Since its invention in the 1970s, laminate flooring has become one of the most reliable options for homeowners looking for stylish, durable, and affordable floor covering. This flooring option makes your home surface look classy and thoroughly furnished.
So, can you reuse laminate flooring? It is possible to reuse laminate flooring if it is removed carefully. In most cases, the laminate may not be attached to the subfloor, meaning it can be reused. However, it is vital to note that it could get damaged when detaching it from the floor. Therefore, you must be careful and work keenly to reduce the number of spoiled planks.
Even though laminate flooring has been around for several decades, some homeowners still don’t know the nitty-gritty regarding this flooring option. Undoubtedly, laminate flooring has become one of the most reliable housing options since its invention several decades ago. Homeowners looking for stylish yet affordable floor covering often choose laminate flooring. However, some homeowners wonder whether you can reuse laminate flooring.
You can reuse a laminate floor if it was fitted without glue. This is because glued laminate boards tend to break during removal, making it impossible to reuse them. The groove and tongue joint of adhesive-free laminate floors can reconnect and disconnect easily. This makes it possible to reuse the unglued boards.
You can lift and relay a modern laminate floor, as the most newer types don’t need glue when fitting. Unfortunately, the refit option isn’t always available when working with older laminate floors.
This is because the older laminate floors are fitted with adhesive to keep the joints tight and prevent their movement. If an adhesive has been used, you will see signs of glue on its edges. The presence of glue or adhesives makes it incredibly difficult to cut the laminate flooring and reuse it.
You might also get the glue between the subfloor and the laminate in some cases. Mostly, the laminate is stronger than the laminate floor itself, meaning it is more challenging to remove a glued laminate flooring.
If you do so, you are likely to damage either the face of connection points or the board. Therefore, while it is entirely possible to remove a glued laminate floor, it might not always be possible to reuse it. The success of removing and reusing laminate flooring depends on your precautions during the installation process. It also depends on how careful you are during the removal process.
Another essential factor you should consider is providing the right connecting system. In simpler terms, the tongue and groove or any joining system is used on the laminate floor. Ensure the connecting system is in excellent condition and can be lifted without causing damage.
In that case, it is entirely possible to relay the floor without any signs of it being re-laid or removed. Any damage to the joints, such as tearing or chipping, might result in gaps or pieces of laminate flooring not fitting correctly. Therefore, you should take your time and avoid forcing these pieces while separating the laminate boards.
Experts also advise that you should only reuse high-quality laminate flooring. It is not surprising that cheaper laminate is more susceptible to damage during either installation or removal. Such laminate flooring is less suitable for relaying or removing. Therefore, you should avoid working with low-quality laminate flooring that could affect the relaying process.
Can I Burn Laminate Flooring?
Laminate floorings have wooden materials in them that create a wooden texture. The presence of wood in laminate flooring makes some homeowners wonder if you can burn them.
It is possible to burn laminate flooring. As much as laminate flooring can burn, burning it is not a safe method of disposing of it since the upper layer contains aluminum oxide varnishing that can harm your health. This also increases the risk of environmental damage. Therefore, it is not a good idea to burn laminate flooring, especially if you are in small spaces.
The fact that laminate flooring is made of 80% wood makes some homeowners believe that it is safe to burn it down. This isn’t the case. The toxic chemicals emitted by the material could result in severe environmental and health damages. Therefore, you should look for other safe methods of disposing of laminate flooring instead of burning it.
Keep in mind that laminate flooring is not fireproof. This is because it comprises several joined layers of pressed wood fiber. It is also covered up in decorative foil that is flammable. The layers are then attached together with melamine resin and secured with a defensive coating.
The laminate flooring layers have formaldehyde and phenol that generate lethal gasses like nitrogen upon coming near the fire. This makes laminate flooring highly flammable. Even though it can burn, laminate flooring is categorized as mildly combustive because it burns slowly and will need low temperatures.
As much as laminate flooring is not fire-resistant, there are several ways you can protect it against fires. There are many cases of people accidentally burning their laminate flooring. This could leave burn marks on the floor surface, which significantly ruins its appearance. Thankfully, you can easily fix it.
For your convenience, the steps to fix both small and heavy burns are almost similar. To start, sand the affected areas lightly to remove the dark spots. For the best results, go with the texture and peel off the upper layer of the burnt surface.
Next, you should apply mineral oil. Use a soft pad to rub mineral oil on the burnt areas and scrub it with fine steel wool. Remember to maintain its texture to avoid overdoing it. Then, without digging in the laminate floor, gently extract the charred portions as much as you can.
After it has dried up, scrape out all the thin layers of wood until the entire residue is removed. This should leave your laminate flooring looking better. Remember to soak up the oil with a wet cloth and wipe the surface.
