How to properly join laminate flooring. How to join laminate flooring between rooms

Before those who independently lay the laminate in their house or apartment, the question often arises: how to make a connection between laminate and laminate or laminate and other flooring so that the joint looks neat and does not interfere with free movement.

How to join laminate

To begin with, let's figure out in which cases it is necessary to make laminate joints.

Why you need a connection

This is not about a standard assembly, when each panel is connected to previously laid ones. And about those situations when you have to use a special connecting profile for laminate.

The need for this arises:

  • When moving from one room to another.

For reference. The fact is that the locking connection of the laminate is quite dense, it does not allow individual panels to “walk” freely with changes in humidity and temperature.

Therefore, damper gaps between the coating and the walls are left along the perimeter of the room - free space for expanding the laminate.

If it is not left every 7-8 meters, the laminate will have nowhere to expand, and at the junctions it will billow.

And in order not to make the connection in a conspicuous place, it is usually arranged in doorways.

  • When decorating large areas. The reason is the same - the device damper gaps.
  • When used in the same room different types flooring or different types of laminate, whose locks do not match.
  • When the floor level changes. For example, if you need to finish the podium or stairs with laminate.

When specialists are engaged in finishing, we do not even think about such trifles. But if the repair is done by hand, even such simple task like joining laminate between rooms can be a hassle.

How to make a connection

Fortunately, all these little things have long been thought out, solutions have been found, and we just have to use them. Almost all laminate manufacturers produce various components for it.

In addition to the plinth, these include a connecting strip for a laminate, which is often called a threshold or a connecting profile.

Types of connecting strips for laminate

When purchasing a laminate, you can ask the seller about the availability of the connecting elements required in your case. They differ both in shape and in the material from which they are made.

Profile form

Depending on the purpose, the connecting strips are divided into the following types:

  • Straight (connecting) profiles- are used for decoration, located on the same level with it.

  • Transition profiles- connect floor coverings located at different heights.
  • Corner profiles- designed to decorate the junction of mutually perpendicular surfaces on stairs and podiums finished with laminate.

In addition to those listed, there is also a final profile for framing the open edge of the laminate.

All these products perform not only a decorative function. The instruction manual requires the installation of expansion joints, and the connecting profiles allow you to make them hidden, invisible to the eye.

Manufacturing materials

Connection profiles are made from different materials depending on purpose.

  • Laminated- made of pressed wood fiber and covered with a laminated film with a decorative pattern.
    The pattern is selected in accordance with the decor of the laminate. Since it is required to connect the laminate between rooms as discreetly as possible, this type of profile is most often used in doorways.
  • metal– made of aluminium, brass or stainless steel and covered with a decorative film.
    They are characterized by increased strength, therefore they are used in places with high traffic.
  • Plastic- soft and flexible profiles, most often used for the design of curved joints. Their main advantages are a wide variety of colors and low price.
    But the service life plastic profiles relatively small.

  • Rubber- this is the most common corner profiles designed for mounting on stairs. They allow you to make walking on them safer, preventing slipping.

Installation of connecting profiles

All listed connecting elements are supplied with an additional fixing rail for concealed mounting.

For reference. Metal profiles can be installed in an open way using dowels and self-tapping screws.

Fasteners are included in the product kit, and mounting holes are made in the metal bar at the factory.

How to attach a profile, you can see in the video presented on this page.

The mounting rail is mounted to the base with glue or screws. Moreover, the second option is considered more preferable, as it allows re-installation and has greater strength.

The installation sequence of the connecting profile is as follows:

  • The mounting rail is installed next to the edge of the coating and secured with screws.
  • From the slats begin to lay the second coating.
  • The decorative strip is installed in the mounting rail guide and snapped into it with hammer blows through a wooden block.

Conclusion

The quality of the repair and the impression of the created interior largely depend on such trifles as the design of joints, corners and transitions.

The photos presented in the article confirm this. Using connectors specially designed for this purpose, you will not only achieve the excellent appearance of the laminate flooring, but also extend its life.

There was an opinion that laying a laminate floor is quite simple. We will not dispute it, but in the process of work, depending on the specific circumstances, certain difficulties may arise. The most common problem arises when it is necessary to connect one coating to another. A similar situation occurs even when the entire apartment is covered with the same laminated material. You still have to face the question of how to join the laminate between rooms, use a threshold or do without it. Here everything depends not only on the design solution, but also on the technical preparedness and expertise of the laying specialist.

