Vinyl Plank (LVP) Installation
Luxury vinyl plank installed from tear-out to the last row: removal, slab prep, planks supplied and laid.
Laminate floors
Laminate Flooring Installation in Orlando, FL
A wood look with a tough, scratch-resistant surface.
KPC Flooring installs laminate floors in Orlando and nearby cities. We pull the old floor, level the subfloor, lay the underlayment and supply the planks.
- Tear-out and leveling
- Underlayment included
- Laminate supplied
Why homeowners choose laminate
Laminate is a layered plank: a high-density fiberboard core, a photographic wood image, and a tough clear wear layer on top. That top layer resists scratches and dents well, which is why households with dogs and kids often like it. It feels firm underfoot, and good laminate looks convincingly like wood, embossed grain included.
Its weak spot is standing water. Because the core is wood-based, a puddle left sitting can swell the edges. Many newer products resist surface spills for hours, but laminate still belongs in rooms that stay mostly dry.
LVP vs laminate
Laminate and vinyl plank are often compared, and neither wins every category.
| Laminate | Vinyl plank (LVP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Wood-based fiberboard | Solid vinyl composite |
| Water | Resists spills; standing water can swell it | Copes with wet spills and damp areas better |
| Scratches and dents | Hard melamine top that resists scratches | Good; depends on the wear layer |
| Feel and sound | Firm; underlayment controls the click-clack | Softer and quieter underfoot |
| Good fit | Dens, family rooms, homes with dogs | Rooms that may get wet, large continuous areas |
Why laminate needs a flat subfloor
Laminate floats: the planks lock to each other, not to the slab. Over a hump or a dip, the locking edges flex every time someone walks across, and over months that shows up as gaps, peaked joints or a hollow, bouncy feel.
So we level before we install. High spots are ground down, low spots filled, and self-leveling compound poured where a wider area is out of plane. Then the underlayment goes down, followed by the planks, with a gap left at every wall.
- Check the floor for highs and lows
- Grind, patch, or self-level
- Roll out the underlayment
- Click the planks together, leaving room at the walls
Underlayment and the hollow sound
The most common complaint about laminate is noise: a hollow, clicky sound under hard shoes. Thicker planks help, but the underlayment does most of the work. Foam, felt and cork underlays each dampen sound differently, and over concrete the pad also needs a moisture barrier, either built in or as a separate sheet.
If you live in a condo or townhome, check whether your association sets a sound rating for floors before you choose; the underlayment can then be chosen to meet it.
What affects laminate flooring installation cost
Laminate comes in a wide range of thicknesses and finishes. Labor depends mostly on what's found under the current floor.
- Area, number of rooms and closets
- The laminate and underlayment you choose
- Tearing out the old floor, especially ceramic
- How much leveling the subfloor needs
- Trim, transitions and any stairs
Keeping laminate looking good
Most laminate damage comes from grit and water. Grit tracked in from the yard acts like a fine abrasive under shoes, and water left on the seams can soak into the core. A few habits go a long way:
- Sweep or vacuum often, on a hard-floor setting
- Clean with a barely damp mop, never a soaking one, and skip steam mops
- Avoid wax and oil soaps, which leave a dull haze
- Add felt pads under chair and table legs
- Use mats at exterior doors, especially from the pool deck or garage
Laminate installation questions
What does laminate installation cost?
It depends on the laminate and underlayment, the size of the area, what has to be torn out and how much leveling the subfloor needs. We measure and check the floor during a free in-home estimate before giving you a number.
Is laminate waterproof?
Some products are sold as water-resistant and handle everyday spills. But the core is wood-based, and standing water can still damage it. For rooms that get wet, vinyl plank is usually the better option.
Should I choose laminate or vinyl plank?
Laminate has a harder surface and a firmer feel; vinyl plank copes with water better and is quieter. It comes down to the rooms, your household and the look you want. We bring samples of both.
Is laminate good with dogs?
Its hard wear layer stands up to claw scratches well. Accidents should be wiped up promptly, since moisture left at the seams is what hurts laminate.
Do you install underlayment?
Yes. Laminate goes over an underlayment unless the plank comes with one attached. The right one depends on the product and the subfloor; over a slab, it also has to block moisture.
What thickness of laminate should I get?
Thicker planks tend to feel more solid, sound less hollow and bridge tiny imperfections a little better. The AC rating printed on the packaging tells you how much traffic the surface is built for. We help you compare a few samples side by side.
Why does my old laminate sound hollow or have gaps?
Often because it was laid over an uneven floor, so the joints flex. That's why the subfloor gets leveled before new planks go down.
Does laminate go into closets and under cabinets?
Closets are usually included so the floor continues without a break. Where cabinets, built-ins or heavy fixtures sit, laminate goes around them rather than under, because a floating floor needs room to move.
How long does a laminate installation take?
It depends on the area and on the tear-out and prep. Carpeted rooms over a flat slab go faster than a floor that starts as ceramic. You'll get a schedule when we visit.
Can you repair laminate that got wet?
We do repairs for homeowners, including water damage, but installation is what we mainly do. Swollen laminate usually can't be dried back to flat, so call (407) 427-8271, describe the damage, and we'll explain your options.
Have a question that is not answered here? Call and ask — se habla español.
Call (407) 427-8271Still deciding between laminate and vinyl?
Call (407) 427-8271 and we'll bring samples of both, so you can compare them on your own floor.