Then, using a utility knife, scrape the floor. It would help if you used the tip of the utility knife to scrape all residues on the floor. Ensure the surface maintains its texture. Lastly, wipe the burnt areas to get rid of dust or grime. You should also clean the areas thoroughly. Rub the floor with tung oil to restore its color and give it a shiny and polished look.
Can You Cut Laminate Flooring With a Miter Saw?
Laminate floors are more impact and scratch-resistant and tend to be stronger. These floors last longer than vinyl, carpet, and hardwood and can resist damage from boots, high heels, kids, and dogs. For that reason, some people wonder whether it is possible to cut laminate flooring with a miter saw.
It is possible to cut laminate flooring with a miter saw. Using a power miter saw is the easiest way to cut laminate flooring. Miter saws are available in varying sizes between 8-13 inches in diameter circular blades. When using miter saws, you can cut the laminate flooring in one motion, with the fence aligning the material to the blade for effective cuts.
While it is possible to use miter saws, some users wonder how you can cut a laminate board lengthwise. It is vital to know that cutting laminate flooring lengthwise is critical and needs maximum attention.
This is the case when the first and last laminate flooring rows are close to the wall. Even though it needs the maximum attention, cutting laminate flooring with a miter saw is a simple process that can take up to five minutes. However, to move the laminate flooring into position, you must use a pull-bar.
Choosing the correct miter saw is also crucial. It would help if you went for carbide-tipped blade saws, even when dealing with laminate flooring. It is recommended that you get a high-quality saw because you can resharpen it and reuse it when necessary — you don’t have to buy a new one, hence saving money.
You should research the internet for the best results and get miter saws with excellent customer ratings. It will help if you put spaces along the wall before using a miter saw to cut laminate flooring. This is vital because laminate is likely to expand due to humidity changes.
Then, lay down the board and ensure the tongue faces towards the wall. If you want to use a laminate cutter blade whose teeth orientation faces downwards, you should turn it upwards to cover the entire surface. If that is not the case, you can place it in such a way that its top faces downwards. This is beneficial because it ensures that all laminate flooring is covered and sliced adequately.
You can use a straight edge or laminate flooring board to guide the miter saw when cutting. In some cases, a clamp also comes in handy to help achieve the necessary cuts. Experts advise that you ensure your miter saw is above the cut line on either side.
This prevents causing damage to the floor of your house. Therefore, lock the laminate flooring board in position. Then cut the plank steadily while following the straight edge. After that, use the pull bar to put the laminate flooring board in the right position. This is necessary because it helps the laminate flooring connect perfectly with other flooring rows.
Can You Cut Laminate Flooring With a Utility Knife?
Laminate flooring is tough and rigid, making it an excellent option for those looking for reliable flooring. Even better, laminate flooring is also affordable and long-lasting. However, homeowners wonder if you can cut laminate flooring with a utility knife.
You can cut laminate flooring with a utility knife. A regular utility knife blade can be used to cut self-adhering and flexible laminate strip material. However, the caveat is that you must change the knife blade regularly to maintain a good cut. Remember that dull blades will not cut the laminate flooring effectively.
There are several steps you need to follow when cutting laminate flooring with a utility knife. The first step involves measuring the laminate planks to ensure they have the right level of thickness to cut.
Always go for an appropriate thickness level to avoid overcutting the laminate flooring. In the next step, place a piece of paper on top of the laminate plank and mark where you intend to make the first cut with your utility knife. Keep in mind that all cuts should always be 1/16″ away from the edge of the plank.
For the best results, you can use a straight cutting board to make your first cut — the board helps point out the cutting line, hence avoiding chunked-up boards. Then, make a line using your measuring tape and mark a point at 1/16 inches away from the laminate plank edge.
It is vital to ensure that all your measurements are accurate and precise. If everything is incorrect, go ahead and make your first cut. Make sure that you use a sharp utility knife to avoid inconveniences.
In the next step, place another piece of paper on top of the laminate plank. Like the first one, you should make a line mark with the marker 1/16 inches away from the laminate plank. Proceed to cut this paper the same way you did in the previous step.
Lastly, allow the edges of your laminate planks to form an even bond by letting them sit overnight. This is essential because it prevents any peeling or chipping off the edges. While utility knives can do an excellent job cutting laminate flooring, there are other better options you can consider. For instance, a power miter saw is a reliable way of cutting laminate flooring because its blades are sharp. You also don’t have to keep changing blades regularly.
Wrap Up
Laminate flooring has become a popular flooring option since its discovery in Sweden in the 1970s. This flooring method is ideal because it is long-lasting and goes at an affordable price. You can reuse laminate flooring if you remove it properly. This is possible because most modern-day laminate flooring is not attached to the subfloor.
Even though it is possible to burn laminate flooring, it is not an ideal way of disposing of laminate. Laminate flooring can burn because it contains a substantial amount of wood. Experts don’t recommend burning laminate flooring because it emits chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