The joint between laminate and laminate is made under the following circumstances:


With the combination of laminate, you can perform all sorts of design solutions. For example, it is possible to visually increase the size of the room. To do this, docking of the same coating in the room is performed without setting thresholds.

By combining different materials it is possible to create a unique interior. It is possible to join laminated panels of different shades or textures in the space of one room. The connection of the boards is done in accordance with the overall design.

Note: at present, the combination of two floor materials in the design of a room is becoming an increasingly used artistic technique, as a result of which the interior design of a room acquires a special charm and originality.

Preparation for bonding laminate flooring

Recall that for laying laminated panels, the base must be well prepared, leveled and cleaned of all contaminants. For joining two floor materials, this condition is also necessary.

To join a laminate with a laminate, it must be foreseen that the panels can have different thicknesses, it is 6 - 12 mm. Most good way- purchase laminated boards, a substrate of the same thickness in order to avoid the smallest difference in the height of the surfaces. It is very good if materials from the same manufacturer are to be joined, so that they have the same type of locking joints, the same strength class, and hence the service life.


How to join a laminate with a laminate, with or without a threshold, and which profile should be used for the laminate joint?

There are several options for joining laminate to laminate. Consider the most common and less complex.


Most often, the connection of laminated surfaces occurs when moving from one room to another, i.e. in doorway. Here it is necessary to leave a technological gap. In its absence, the formation of deformation, swelling of the floor surface is likely. The gap left must be filled in some way. How to close the joints of the laminate?


Laminate joint in a doorway

To our joy, all these questions have been thought out for a long time, the answers to them have long existed, our task is to take turnkey solutions and apply them correctly. Coating manufacturers also produce a variety of components. These include: substrates, skirting boards, connecting strips for laminate. Planks for connection are also called threshold, molding, profile for connection. They vary in shape and are made from various materials.

Profile form

According to the forms, the docking strips for the laminate can be divided in this way:


The considered products carry a decorative load, but not only. When installing a laminated floor, a technological gap is required, which the connecting profiles make hidden, protect against damage and at the same time allow them to have an aesthetic appearance.

Threshold materials

Connecting profiles are made from various materials.

  1. Laminated - made from compressed wood fibers, a laminated film with decoration is applied on top. A wide variety of colors and textures, so it is easy to match the decor of the joined laminate. The connection looks aesthetically pleasing and, with the right selection, is almost imperceptible. Often installed at the junction of a doorway.
  2. Metal - aluminum, brass, steel; the top is covered with a decorative film. It is characterized by high strength, due to which it is installed in places with high traffic, for example: doorways.
  3. PVC profile is a flexible joint profile for laminate, excellent for making wave-like joints. Available in a wide variety colors, i.e. well matched to the color of the joined surface. Relatively inexpensive.
  4. Rubber - more often an angular profile for decorating stairs. They are anti-slip, increase the safety of walking on stairs.

There are several ways to design a seam line:

  • using thresholds, profiles;
  • use of a cork compensator;
  • use of building sealants.

With all its advantages:

  • ease of installation;
  • beautiful view of the joint;
  • no threshold - not used very often.

The point is their serious shortcomings:

  • after their application, it is impossible to dismantle the panels in contact with the connecting compound without damage;
  • when filling the joint with sealant or foam, the laminate loses its ability to expand, this can lead to damage to the coating.

Installation of connecting profiles

Aluminum moldings can be mounted in an open-mounted manner using dowels and self-tapping screws. On the aluminum bar there are already ready-made holes for self-tapping screws, accessories are sold together with a metal threshold.


Aluminum threshold, open fitting

Decorative fastening method - looks more attractive, fastening is not visible, it is hidden under a decorative nozzle.

The mounting profile is connected to the base with self-tapping screws. A decorative nozzle is laid on top, pressed until it clicks. It covers the traces of fastening, and the joint looks pretty.

How to attach a universal profile:

Docking laminate and linoleum

This combination of materials is quite common. Both coatings are of high quality, but it is necessary to correctly and aesthetically arrange their joint. The strength of the floor covering and the interior of the room depend on this.

Consider the connection case: the thickness of the linoleum is much less than the thickness of the laminated panels with the substrate. There are two ways to connect in this case:

  • joint in one level;
  • joint at different levels of surfaces.

