A herringbone laminate floor from Floorlife is a stylish and timeless choice for any interior. The distinctive herringbone pattern provides a luxurious appearance, while laminate is a practical and low-maintenance option. Laying such a floor yourself may seem challenging, but with the right knowledge, preparation, and tools, it is certainly achievable. In this blog, you will find everything you need to know, from choosing the right underlayment to gluing and finishing the floor. We will cover the following topics:
- For which floors is this information relevant?
- Acclimatizing the floorboards
- Choosing the right underlayment
- Gluing the floorboards
- Room humidity
- Video explaining how to lay the floor
For which floors is this information relevant?
The information in this blog is relevant for all herringbone laminate floors from the Floorlife or Ambiant brands. A selection of possible floors within this range can be found below;
- Floorlife Herringbone Laminate Wood Look Bayside Oak dark smoked 3424
- Floorlife Herringbone Laminate Wood Look Bayside Oak light natural 3425
- Floorlife Herringbone Laminate Wood Look Bayside Oak 4861
- Floorlife Herringbone Laminate Wood Look Bayside Oak natural 3422
Acclimatizing the herringbone laminate
For a successful installation of a herringbone laminate floor, it is essential to allow the laminate planks to acclimatize sufficiently in the room where they will be laid. This helps prevent tension and deformation due to temperature and humidity differences. Allow the packages to acclimatize for at least 48 hours, both day and night, at a temperature between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. Open the packages to ensure that the planks can properly adjust to the conditions in the room. By not skipping this step, you lay the foundation for a stable and durable floor.
Choosing the right underlayment
For a herringbone laminate floor, a suitable underlayment is crucial. Because this type of floor requires a lot of stability, there are specific requirements for both the subfloor and the underlayment.
- Type of subfloor: A herringbone floor can only be laid on a cement or anhydrite-bound subfloor. Wooden floors are not suitable due to their susceptibility to movement.
- Compressive strength: Choose an underlayment with a minimum compressive strength of 120 kPa to firmly support the laminate pattern.
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Recommended options:
- Gold-Pack: With a compressive strength of 400 kPa and a leveling capacity of 1 mm, this is ideal for flat surfaces. Click here to view the Co-Pro Gold-Pack underlayment.
- Olive-Pack: With 150 kPa compressive strength and 3 mm leveling capacity, this is suitable for subfloors with minor irregularities. Click here to view the Co-Pro Olive-Pack underlayment.
Leveling the subfloor
Does your subfloor have irregularities greater than 2 mm? Then it must first be leveled with self-leveling compound. A perfectly flat subfloor prevents problems such as creaking or unstable laminate.
Gluing the floorboards
An extra strong connection is important, especially along the edges of a herringbone laminate floor. Gluing prevents planks from shifting and ensures a stable floor. Use a strong wood glue for this, such as Co-pro Tongue and Groove Glue D3, and follow these tips:
- Edge gluing: Glue the outer edge all around for a firm base.
- Spot gluing: If the subfloor is not perfectly flat or if there is doubt about stability, also glue the rest of the floor in spots. This prevents movement and increases the lifespan of your floor.
Humidity
Humidity plays an important role in laying and maintaining a herringbone laminate floor. Unlike straight panels, where the material usually works in one direction, a herringbone pattern joins at right angles. This makes the floor more sensitive to changes in relative humidity, which can lead to expansion or contraction of the panels.
Ideal humidity
The optimal humidity for a herringbone laminate floor is between 50% and 60%. This ensures that the floor remains stable and prevents unwanted movement of the panels. Too high or too low humidity can damage the floor and reduce living comfort.
Seasonal fluctuations
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In summer
During warm periods, especially with humidity of 70% or higher, the laminate expands. You can recognize this by sticking cabinet doors or wooden furniture that is difficult to close. -
In winter
In the colder months, humidity often drops below 40%, leading to shrinking floors, creaking furniture, and sometimes even dry eyes or skin problems.
How to control humidity?
To limit large fluctuations in humidity, it is strongly recommended to use a humidifier. This allows you to keep the humidity in your home stable between 55% and 60%. This has several advantages:
- For your floor: It minimizes the risk of expansion or contraction of the laminate panels.
- For your furniture: Wooden furniture and other materials retain their shape and function better.
- For your health: Stable humidity improves air quality and prevents dry eyes and skin problems.
