Laminate flooring has become a popular choice for DIY enthusiasts due to its attractive appearance, durability, and relatively straightforward installation process. With its “click-lock” or “tongue-and-groove” systems, many laminate products can be installed as a “floating floor” without the need for glue or nails, making it an accessible project for beginners. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to successfully install laminate flooring, ensuring a professional-looking finish.
Before you begin, ensure you have all the necessary tools and materials. This typically includes the laminate planks, underlayment (if not pre-attached), a tape measure, utility knife, tapping block, pull bar, spacers, a hammer, a jigsaw or circular saw, and safety glasses.
Step 1: Acclimatization and Subfloor Preparation
Proper preparation is key to a successful laminate flooring installation.
- Acclimatization: Unpack your laminate planks and lay them flat in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours (or as per manufacturer’s instructions). This allows the planks to adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity, preventing warping or gapping after installation.
- Subfloor Inspection: The subfloor must be clean, dry, and perfectly level. Sweep or vacuum thoroughly to remove all debris. Check for any unevenness (more than 1/8 inch over 10 feet) and address it. Use a self-leveling compound for dips or sand down high spots.
- Moisture Barrier/Underlayment: If your laminate doesn’t have a pre-attached underlayment, roll out a moisture barrier and/or foam underlayment across the entire subfloor. This provides a moisture barrier, sound dampening, and a slight cushion. Overlap seams by a few inches and tape them together.
Step 2: Plan Your Layout
Planning the layout helps minimize waste and ensures an aesthetically pleasing result.
- Direction: Decide which direction the planks will run. Laying them parallel to the longest wall often makes a room appear larger and can be easier to install.
- Starting Wall: Choose your starting wall. It’s often best to start with the longest, straightest wall, especially if it’s a prominent feature.
- First Row Width: Measure the width of your room and divide it by the width of a laminate plank. If the last row will be very narrow (less than 2-3 inches), consider cutting your first row planks lengthwise to make both the first and last rows wider and more balanced.
- Expansion Gaps: Laminate floors expand and contract with temperature and humidity. You must leave an expansion gap (usually 1/4 to 3/8 inch) around the entire perimeter of the room, including against walls, doorframes, and cabinets. Use spacers to maintain this gap.
Step 3: Lay the First Row
- Cut the First Plank: Start by cutting off the tongue of the first plank along the long side that will face the wall. This creates a clean, straight edge.
- Placement: Place the first plank in a corner, with the cut edge facing the wall. Insert spacers between the plank and the wall to maintain the expansion gap.
- Connecting Planks: Take the next plank, angle its tongue into the groove of the first plank, and press down firmly to click it into place. Continue across the wall.
- End Cuts: When you reach the end of the first row, measure and cut the last plank to fit, remembering to leave an expansion gap. The leftover piece (if it’s at least 8-12 inches long) can often be used to start the next row, creating a staggered pattern.
Step 4: Lay Subsequent Rows
- Staggering Joints: To create a natural, stable floor and prevent H-joints (where end seams align), always stagger the end joints of adjacent rows by at least 8-12 inches. Use the cut-off piece from the previous row to start a new row if it’s long enough.
- Clicking Together: Angle the long side of the new plank into the groove of the previous row’s plank, press down, and then gently tap the short end with a tapping block and hammer to ensure a tight fit.
- Working Around Obstacles: For doorframes, pipes, or irregular shapes, measure carefully and use a jigsaw to cut the planks. You may need to undercut doorframes to slide the laminate underneath for a clean finish.
Step 5: Install the Last Row
- Measure and Cut: The last row often needs to be cut lengthwise. Measure the distance from the second-to-last row to the wall, subtract the expansion gap, and cut the planks accordingly.
- Fitting: Use a pull bar and hammer to gently tap the last row into place, ensuring a tight fit against the previous row. Remember to maintain the expansion gap against the wall.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
- Remove Spacers: Once the entire floor is laid, remove all the spacers around the perimeter.
- Install Trim: Install baseboards, quarter-round molding, or transition strips to cover the expansion gaps and provide a finished look. Nail these moldings into the wall, not into the laminate flooring, to allow for expansion and contraction.
- Clean Up: Clean the new floor with a damp mop or vacuum.
Installing laminate flooring is a rewarding project that can significantly transform your home. By following these steps carefully and taking your time, even a beginner can achieve beautiful, durable results.