CONCLUSION

Now you know how to connect laminate with linoleum at the junction, how to connect laminate joints with laminate between rooms, it remains to translate all this into reality. Big problems when docking coatings will not arise if everything is done according to the instructions. If the connection line is complex or too long, it is better to entrust the connection of surfaces to specialists.

From such small but important points, as the design of the joints of the coatings, the level of repair and the general interior of the renovated premises largely depend.

Linoleum, parquet, carpets - it's all left in the distant past.

Even the high price pays for itself already in the first days of operation, since the surface has incredibly resistant properties against external factors.

"How to dock laminate between rooms?" - the main question that arises during installation. If the usual layout is simple, then the joints require a little knowledge and effort.

So that during the installation of the laminate there are no problems with transitions between rooms, thresholds and uneven floors, it is worth getting connecting strips.

Laminate manufacturers have already found a solution that does not need any additions.

When installing flooring, it is absolutely not necessary to use planks. They serve to hide the seams, as well as work with hard-to-reach places, sheets at different levels.

Nevertheless, professionals recommend using at least one of the types in the laying process. This is due to the fact that in the process it is worth making gaps every seven meters, and you can hide them with the help of a straight or finishing bar, while the aesthetics will not be disturbed.

This element is also used in the following cases:

  • Is the solution to the question: "How to join the laminate between rooms without thresholds?"
  • When using several types of laminate, where the docking locks do not match.
  • When finishing steps and other hills.
  • When the floor is uneven and the laminate sheets are at different levels.

It is possible to avoid working with slats, but this will harm the appearance of the floor covering and cracks will form over time, leading to its destruction.

How to choose planks

To date, there are several types of these products on sale, which are divided depending on the shape and material.

To choose a really suitable bar - consider each of the types separately. Depending on the form, they are:

  • Straight - are used for joining elements on a straight surface without obstacles of two parts of the laminate or connecting with another floor covering (tiles, parquet).
  • Transitional - they are used in cases where the connected parts are at different levels.
  • Corner - used when joining laminate in corners and other hard-to-reach places.
  • The final ones - with their help they hide the seams, other nuances of the calculation.

Depending on the material of manufacture, the straps are:

  • Laminated - the most suitable models in terms of composition, which are selected depending on the color chosen. It is used most often in doorways and when joining two parts.
  • Metal - visually look cheap, but are durable, because they are made of aluminum or steel. With their help, they mask or connect the seams in the most vulnerable places.
  • Plastic - due to their flexible properties, they are used in places with a curly surface.
  • Rubber - according to the nature of the application, they are completely the same as plastic ones. Easy to bend, durable and good friction effect.

Based on the features of the form, choose the planks required types, but keep in mind that during the installation process, final and corner ones will certainly be needed.

Installing connecting strips

If there should be no problems with the choice and purchase, then there are several nuances with the installation.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

  • Fasten the rail that comes with the slats between the joints. It is advisable to do this with self-tapping screws, but landing on glue is also acceptable.
  • Move both parts of the laminate to each other in the way you would like to see in the end.
  • Fasten the grooves together by hitting hard with a hammer.

Many people have a question: "How to join the laminate between rooms with a difference?". The answer is much simpler than one might imagine. To do this, there are transitional strips that are designed specifically for such situations, and the installation technology is completely similar.

If there are planks that are suitable in appearance, installation will not take much time and will not cause additional questions at all.

Undoubtedly, you can install the joints yourself and it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. Focusing on the above recommendations, even joined pieces of laminate at different levels will not become an obstacle on the way to creating a perfectly even and high-quality floor covering.

How to put laminate between rooms without joints - in the video:

One of the most popular flooring is laminate. Even an inexperienced person can carry out work on laying this material. At the same time, the laminate has a low cost. That is why it is a fairly popular floor covering. If the laminate is laid in several rooms, thresholds are not created in the doorways. But before carrying out work on fixing the material, it is necessary to learn about the features of work in the interior space.

Materials and tools

It is impossible to carry out work qualitatively without using the right tool. To lay the laminate, you need a hacksaw with fine teeth. Also, before work, you should prepare an electric jigsaw and a building level. In addition, a tape measure and a marker will come in handy.

You can also purchase a specialized kit for laying laminate, which includes plastic wedges and a tool that is a device for cutting boards. But such products can be replaced with improvised materials. For example, instead of wedges, many use laminate trimmings.

