How to close the joints of the laminate 2

An excellent solution for flooring is laminate slats. Installation of laminate does not require special skills. Laminate board is an inexpensive and reliable coating that fits into almost any interior. The only thing you need to do when installing laminate - is to close up the joints. Since the basis of the laminate is fiberboard, then when moisture gets under the panel, it swells and deforms. A prerequisite for the installation of laminate boards - is sealing joints. It is important to close the joints of the laminate.

Sealant for processing

Sealant is a special gel with which seams, gaps and joints are processed. At the same time, the joints do not stick together, which is a big plus when it is necessary to replace the panel.

It is best to choose a sealant, which includes silicone. This silicone-based product has very good performance properties:

• reliability;
• long service life;
• the possibility of using a hermetic means at any temperature conditions.

In addition to silicone, the hermetic gel contains the following components:

• additives: quartz flour, chalk;
• antifungal substances;
• colorants;
• and substances that reduce the viscosity of the gel.

If the question of how to seal up the joints of laminate flooring is resolved, then now you need to prepare tools and materials for their processing.

Tool and materials

Before applying the sealant, you must read the instructions for use. If the sealant is used in a residential area, carefully examine its composition for the presence of harmful chemical components.

1. Silicone-based sealant. 
2. Rubber mallet.
3. Ruler, pencil.
4. Jigsaw.
5. Retainer.
6. Spacer wedges.

Before you start laying laminate flooring, you must carefully prepare the floor on which laminate panels will be laid. The smoother the base, the less time it takes to process the joints.

Features laying laminate panels

1. The basis for the installation of laminate coating should be dry, clean and level. Surface drops should not exceed 3–5 mm per meter. Otherwise, the lock joints of the panels will be quickly loosened and become unusable, which will require additional time and material costs for the dismantling and installation of the laminate.
2. If the basis drops are more than 5 mm per meter, it is advisable to make a new screed and only then lay laminate panels. The smooth surface of the base will allow you to properly lay the substrate under the laminate in order to protect the floor from moisture.
3. The first row of panels must be laid out with a 8 mm deformation gap. This gap should be maintained around the perimeter of the room with the help of spacer wedges. This is done to ensure that the laminate, when the temperature environment in the apartment (room) changes, “breathes” and does not accumulate moisture under it.
4. When assembling the panels, it is necessary to lubricate the joints with a hermetic means. Excess gel must be carefully removed with a sponge or wet cloth. All other panels are mounted in the same way. After the completion of the laminate laying all the lock joints will be sealed.
5. The gaps that remain in the doorway can be decorated with elements such as plinth or threshold. How to miss the joints between the laminate and plinth? You can use the same sealed gel based on silicone.
6. If the laminate board is joined:

• with linoleum? seams to close with a threshold from plastic;
• with a tile - to close seams with a threshold from aluminum;
• with a stone surface - it is desirable to close the joints with cork plates.

Small tips for repairing beginners

1. Silicone-based sealer does not stick laminate. The gel does not allow excessive moisture to penetrate under the floor covering, therefore, if necessary, you can easily replace several panels.
2. If an expensive high-quality laminate is used for flooring, then there is no need to apply sealant. The joints of this laminate are already treated with a water-repellent agent.
3. If a residential flooring system is installed in the living room, then an adhesive laminate cannot be used. Since this coating is not collapsible, and in case of breakdown of the floor heating system, it is necessary to remove the entire laminate. And this means that it will take time to install the new flooring and there will be material costs for the purchase of new laminate panels.
4. Laying laminate flooring is necessary along doors, windows or verandas, that is, along a natural light source. Otherwise, the falling shadow will emphasize the joints of the panels, which will make the room less aesthetic. If there are several windows in the room, then the installation should start from a large window diagonally. This method is more costly, but the most effective.

Video

This video shows how to mount the baseboard with a different type of attachment:

And this video is dedicated to the installation of a flexible profile: