Laminate floors are placed over the sub-floor without actually being attached to it. In other words, laminate flooring simply lies on whatever’s underneath it (wood, cement, linoleum, etc.). Laminate floors come in squares or planks, and have a variety of shapes and sizes The planks have a tongue and groove edge which are locked together.

Many laminate floors don’t require any glue, making installation much easier with their glueless locking systems. Other laminate floors have glue pre-applied, requiring just a damp sponges to activate the adhesive. Many of the better grade laminate floors have their edges pre-sealed at the factory in order to prevent moisture from attacking the inner core structure.

Prior to installation, a special polyurethane coat is put down, over which the flooring will float. Some higher-priced underlayments reduce sound and restrict moisture penetration. The installation for laminate wood flooring is similar to hardwood, with several rows laid first to square off the room to prevent bowing and cupping of the planks.

The process of glueless laminate floor installation

The laminate flooring most commonly offered by manufacturers are glueless, also referred to as "clic-floors." The tongue and the groove of this type of flooring is meant to lock firmly in place and not come apart with foot traffic. Always read the manufacturer’s installation procedures before you start – this will prevent you from making mistakes and wasting time and effort. Also, the subfloor must be flat in order for the planks to lock together.

Tools to install glued laminate flooring

You'll need various tools to install standard laminate flooring. Again, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and use the recommended tools.

•Glue – most, but not all, laminate floors have a special adhesive to join the planks and help keep moisture out of the core.

•Straps – these are much more effective at pulling rows of planks together than clamps are. As a rule, you'll need a set of straps for every four feet of starter rows.

•Fillers and sealants -- some laminate wood flooring manufacturers offer color coordinated fillers and sealants to cover gaps between planks and prevent moisture from entering the perimeter of the planks.

•Tapping block – use this to tap two planks together.

•Wedges – V-shaped wedges are used to ensure that there's as little gap left between the laminate floor and the walls as possible. Again, different manufacturers of laminate floors have their own recommended gap distance, so to be sure to consult your manufacturer’s installation manual.

•Pulling bar – this bar is used to pull two pieces of together. Great care must be applied in using the bars to avoid chipping the surface of the plank.

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When working with windows, you will likely need a ladder for installation. Before you begin, make sure that your ladder is strong and secured. It may be a good idea to have someone to hold the ladder while you are working. This will ensure that the ladder will not sway and will give you a better sense of safety when someone that you trust is helping. Check to make sure that the ladder is not broken or the steps are not weak. If nails are protruding or anything appears damaged, fix it immediately before attempting to climb up.

Selecting Windows

When selecting the perfect windows for your home, consider purchasing a product that has a warranty and always purchase from a reputable dealer. Ask questions and never leave the sales floor until they are all answered with certainty.

Installing New Windows

Be sure that you purchase the windows that you want to install prior to making the opening in your wall. Windows fit in the rough opening of the wall framing, which should be slightly larger than the window to allow for a good fit. Your new windows should have detailed instructions, which dictate the size needed for an opening and other important information. Be sure to read the instructions carefully prior to beginning installation of your windows.

The first thing that you will need to do, when purchasing new windows, is to make sure that they are not cracked or broken. When you’re ready to begin installation, determine the width that you need for an opening with a measuring tape. Mark every stud in that area, which should allow for the opening between them. Mark the top and bottom of the rough opening and cut through the studs while being careful not to cut into the sheathing.

The next step is to cut the opening by drilling a hole into each corner. You will need a good pair of safety goggles, dust mask and possibly hearing protectors. Carefully proceed to make the opening. Again, following your instructions, carefully build the opening using the same size lumber as the wall studs.

When you’re ready to put the window into place, check to make sure the measurements of your opening match with that of your windows. It helps to have a friend of family member help by holding one side of the window while you work on securing it to your home. Level the window before tipping it away from the opening just enough to add professional quality caulking and pressing the window against the wall.

Now that you’re window is in place, secure it with nails into the corner of the window and into the wall. Next, plumb the window. Once the window is straight, secure it with another nail. Install the sashes and confirm that they are working properly by opening and closing them several times. Follow the steps and continue nailing your window until secured. If the sashes are not working properly, the window may need to be positioned differently.

Once you’re ready to seal the window, begin working around the outer edges while filling the gap with caulking. Seal the gap between the jambs and rough opening and get ready for interior casing.

Replacing Broken Windows

Replacing broken windows is an easy project and one that can be done in about an hour. Begin by removing the old putty with a putty knife while being careful not to damage the wood. Once the glass is out, lightly scrape the wood underneath the glass until it’s clean of any material. Prime the surface, which will help to keep moisture from getting into the wood and weakening your work. Next, create a cushion for the glass using glazing compound and mold it with your fingers. Gently press the glass into the compound and secure it with a putty knife. Finally, place another line of glazing compound to seal the window and allow it to dry before adding new paint.

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Most of us think that because hardwood floors are a rather sensitive and expensive material, we should always seek the help of professionals to get them installed.

Thus, it is comforting to know that with the right tools and the right kind hardwood, it is pretty much a do it yourself endeavor. And because prefinished hardwood floor planks are already available in hardware stores and instructional manuals everywhere, then you really have nothing to worry about.

How do you install hardwood flooring? First, decide whether you want to use oak, maple or cherry, or rustic ash. Oak is the most expensive kind of hardwood material, but it is reputably the best and the sturdiest. If you're working under a particular budget, maple or rustic ash are also okay and will last as long as oak with proper care and maintenance.

Next, prepare the following materials: the hardwood planks, a vapor barrier paper, a pry bar, a hammer, a speed drill and drill bits, a pneumatic flooring pack (which consists of a nail gun, staples, a mallet, a hose, and an air compressor), a staple gun, a tape measure, a chalk line, and, of course, your how-to manual.

It would be wise to study the manual before you go about hammering away so you don't waste time. Some hardware stores already have prepackaged hardwood installation necessities so you can avoid the hassle of looking for each piece. Of course, you shouldn't forget your safety goggles and gloves, as all the drilling and hammering could produce wood dust and can be harmful when inhaled.

Before buying hardwood floor planks, measure the surface where you are going to install them. Order planks that are around 10 to 15 inches bigger to allow room for errors. Expect that your initial attempt will be very challenging, but once you get that first plank in place, the rest should be a breeze.

Get rid of squeaks by tightly nailing the hardwood plank into the subfloor. When cutting, always provide extra space. When you're dealing with hardwood floors, it's best to go over and make the necessary adjustments than be left with a space that would look awkward to fill.

If you got a prefinished hardwood floor, then the job is done after you've installed the planks in place. But if you bought wood in its purest form, you should also pre-equip yourself with sanding and finishing tools and prepare for another challenging task ahead.

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