Steps for Installing Laminate Flooring

Project Summary

• Duration of Work: 4 hours
• Overall Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Output: 200 square feet of area

• Proficiency Level: Novice
• Projected Expense: Between $600 and $1,200

Installing laminate flooring is a straightforward DIY task that can typically be finished within a few hours, depending on the room’s dimensions. This type of flooring is ideal for DIY enthusiasts, as the planks interlock easily, eliminating the need for nails or glue, and can be easily trimmed using a hand saw or utility knife.

Prior to Starting

Achieving a polished appearance for your laminate flooring starts with thorough preparation.

• Begin with a level, even, and tidy surface, like a subfloor. It is permissible to install laminate flooring over an existing floor covering, provided that it is stable and smooth.
• Begin by installing a foam underlayment if the laminate flooring lacks a pre-attached underlayment.
• Eliminate or flatten any nails or screws that are sticking out.
• Apply the liquid leveling compound to the areas that are lower.
• Install a moisture barrier in areas like basements or bathrooms that are susceptible to dampness.
• Take off all moldings and baseboards.
• Lift the heating registers to remove them, as they are typically not secured in place.
• Trim the door casings at the bottom to match the final height of the floor using an undercut jamb saw.
• Clean the entire floor by sweeping and/or vacuuming.
• Buy additional flooring beyond the required amount to accommodate for cuts and waste, typically around 10% more.

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Requirements for Your Task

Devices / Instruments

• Table saw, reciprocating saw, or manual saw.
• Box cutter
• Hammer
• Tapping block or pull rod
• Rubber hammer
• Measuring tape
• Straight ruler
• Speed Square
• Pencil
• Jamb saw with an undercut design

Materials

• Laminate floor covering
• Wooden spacers made from leftover materials
• Subflooring and adhesive tape (if necessary)

Instructions

Steps for Installing Laminate Flooring

Test the flooring arrangement without permanent installation.

Try laying out a few laminate planks to visualize their arrangement in the space. It’s unnecessary to fit every plank at this stage. Position the planks next to each other throughout the room without locking the joints at this point. Once done, remove the planks and place them in a nearby location.

Apply the Underlayment (Optional)

For laminate flooring that does not come with pre-attached underlayment, lay down foam underlayment sheets. Ensure the edges meet closely and fasten the seams using tape or the built-in peel-and-stick adhesive edges.

Tip

Underlayment helps to dampen noise, offers insulation against temperature changes, and smooths out small imperfections and unevenness in the floor beneath it.

Trim and Position the Initial Row of Boards

• Remove the tongues from the boards in the initial row that will be placed against the wall.
• Position the initial row along the longest wall, ensuring the cut edges of the boards are aligned with the wall.
• Keep a gap of approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inches away from the wall.
• If any boards require cutting in the initial row, ensure that the resulting pieces are at least 16 inches in length.

Complete the Initial Row

• Since the final plank will be excessively long, determine the required length and mark that measurement on a full-sized plank.
• Trim the board to the desired size.
• Keep the trimmed end, as it will serve as the initial board in the next row.
• Insert the last cut piece into the initial row of the flooring.
• Fasten the tongue-and-groove end joint as previously done.

Arrange Rows in an Offset Manner

As you continue laying the rows, arrange them in a staggered, sawtooth pattern to ensure that the seams do not align with those in the rows next to them.

Keep Adding Additional Rows

• Position the planks for the second and following rows by angling each piece at 45 degrees.
• Place the extended tongue edge into the slot of the boards in the neighboring row.
• Place the piece flat on the ground to secure the joint.
• Use the hammer and tapping block or pull bar to gently tap the piece against the adjacent one in the same row.

Place the Final Row.

• Use a pencil to mark the boards in the final row for cutting along the length, ensuring to include a 1/4-inch gap for expansion.
• Cut the last row of boards with a circular saw, table saw, or jigsaw.
• Place the final row of damaged boards by employing the same tongue-and-groove installation method.
• Finish the installation by taking out all the spacers.
• Place baseboard trim around the edges of the room. This trim will conceal the spaces between the walls.

Tip

Utilize a long straightedge, a T-square, or a chalk line to delineate the extended cutting lines for rip cuts along the length of the flooring boards. For crosscuts, employ a Speed Square or a try square to indicate the lines.

Advice for Trimming Laminate Flooring

Trimming laminate flooring is a straightforward task due to the thinness of the planks and the softness of the material. Here are some suggestions for effectively cutting laminate flooring:

• Utilize a table saw to achieve accurate, right-angled cuts.
• If a table saw isn’t accessible, you can utilize a circular saw, jigsaw, handsaw, or utility knife.
• Blades with fine teeth create smoother cuts while minimizing chipping on the laminate surface.
• A jigsaw is the ideal tool for making notches, curves, and various custom cuts.
• Reduce the risk of chipping on the floor by making cuts on the reverse side.

Frequent Errors to Avoid When Installing Laminate Flooring

To achieve optimal results, steer clear of these errors during the installation of laminate flooring by following these guidelines:

• Align the boards along the length of the room’s longest walls.
• Offset the boards in the arrangement. Aligning the seams can weaken the flooring’s structural integrity.
• Take off the baseboards (avoid installing laminate next to the baseboards).
• Refrain from placing laminate flooring over cushioned surfaces like foam-backed vinyl.

Is it possible for a novice to install laminate flooring?

Putting in laminate flooring is an easy DIY task suitable for novices. It doesn’t demand any specialized skills, and the necessary tools are quite simple, including a hand saw, a ruler, a tape measure, and a utility knife. Typically, a beginner can complete the installation in a small space within a day or two.

Is it necessary to place anything beneath laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring typically includes a built-in underlayment, eliminating the need for extra underlayment. However, in locations where moisture can rise, like concrete surfaces, an extra vapor barrier is necessary.

Is it necessary to glue down laminate flooring?

Certain varieties of laminate flooring may require adhesive for installation. However, the majority of laminate floors are designed as floating floors, where the planks are connected to each other but not secured to the subfloor. Therefore, this type of laminate flooring does not necessitate the use of glue.

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