Hardwood Depot.net - DIY Mohawk and Shaw Installation for Laminate Flooring

Installation Kits for Laminate Flooring

Shaw DIY Kit

Mohawk DIY Kit

If you decide to install your new floor yourself, the downloadable instructions below will give you step-by-step instructions. If you hire a professional, looking over the instructions will help you know what to expect when your installer arrives.

Mohawk Laminate Installation Guide

Shaw Laminate Installation Guide

Installation Tips:

Spacers
Spacers are used to create the required 1/2-inch expansion space between the plank edges and any vertical surfaces that come into contact with the laminate. You should have one spacer for each square foot of flooring installed. To utilize spacers, you’ll hold spacers back-to-back—the thin edge of one spacer against the thicker side of another—and insert this doubled spacer between the wall and the plank. This creates the 1/2-inch expansion space on the starting and side walls. You’ll also use these doubled spacers along the final row of planks to keep the floor tightly bonded while the adhesive is drying. If there are slight wall imperfections, you can use thinner or additional spacers where needed. The planks will expand slightly in reaction to the glue after installation. Twelve hours after installation, the spacers can be removed easily without damaging the walls or the laminate. Remove the spacers before you install wall base or quarter round molding.

Please note: If you are working with gypsum board (Sheetrock®) walls, you may find that the wall material ends about 1/2-inch above the sub-floor. You’ll need to insert wood strips in this space (1/2-inch X 1/2-inch strips can be purchased at home center store trim departments) before using the spacers.

Push Block
A push block enables you to tap planks into position without damaging the plank’s extruding tongue. The push block has a slot that fits over the tongue, allowing you to position the plank (right).

Pull Bar
When you are too close to the wall to use the push block, a pull bar gets the job done. You use this by placing the pull bar over the short side of the plank to ease it into the proper position. (right)

Installation Straps Installation straps are used in installing all Mohawk Laminate flooring, except DuraLoc. Straps ensure a uniform tightness to the plank joints and use a mechanical ratchet to pull the planks together—rather than using the impact force of the push block. Professional installers prefer installation straps because they speed the installation process. Installation straps are adjustable from two rows of planks to up to 26 rows. Extra-long straps can accommodate 44 rows.
Adhesive Scraper Made of soft plastic, the adhesive scraper is used to clean up the glue that oozes from the seam when installing the planks. It’s also ideal for removing substances such as glue or tar from Mohawk Laminate.

Using Installation Straps If you’ve never used installation straps before, first familiarize yourself with their operation. If the installation strap is tangled or just wrapped around the strap plate, unwind and straighten it. You’ll notice two plates included—the head plate contains the ratchet, and the footplate has no ratchet. Release the handle to the fully opened 180° position, then press the spring-mounted release tabs in order to pull the strap through the ratchet. Feed the strap through the slot in the center of the ratchet axel, then out the other side until the two plates are about the correct distance apart. You’ll still use the push block for the initial planks’ placement and to tighten the butt ends. Then, keeping the strap with the head plate near you, place the footplate against the starting wall. Its lip fits into the expansion space and hooks over the first plank row. Using the ratchet, place the head plate lip over the tongue of the leading row of planks. To tighten the planks, close the ratchet and then open it slowly. This draws the strap around the ratchet’s axel. You’ll notice glue oozing from the joint as the ratchet closes. Wipe the glue and check to be certain that the joint is tight. If either plank starts to rise, you’re applying too much pressure. If the joints are not tight at this point, check to see if something is obstructing the planks or if your row is perfectly straight. You’ll continue working across the row, using additional straps as you install more planks. Plan to use two straps for each plank across the row (bottom left). Please note: You will need to allow the first three rows of installed laminate to dry for 60 minutes before proceeding (bottom right). After an hour, you can proceed with the installation. This will be the only time you need to pause during the installation of the planks. Remember, you’ll need to allow the floor to set for at least 12 hours before removing the spacers to install the trim and quarter round molding. Then, after the installation is completely finished, allow the glue to cure for 12 hours before allowing traffic on the floor or moving furniture in or through the room.