As society has evolved, the laminate wood flooring industry has grown over the years and it has become a standard part of the flooring decor in most home renovations. If your laminate wood flooring has worn out over the years, or the style has become outdated, it may be time to make a change.

So before we explain how to safely remove laminate wood flooring, it is important to understand the two types of laminate wood flooring:glued laminate or floating laminate.

(1) Glued laminate is wood planks that are glued together using glue. Removal can be slightly tricky because sometimes the glue can seep under the planks and stick to the floor. This means that this glue may have to be melted, but we'll cover that later.

(2) Glued laminate is the use of glue to hold the boards together. Removal can be slightly tricky because sometimes the glue will seep under the boards and stick to the floor. This means that this glue may have to be melted, but we'll cover that later.

1. Advantages of removing laminate wood flooring.

The main advantage of laminate flooring removal is obviously the money you will save, but other benefits are the confidence you will have in learning new skills and the reward of looking at the finished product with pride when the job is done. It's worth noting that when purchasing tools for a job, you can still purchase them for future projects. On top of that, the cost of the tools may even be less than what you would be quoted if you used an outside company to remove the floor. Speaking of tools, here's the list of what you'll need.

(1) hammer; (2) chisel; (3) gloves; (4) goggles; (5) pry bar; (6) pliers; (7) protective shoes; (8) floor scraper (if using glue); (9) heat gun (if using glue).

2. Before removing laminate wood flooring before.

Remove all furniture from the room so that you can get good access to the floor. If you want to reuse the laminate flooring, it is best to clean it first and lift it with extra care, making sure not to mark it.

Don't forget, safety first! Always remember to wear protective clothing, especially to cover your eyes and hands, as splinters are common in floor removal and it is best to cover your hands from the sharp edges of the planks.

3. Steps to take when removing laminate wood flooring.

(1) Remove the skirting.

This will greatly speed up the process. Starting with the door, use a chisel wedge to wedge the chisel between the wall and the skirting. Then tap the top of the chisel with a hammer to pry the boards away from the wall, making sure to mark them as you go to help you reinstall them at the end. Move around the room, using the claws of the hammer to remove any nails along the way. If they are loose nails sticking out, you can use pliers to bend the nails at a 90 degree angle and pull them out for added security.

(2) Preparation phase.

The glued laminate should soften the glue, so mop the floor before prying the boards apart. Using a floor scraper, you may need to run it at a 30 degree angle along the surface to remove any remaining adhesive residue.

Floating laminates look for transition pieces, which are usually located in doorways, where the floor moves from one room to another or transitions. Use a pry bar to pry it away from the floor or use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding it in place, depending on the type of transition piece you have. This will expose a U-shaped or C-shaped trap underneath that will also need to be removed, usually with a screwdriver to make room for you to lift the plank.

(3) Raise the laminate flooring.

Now that you have clear access to the wood, either near the wall or at the transition point, look for the tongue portion of the wood. It is easier to lift the wood from the tongue section than from a board with a groove. Take your chisel an

d wedge it between the floor and the plank at a 45 degree angle. Use it to untangle the boards.If the boards are stuck together, you may need to pull the boards toward you by hand at a 90-degree angle until you can hear and see the glue stuck. Repeat this process by working down the first row of panels.

(4) Remove the remaining laminate flooring.

Continue this process, repeating it for each row of boards until you have removed them all. The more boards you lift, the easier the process will become as you become more familiar with the technique.

Once all the planks have been lifted, you only need to remove the remaining subfloor, making sure to use a floor scraper or heat gun to remove any adhesive to help you. If you have a floating floor, you may need to use an orbital sander to help you prepare the floor underneath the mat or subfloor.

(5) Final touch-ups.

Vacuum the floor with a wet/dry vacuum to remove any or loose material. The area is now ready for a new laminate floor.

This is all you need to know about how to safely remove laminate wood flooring. If you need more detailed information, feel free to contact us!