Different direction of laminated panelsfloor covering allows you to achieve different visual effects. You can visually expand a narrow room or divide it into zones. What is the right way to achieve the desired effect: diagonally, lengthwise or crosswise?
Laminate design diagram.
How to lay a laminate: the choice of the laying scheme
An important component of a high-quality finishfinishing of the premises is the design. More precisely, the creation of a simple drawing, on which it is necessary to indicate the dimensions of the future furnishings and the direction of laying the laminate flooring. The main factor in the choice is the direction of the daylight source. Laminate flooring can be laid in different ways:
- perpendicular to the source of daylight;
- parallel to the light source;
- diagonally.
Laminate flooring installation options.In general, laminate flooring can be laid in a wide variety of ways. However, it is better for a beginner to start mastering these skills using a simple method - straight. The most common type is perpendicular to the light source, due to the fact that you can get a perfectly smooth surface. You can lay laminate flooring in a parallel way in narrow rooms to visually expand them. Diagonal laying is suitable for non-standard rooms. This type of laying can be a way to divide the space into zones. But diagonally laid laminate will look beautiful in spacious rooms not cluttered with furniture. It is also characterized by a more labor-intensive laying process and a higher consumption of material. Return to the table of contents</a>
Direct way of laminate laying: along or across?
Installing laminate lengthwise or crosswise refers todirect installation method. But how to choose the best option? Installation of laminate along the line of light is the most common. With this installation, laminated panels are mounted parallel to the long wall of the room. Thus, the lighting from the window will make the joints of the panels invisible, since there is no shadow cast. The flooring looks perfectly smooth, like one solid panel. This option is well suited for rooms with a window that is located along a short wall. However, in a corner room with windows on adjacent walls, this effect cannot be achieved.
Sequence of direct laying of laminate.Installing lamellas across the line of light or along the short wall of the room is less welcomed by professionals, but this method also has its advantages. By laying laminate across the long walls, you can achieve a visual expansion of the room. But such installation in a very narrow room, for example, a corridor, will also be more labor-intensive due to the large amount of trimming. From all of the above, we can conclude:
- if the window in the room is one, then lay the laminate perpendicular to the window to visually hide the joints;
- if the room has two windows located on adjacent walls, lay the laminate perpendicular to that window, which gives more light.
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The choice of laminate and the layout of its laying
When buying laminate, pay attention toits assembly method. It is advisable to choose a covering not with an adhesive connection system, but with a locking one, since the adhesive installation method is already outdated, and the locking connection will provide an even and smooth covering without gaps during quick installation. Laminated covering should be purchased with a reserve, having previously calculated the area of the room. The square footage of the laminate in it is indicated on the packaging.
Laminate classes.The amount of laminate flooring will depend on the laminate flooring arrangement you choose. For the lengthwise and crosswise directions, you need to purchase 5-7% more material, for the diagonal direction - 15%. It is necessary to make a diagram of the future laminate flooring layout, since the lamellas need to be offset during installation. Most laminate flooring manufacturers do not recommend using fragments shorter than 30 cm. The width of the panels can very rarely be multiples of the room size. Therefore, the last row is often made of planks cut lengthwise. According to the technology, it is not recommended to make the last plank narrower than 5 cm. And if according to the diagram it turns out to be less than 5 cm, then you need to make the first row narrower by cutting off a small part of it. To obtain a floor covering made of lamellas laid in a checkerboard or brick pattern, they will need to be trimmed. They can be alternated both symmetrically and without adhering to any sequence. The symmetrical method of laying allows you to get a certain pattern. With an asymmetrical laying scheme, the lamellas are shifted in a random order by installing the trim from the previous row to the next one. This scheme is the most economical. Return to contents</a>
Stages of laying the laminate diagonally, along or across
Tools for laying laminate flooring.Regardless of which method of laying the laminate you have chosen - diagonal, lengthwise or crosswise, the technology of its installation is the same. To lay the laminate, you will need the following tools:
- measuring instruments - tape measure, ruler;
- pencil;
- electric jigsaw;
- hand saw;
- mounting crowbar;
- podbivochny brusok;
- a hammer;
- spacer wedges.
The work on laying laminated panels consists of the following stages:
Installation diagram of the substrate under the laminate.
By following this scheme, you will quickly, easily andcorrectly assemble the laminate flooring. The main rule is - do not forget about the gaps between the flooring and the walls. These gaps can be easily hidden later with baseboards that are attached not to the floor, but to the wall, which allows the laminate to "walk". And most importantly, when choosing the direction of laying the laminate flooring, consider all the pros and cons, since the repair is not done for a year or two. You will not want to hide beautifully laid laminate under carpets and massive furniture.
