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Removing laminate flooring is fairly straightforward compared to removing other types of flooring. The planks click and lock into place, so you can pry them loose without much fuss. If you plan to reuse your flooring, you must be careful not to damage the plank or the locking mechanism that keeps it in place. If it’s in good condition, you can reuse it in another room.

While not always required, experts recommend removing baseboards before removing old carpet and installing a new one. This practice leads to a smoother process and a cleaner, more professional-looking finish. Removing the baseboards allows for a seamless carpet installation without the risk of damaging either the carpet or the trim. It also provides a good opportunity to repaint or stain the baseboards and inspect the underlying wall for any issues. If you prefer a quicker option, you can carefully cut the old carpet along the edge of the baseboards, but this may result in a less polished installation for the new carpet.

Many doorways feature two door jambs. These are installed on both sides of a doorway to prevent the door from swinging too far. Door jambs usually stop the door at 180 degrees when closed.  A doorway floor transition sits between the door jambs on the floor, helping to create a safer and more aesthetically pleasing transition from one flooring type to the next. 

Whether you install flooring before or after kitchen cabinets depends primarily on the type of flooring you are using. For materials like hardwood, tile, and sheet flooring, the best practice is to install the flooring first. This ensures the cabinets are installed at the correct height and on a stable surface. However, you should not install cabinets on top of floating floors, such as laminate or luxury vinyl plank (LVP). These types of flooring need room to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Placing heavy cabinets on top can restrict this movement, potentially causing the floor to buckle and making the cabinets unstable. For floating floors, install the cabinets first and then lay the flooring up to them. Other reasons to consider installing cabinets before the flooring include saving money on materials (since you won't need flooring under the cabinets) and avoiding potential damage to your new floor during cabinet installation. Additionally, installing cabinets directly on the subfloor might prevent voiding your flooring's warranty.