When purchasing flooring, it is important to remember that if you use low-quality laminate, the flooring can be used for a shorter period. The described material is divided into several classes.

If it is purchased for use in the bedroom, it is worth choosing material of class 23. It is low cost, but it is not designed for a load that, for example, affects the floor in the hallway. If you still use class 23 laminate, it can last about 6 years in the living room.

When choosing a material, it is important to remember that the higher the class, the higher the quality of the purchased products. It is also important to pay attention to the quality of the joints of the boards and their density.

The response of the floor covering to changes in air humidity and temperature depends on the density. If the locks of the boards are not sufficiently reliable. This can lead to deformation of the floor covering. During the purchase, it is also important to remember that you need to purchase with a margin of about 10 percent.

Laying laminate without thresholds should only be carried out on a prepared base. If this rule is not observed, defects may appear during operation. In addition, for work you will need materials such as:

  • waterproofing agent;
  • thermal insulation material;
  • grout for seams.

Thermal insulation material is usually installed only in country houses, since the interfloor overlap in multi-storey structures reliably retains heat.

Preparing the floor for laying laminate

Almost all instructions for laying the described flooring report that the optimal area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room in which the laying takes place should be 45-50 square meters. If you lay the material in a single array in a room of 100 square meters, this can lead to its deformation.

To prevent this from happening, builders usually install thresholds between rooms, which are expansion joints. In order to avoid deformations during the use of rooms, it is necessary to lay the material on an ideal flat surface. Typically, distortion occurs due to the fact that air cushions remain between the subfloor and the laminate.

During the work, it is worth remembering that the more accurately the work is done to remove old materials, the easier it will be to level the surface.

After dismantling the old flooring, it is necessary to assess the condition of the subfloor. If the damage is small, cosmetic alignment can be done. Such work involves sealing small cracks and irregularities. cement mortar. If the subfloor has serious defects, it is necessary to create a new screed.

After leveling, it is necessary to determine from which place the laying of the material will begin, and where it will end. This is important because the underlay is placed across the laminate. It is important to take into account that the strips of the substrate must overlap with an overlap of approximately 10 cm.

In the case when laying laminate without thresholds is carried out in a private house, it is necessary to create a hydro- and heat-insulating layer. When laying is done without thresholds, work is carried out immediately over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house. That's why waterproofing material fixed immediately in all rooms. If the material is too thin, it will not be able to perform its functions effectively enough. If the layer is thick, it can lead to deformation of the floor covering. After laying the waterproofing material, you need to check the reliability of the joints.

Features of laying laminate

During the installation of flooring, it is necessary to take into account the features of such work:

  1. The first 3 layers need to be laid more carefully, as they are fundamental. Work must begin from the window.
  2. The boards are connected using locks, so even a person with no experience can carry out work. On one side of each board there is a protrusion, and on the other, a groove into which the protrusion of the next element is inserted.
  3. At the first stacked board, it is necessary to cut the lock. The connection is made at an angle of 30 degrees. In this position, the board is inserted into the groove of the previous one, after which it is pressed to the floor until a click appears. During docking, you need to make sure that there are no gaps at the joints.
  4. If the boards that will be near the wall do not cut off the ledge, the floor will look less aesthetically pleasing.
  5. The entire row is mounted in the described way. When laying the last element, it is usually necessary to cut off part of it, since it rarely fits completely between the already fixed boards and the wall.

It is important to remember that it is impossible to lay boards close to the walls, as they can move when the temperature changes. That is why restrictive pegs are installed between the flooring and the walls. When laying material without thresholds, a gap of approximately 15 mm must be left between rooms. After fixing all the elements of the floor covering, it is worth inspecting the floor for large gaps.

Important! If it is necessary to seal the joints of the laminate and tiles without a threshold, it is enough to carefully cut the boards and use grout or mastic after laying.

When laying laminate flooring between rooms, it is important to consider the design of the rooms, as the flooring can look different in rooms with different decor. If one of the rooms has a tiled floor, it is important to cut the boards as precisely as possible before laying and matching them with the flooring of another room.

Features of creating a transition without a threshold

Before laying the laminate in a doorway without a threshold, it is necessary to make a cut in the door frame so that there is a small space between the material. To carry out all the work neatly, it is worth removing the door leaf.

