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Tools for Laminate Flooring
Most of the tools you'll
need to install laminate flooring are pretty basic. You probably
already have most of them. Any you don't have you can find at your
local hardware store. You might consider renting some of the more
expensive ones that you won't use much. You'll need some
special tools, such as tapping blocks and clamps. They're product
specific; buy or rent them from your flooring dealer.
To replace a badly damaged plank, you'd need some other tools. It's
usually a pretty tricky job, though, so hire a professional installer.
Preparation Tools
| Pry Bar |
For removing shoe molding and other trim |
| Carpenter's level |
To check subfloor for level and high/low
spots |
| Cold Chisel |
Works as a wedge to pry up old wood floor |
| Ball-peen hammer |
Heavy, large-faced hammer for hitting cold
chisel |
| Large putty knife |
Use a metal knife for prep work |
| Floor scraper |
Removes residue from subfloor |
| Belt Sander |
With 60-grit paper, for smoothing a wood
subfloor |
| Jamb Saw |
Cuts door jamb and door trim to create
clearance for flooring |
| Trowel |
Smoothes leveling compound |
| Flat-head Screwdriver |
Wedge it under show moldings to loosen
them |
Installation Tools
| Backsaw & Miter Box |
For cutting angles |
| Circular Saw |
For making straight cuts. Use a
carbide-tipped blade |
| Saber Saw |
For cutting curves, use a laminate blade |
| Electric Drill |
For drilling holes |
| Tape Measure |
For accurate Measurements |
| Plastic Putty Knife |
Apply putty with plastic knife to avoid
scratching laminate |
| Compass |
Trace along wall to transfer
irregularities to floor |
| China Marker |
mark holes and scribe lines |
| Utility Knife |
For cutting underlayment |
| Phillips-head screwdriver |
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| Coping Saw |
Cutting coping joints in molding |
| Hacksaw |
For cutting metal track to install
laminate moldings |
| Flexi-curve |
Form around odd-shaped obstacles, then
trace onto planks |
| Combination Square |
Measuring and marking cuts on planks |
| Nail Set |
Countersink nail heads in shoe molding |
| Claw Hammer |
Fastening show moldings |
| Caulking Gun |
Apply silicone caulk |
| Power Miter Saw |
Makes short work of angled cuts on trim |
Specialized Items
| Installation Clamp |
Keeps rows tight during installation.
May come with extension straps for clamping large areas (needed for
Glue-installation only) |
| Installation Strap |
Extend across floor to keep rows straight
and tight; use 2 to 3 per plank length. (needed for Glue-installation
only) |
| Pull Bar |
Slip in place and tap to tighten joints |
| Spacers |
For maintaining expansion space around
walls and other solid objects. |
| Tapping Block |
Slit in side of block fits over tongue on
plank; tap gently to tighten joint. |
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