Installing Laminate Flooring On Stairs

Laminate flooring is a synthetic flooring product consisting of multiple layers fused together by means of a lamination process. Its inner core is made up of melamine resin and fiber board materials. The laminate flooring is made or simulated to resemble wood, marble, granite or stone. Installing laminate flooring on stairs is a better option than carpets, because it is more durable than carpets, besides being equally attractive and more cost-effective than natural floor materials. It is water resistant and also resists staining, fading and wear better than wood. Also, laminate flooring is available in a vast array of colors.

Laminate Flooring On Stairs

Laminate flooring is easy to install; some laminate flooring has glue backing for easy installation. If you are wondering how to install laminate flooring on stairs, then here is the correct procedure for it.

• The stairs that need to be covered should be cleaned up first. Remove all dust, dirt, debris, adhesives or nails that may be present on the stairs, so that the new laminate flooring will stick well to the surface.
• With the help of a measuring tape, locate the center of the surface of the topmost stair. Mark the spot with a marker or pencil. Do this for the front portion (riser) of the top stair as well.
• Take the laminate flooring and remove its adhesive. Place it on the stair surface, making sure that the center of the tile is put directly over the point of the stair surface earlier marked with the marker. Smooth it properly on the stair surface.
• Lay the other tiles, moving leftwards from the center tile. Then move to the right side of the center tile and stick the remaining tiles.
• Repeat the same procedure for the front portion (riser) of the stairs.
• Repeat the entire procedure for all the remaining stairs.

Points to Remember

• When installing laminate flooring on open stairs, i.e., a stairway with no walls on each side, get a carpenter to do all the finishing. Otherwise, the unfinished edges of the laminates will be exposed to view.
• For safety reasons, it is recommended to glue the laminate flooring on the stairs rather than "floating" it. Under no circumstances should foam underlayment be placed under the laminates for the floating effect.
• Start from the topmost stair and work your way downwards. This way you can avoid stepping on the freshly installed laminates.
• If you think that adhesive is not adequate for the job, you can consider nailing the laminate flooring. Since nailing can damage the laminate flooring, first check the manufacturer's recommendations. For nailing, use pneumatic (automatic) nailer which can minimize damage to the laminates.
• While installing laminate flooring on stair, railings should not be ignored. Make sure the colors are well coordinated.

How to Protect Laminate Flooring

After installing laminate flooring on stairs, it is important to protect the outer-most layer of your laminate flooring. This melamine resin filled wear-layer protects the print layer of the laminate floor. Any damage to this layer makes the print layer vulnerable too and this damage is very difficult to repair. Avoid using very harsh and abrasive cleaners which contain large amounts of acids and alkalies. They can remove the melamine layer from the laminate. For the same reason avoid large quantities of soap-based detergents; they also leave residues behind. Scouring pads containing steel wool can scratch the flooring, therefore, they should be avoided. For cleaning the flooring, use least possible amount of water. A mixture of white vinegar and clear warm water can be used for deep cleaning. After cleaning, dry up the floor with a dry towel or cloth. Never allow any pools of water to stagnate on the laminate floor. Clean up the spills as soon as possible to prevent staining. For removing some small stains, acetone (nail polish remover) can safely be used. Other precautions you can take include never sanding, waxing, sealing or polishing the floor. Also, while moving heavy objects, furniture, equipment, etc, use furniture glides and also, place door mats outside the house to collect dirt and debris.

Laminate flooring is a good home decorating technique. Installing laminate flooring on stairs is relatively easier than its subsequent care and maintenance. So, keep the above points in mind for getting the installation right and see for yourself, how laminate flooring transforms the appearance of your staircase, giving it a shiny, squeaky clean look and adds to the aesthetic beauty of your interiors.