If the transition is made parallel to the laying of the boards, no more than two boards may be needed to carry out the work. In the adjacent room, laying continues on the basis of the laminate, which is located in the opening. If space remains between the wall and the laminate, it is laid with sawn boards.

If the boards are laid across the opening, it is necessary to continue creating several rows from the door to the opposite wall. Only after that, the rest of the boards begin to join, which are brought to the side walls.

When choosing a laminate installation method, it should be borne in mind that fixing elements in several rooms without creating a threshold is a rather complicated process. That is why, in the absence of experience, it is important to carefully prepare for the work. By following the rules described, you can install laminate without thresholds throughout the apartment without the help of assistants and without spending money on professionals.

The floor, covered with high-quality laminate in compliance with the technology, ennobles the interior and allows you to use all possible design solutions. Using various ways laying laminate, you can achieve a visual increase in space or change its proportions.

Understanding how flooring is installed will help you choose suitable option for the interior of the apartment. This depends not only appearance gender, but also the number necessary materials, and hence their cost. Depending on the complexity of the work, its payment will also be different.

Laminate laying direction

Laminate manufacturers offer lamellas of various sizes. They can look like boards of various lengths with or without chamfer, squares, parquet or ceramic tile. Depending on the chosen type, the laminate can be placed in the longitudinal, transverse or diagonal direction.

The most common type of laminate imitating wooden board, are usually laid perpendicular to the line of the window so that the rays of incident light do not highlight the joints. Beveled laminate is chosen to emphasize the texture of the wood, so they can be placed in any direction.

It must be remembered that the longitudinal lines on flooring visually lengthen the space, especially when they form narrow stripes. Wide stripes make the room appear wider.

The arrangement of lines diagonally makes the room more spacious, provided that most of the floor is free from furniture and carpets. This method of laying laminate is considered more laborious due to the need to trim a large number of elements. This also leads to an increase in the amount of waste, which means that the consumption of materials will increase.
To highlight functional areas, a combination of two types of laminate with different laying directions is sometimes used. In this case, the boundary of the coatings can be straight, broken or curved, located along the wall or diagonally. Trimming a laminate board with this installation method requires high precision and skill.

Joints must be closed with special connecting profiles. The alternation of dies of different shades with a chamfer looks spectacular, especially when placed diagonally. They can fit randomly or make a repeating pattern. All methods of laying laminate require careful preparation of the subfloor and compliance with the installation technology.

Advice! The lamellas can be equipped with a chamfer both on two sides and on four. This does not affect the functionality of the coating in any way, but significantly improves the appearance of the floor.

Way of connecting elements

In the past, adhesive bonding of laminate was often used, but this method is now considered obsolete. The connection of the lamellas is made by snapping the lock, while the joint is tight and neat. This is especially important for beveled laminate. AT modern types laminate, the following types of locking joints are used:

  • The Lock is a connection with a tongue and groove located at the ends of the slats. For snapping, the elements are tapped with a hammer through a wooden block. Disconnecting such locks without damaging the lamellas is quite difficult.
  • The Click lock has a slightly different shape. To connect, the comb of the installed board is wound at a certain angle, and then snaps into place when lowered to the floor. Such a connection is considered more convenient. It can be easily separated if necessary to dismantle the coating. At the same time, the lamellas are not damaged and remain suitable for reuse.
  • The Uni Click lock can snap into place when turned and when hammered. As a rule, not only the long sides of the boards, but also the ends are equipped with a lock.
  • A comb is cut off from the first row of lamellas.
  • The elements of the first row are interconnected. The cut side goes to the wall. The excess must be cut off.
  • The second strip begins with a lamella cut in half. The elements of the second row are connected and connected to the previous row.
  • To ensure a deformation gap along the perimeter of the room, wedges with a thickness of at least 8 mm are inserted between the laminate and the walls at a distance of 25 cm from each other.
  • Continue to connect the slats until the floor is completely covered. Stacking chamfered views is no different.
  • The last row is cut to the desired width, taking into account the gap.
  • At the junction with the door frame, the racks of the box are filed to get a coating under it.

Laminate has deservedly gained wide popularity. It has sufficient strength, durability, easy to fit and looks great. Varieties with a chamfer exactly imitate natural wood, with a lower cost. The diagonal arrangement of the laminate visually expands the room, but the consumption of material will be greater.