How to Add an Island on a Swiftlock Laminate Floor

On the Floor

• Adding an island on top of a Swiftlock laminate floor allows you to rearrange your kitchen without removing the floor. This process requires the installation of four L-shaped pieces of wood into your Swiftlock laminate floor, one where each corner of the island will go. After drilling or nailing these pieces to the floor, place the island over them so that each L-shaped piece fits snugly on the inside of each corner of the island. Fix the island to each of these pieces of wood with screws or nails.

In the Floor

• Adding an island in the floor itself requires removing a large enough portion of your Swiftlock laminate flooring to fit the island. Ideally, you should build or purchase an island with bottom measurements equal to a specific number of laminate floorboards. This way, you can avoid cutting and shaping the floorboards for installation. After removing the floorboards, attach the island to the subfloor with mortar, wood glue or fasteners, such as brackets, screws, bolts, nails or pins. After installation, reinstall your Swiftlock flooring around the base of the island and cut it, if necessary, to fit. Apply waterproof caulk or another sealant at the juncture of the island and the floor.

Structural Considerations

• If you're installing a standard counter top kitchen island, all you'll need to deal with is the basic installation. However, if you have an island with a cook top, dishwasher, sink or oven, you will need to consider electrical and plumbing hookups and possibly a gas line. With these types of islands, you must go through the floor to the subfloor in order to route electrical, plumbing and/or gas lines to the island. Never attempt to connect these components, particularly gas or electrical lines, without assistance unless you have the experience or training to do so.

Preparation

• Always check your local building codes before installing an island in your kitchen, especially if you're working with the plumbing, electrical and/or gas lines. Also read through the manual for your Swiftlock laminate floor before beginning. Armstrong, the flooring manufacturer, stipulates that its Swiftlock floorboards can only withstand islands that weigh 250 pounds or less -- heavier island must sit on the subfloor, not the laminate flooring itself. Armstrong also suggests drilling pilot holes 1/2-inch more in diameter than any screw you plan to use to allow for expansion of the floor.