubs.
Another benefit of laminate is that it’s easy to clean, which helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew. To maintain your laminate, sweep regularly and wipe it down with a damp cloth. If you have rolling furniture in your store or shop, place protective pads under the feet to keep it from creating marks and indentations on your new laminate.
When you’re ready to install the last row, start with a row that is offset by half of a plank. Install the first planks in a brick-laid pattern, using spacers to ensure proper spacing between rows. Once the first four rows are installed, stagger the remaining planks in a random pattern. Once your floor is completely laid, install quarter-round moulding and baseboards to give the room a polished look. Be sure to caulk the edges of the baseboards for a neat finish. Finally, apply approved 3/16” thick heavy-duty felt pads under all furniture feet to avoid scratching and damaging your new laminate. If you need a reputable commercial laminate contractor in Tampa make sure you check on Tampa Flooring Solutions.