Installation
Abrasion Class (AC) Ratings are denoted in five levels, labeled AC1 - AC5
These first two are not produced by Mohawk Flooring:
- AC1 is for home use with minimal traffic, like bedrooms or closets.
- AC2 is suitable for moderate-traffic home use like living rooms and dining rooms.
- AC3 is ideal for higher traffic and heavy-use residential areas like kitchens or laundry rooms, and can be used in limited light commercial applications
- AC4 is designed for light commercial use like small retail shops
- AC5 is the heaviest rating, used in larger commercial settings with high traffic
What tools do I need?
Limited tools are needed to cut and finish the install:
- Level or string to validate the flatness of your subfloor
- Moisture test kit for concrete subfloor
- Power saw recommended with carbide tips (laminate surface is very hard)
- Jigsaw may be needed for difficult cuts
- Speed square for marking cut lines
- Tape measure
- Install kit is recommended for tapping block and spacers
- Caulk gun to apply sealant in expansion gaps near water sources
For moldings these additional items are required:
- Power or manual Philips head screw driver for transition installation
- Hammer or nailer for quarter round / wall base installation
We provide easy to follow instructions.
- How to Install Laminate on the Floor
- How to Install Laminate on the Wall
- Installation Videos
- Each carton includes basic install instructions
- Prepare room in advance by removing carpet (tack strips and nails too), vinyl if torn or worn through, tiles if damaged or uneven
- ALWAYS ACCLIMATE YOUR FLOOR IN PACKAGE IN THE INSTALL AREA FOR MINIMUM OF 48 HOURS
- The average room of 250-300 sf should take less than 1 day to install
- A more complex install of halls, multiple doorways & angles will add time
Now you have selected your floor, what more is required?
- Underlayment is a required if not pre-attached
- Vapor barrier is required over all concrete subfloors
- Installation kit to facilitate installation
- 4-in-1 transitions for doorways, sliding doors or transitions to hard surface or carpet floors
- Stair nose for drop down transitions
- Quarter round or wall base for final trim at perimeter
How do I keep my floor looking new?
Laminate floor today is easy to care for and we recommend the following:
- Use walk on/walk off mats at all outside doors to catch grit and dirt
- Use a good quality microfiber dust mop or vacuum with a hard surface attachment
- Check the head is free of metal burrs, screws or trim that could scratch the floor
- We do not recommend a beater bar attachment be used
Small cleanups can be resolved using a homemade mix
- In a 32 oz. spray bottle mix either ¼ cup of vinegar OR 2 tsp of non-sudsy ammonia
- Fill bottle with distilled water
- Spritz the area and clear with a clean towel or microfiber mop
Mopping the floor using the same homemade solution
- A gallon of hot water with 1 cup of vinegar or 1/3 cup of non-sudsy ammonia
- Wring out the mop so it just dampens, then clean the floor
- Rinse the mop regularly to remove any grit which could scratch the floor
Should a spills occur, don’t panic!
- Clean spills up as quick as possible and no lasting damage should occur
- All spills should be cleaned within 30 minutes to prevent damage below the floor
