What Can You Put Over Laminate Flooring?
Laminate floors have long been a cost-effective way to get the same look as wood for a fraction of the price. There are many things you can put over laminate floors if you get sick of them, but there is a right and a wrong way to go about it.
You can put hardwood, ceramic tile, carpet, or more laminate over laminate floors using the right techniques. If you want to protect your existing flooring, opt for using laminate over top to prevent any nailing or gluing. Use a foam, rubber, or felt underlay to level the laminate floors first.
This article will divulge the best materials to install over laminate floors and how to go about doing so. Furthermore, we’ll discuss if this type of project will damage existing laminate floors and the cost of replacing them.
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What Are the Best Materials to Put Over Laminate Floors?
The first thing you want to consider is whether or not you plan on using your once-loved laminate floors again. Most over-the-top installations require you to nail down laminate flooring, which will indefinitely damage them.
If you’re unfamiliar, laminate floors are floating and use a tongue and groove locking system to connect. This design allows for the easy expansion of each plank during the summertime and contraction during colder months.
Additionally, laminate material will not adhere to most glue, so sticking another flooring over top with a standard adhesive won’t work.
Here are the best materials to put over laminate floors:
- Hardwood
- Ceramic tile
- Carpet
- More laminate
It’s important to note that while adding more laminate on top will preserve the existing flooring, the other materials will ruin them.
How to Install Over Laminate Flooring
If you’re looking to install a new material over your worn laminate floors, we’ve found the best bunch. As a whole, this process will save you time, money, and energy by eliminating the old flooring removal step.
Each installation process is a bit different, so let’s get more granular below.
Installing Hardwood Over Laminate Flooring
Here are the steps to put hardwood over laminate:
- Measure the room you plan on laying new floors in. Make sure you have enough materials.
- Remove all of the furniture from the room.
- Thoroughly clean the surface you’re working on- this will help the new material lay better.
- Level the laminate flooring- if there are any broken spots, remove those, sand down the area, and fill the gaps with a filler known as a leveling compound.
- Lay down a foam, rubber, or felt underlay and cut it to size.
- Start installing the hardwood flooring from one corner and expand outwards.
- Create pilot holes in your laminate flooring and nail down each wooden plank.
Installing Ceramic Tile Over Laminate Flooring
Here are the steps to put ceramic tile over laminate:
- Measure the room you plan on laying new floors in. Make sure you have enough materials.
- Remove all of the furniture from the room.
- Thoroughly clean the surface you’re working on- this will help the new material lay better.
- Level the laminate flooring- if there are any broken spots, remove those, sand down the area, and fill the gaps with a filler known as a leveling compound.
- With this installation, you’ll need to sand down the laminate first and sweep up the dust.
- Apply an epoxy-based adhesive to the laminate floors and lay the tile over top.
- Use thin-set concrete for grout.
Installing Carpet Over Laminate Flooring
Here are the steps to put carpet over laminate:
- Measure the room you plan on laying new floors in. Make sure you have enough materials.
- Remove all of the furniture from the room.
- Thoroughly clean the surface you’re working on- this will help the new material lay better.
- Level the laminate flooring- if there are any broken spots, remove those, sand down the area, and fill the gaps with a filler known as a leveling compound.
- Lay a carpet underlay material.
- Use tack strips to secure the underlay.
- Begin laying your carpet, starting from one corner of the room.
Installing More Laminate Over Laminate Flooring
Here are the steps to put more laminate over laminate:
- Measure the room you plan on laying new floors in. Make sure you have enough materials.
- Remove all of the furniture from the room.
- Thoroughly clean the surface you’re working on- this will help the new material lay better.
- Level the laminate flooring- if there are any broken spots, remove those, sand down the area, and fill the gaps with a filler known as a leveling compound.
- Lay down a foam, rubber, or felt underlay and cut it to size.
- Install the new laminate floors.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Laminate Flooring?
If your laminate flooring is completely shot and must be removed, how much will the replacement set you back?
It costs around $9 per square foot for the parts and professional labor associated with installing new laminate floors. It will cost an additional $2 per square foot to remove the old flooring, which brings your grand total to about $2,200 for a standard 200 square-foot room.
This is why it’s cost-conscious to install something new over your existing floors instead of removing them altogether.
Related Questions
Can laminate flooring be painted?
Yes, you can paint laminate flooring to change up the look of a room or to protect it. If you’re going for a makeover, just be sure to sand and prime the floors before you paint them.Opt for a gel stain or latex paint for the best final look.
Should you use a steam cleaner on laminate flooring?
Check with your floor’s manufacturer first, but this is probably a bad idea. Because laminate floors are floating, they expand with heat and moisture.Using a steam cleaner could cause them to buckle beyond repair.
How long do laminate floors last?
Laminate floors generally last around 20 years, give or take. If you take special care of them, they can outlive their predicted lifespan.
Do You Need to Hire a Flooring Contractor?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many materials that you can put over your laminate flooring. Whether it’s carpet, tiles, or more laminate, the right material will depend on how much traffic the area gets.
Always consult the manufacturer of your existing floors to make sure these projects are even possible!
Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.
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