Congratulations, you’ve officially purchased your laminate floors! Now it’s time to learn how to install them.
Not to worry! We’re here to take you through each step and determine the best course of action for your installation journey. From the moment you’re preparing the subfloors to when you’re laying down the very last row of laminate flooring, we’ve got you covered!
Now grab your tool bag and follow us!
What Is Laminate Flooring?
Before we begin, let’s define what laminate flooring is. This will help to better communicate why it needs to be installed and in what way.
Laminate flooring is best defined as a type of flooring made to authentically replicate stone, tile, and hardwood floors. It’s also comprised of the following four layers.
· Back layer
· Core layer
· Design layer
· Wear layer
Because of these four layers, this type of flooring is known to be durable and strong when compared to other flooring materials.
The Materials You Need To Begin
Now that we know the basics of laminate flooring, let’s get prepared to install some of this beautiful flooring into your home by gathering the following materials. Each of these tools or materials will make the process go much smoother and more efficiently.
· A chalk box
· A table saw (if desired)
· Handsaw, jigsaw, or circular saw
· A pencil
· A speed square
· Straightedge
· Measuring tape
· A pull bar or tapping block
· A hammer
· A utility knife
Gathered your tools? Let’s begin!
The Steps To Installing Laminate Flooring
Let’s officially begin! In just nine steps, you’ll have beautiful laminate flooring glistening across your home or workspace. Ready?
Step 1: Take Out The Baseboards
First things first! Before the actual installation can begin, it’s important to take out all of the baseboards and trim circling the entire area of the room. This even includes any spaces that have room for air conditioning or heating appliances.
Once this is all removed, go ahead and vacuum up all of the flying dust or debris laying on the ground. You don’t want any unnecessary dirt in the way of the installation.
Step 2: Prepare The Subfloor For Installation
It’s vital for the initial subfloor or any floor surface to be as evenly smooth, flat, and clean as possible. While it won’t hurt the laminate flooring, if you install it over more rough ground, it will bring more comfort to your feet and legs if the ground is smooth.
To accomplish this, all you have to do is add an additional foam underlayment as the base. If you notice any actual floor unevenness or damage, make sure to lay down a more rigid underlayment instead. This can be a thin layer of plywood that can then be placed under the foam sheets.
Step 3: Examine The Layout For The Floor
It’s always a good idea to test the layout of the floor and make sure everything fits accordingly. If the room is on the smaller side, then it’s known to be much easier to use the actual floor to measure rather than calculate it out.
You can do this by moving each plank across the floor and then locking the joints together. Just make sure the ends are not locked. Otherwise, it can become difficult to undo, especially if the materials are tightly positioned on the floor.
After you have a good understanding of where you want the planks to go, then you can remove them and continue on to the next step.
Step 4: Put Down Either The Vapor Barrier Or Underlayment
Now it’s time to roll out the underlayment or vapor barrier in order to protect the floors. If the floor happens to be prone to moisture, then a vapor layer needs to be present. This will protect against the potential of any water seeping in from the surface.
Place down the rolls of underlayment, and make sure the edges are up against each other. You don’t want there to be any overlapping or negative space. Once you have it where you want, paste the underlayment with tape or the adhesives that come with the product. Then make sure to trim away any excess product to keep it out of the way.
Step 5: Now You Can Begin Putting Down The First Row of Planks
It’s go time! Start putting down the first row of planks! Achieve this by trimming down the first set of tongues on the planks. Make sure not to mistake them for the grooves. Then start lining the boards along the edge of the first wall.
Keep the trimmed edges along the side of the wall as you move down the first row. It’s best to start from the right side and then work down to your left. When you lay a full-size plank against the wall, make sure to space it about ¼ to 3/8 of an inch away. Then place any spacers that are derived from scrap wood between the flooring and wall to keep the gap that was made.
Continue to work your way down the line of planks. Lock in each piece with the use of a hammer in order to stabilize them together as one.
Step 6: Finish Off The First Row
Normally, when the first row is near the end of completion, the last plank will be much too long. Measure the length that you need, and ensure that you use the tongue part of the plank to attach to the next full plank. You can then cut it using the saws you have on hand.
Next, fit in that last piece at the end of the first row.
Step 7: Now You Can Prepare For The Following Rows
Keep in mind that as you move through each row, the last plank in each one will continue to be cut off. You’ll notice that each row will begin to look staggered, which is perfect because it makes the flooring appear to be more natural. It also adds to the fact that the floors will be much more stable.
As you continue to plan out the rest of the flooring, make sure that you don’t cut any of the pieces to be less than 16 inches long.
Step 8: Continue On To The Other Rows
After you finish planning out the rest of your row and reconfiguring them, keep laying them down. Use somewhat of a different technique to make sure that the first row isn’t identical to the second or third.
Hold the planks at 45 degrees, and place the end with the long tongue into the groove of the planks that will be in the following row.
Step 9: Move On To Installing The Last Row
You’ll most likely need to rip your last row of planks to finish the installation. Do so and continue to leave a ¼ inch gap.
Complete your installation by then removing all of the spacers and then installing the baseboards back onto the edge of the room. Any gaps should be hidden by the floor molding.
Our Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Nine simple steps for simply beautiful laminate floors! We find that with the above nine steps, your DIY laminate floor installation journey can be accomplished with ease and efficiency. Best of all, laminate flooring is one of the easiest types of floors to install in a home or office space. You don’t need the manpower of an entire team to create a beautiful living space!
Laminate flooring is able to provide some amazing benefits too. Not only is it known for its durability and strength, but it’s also known for being waterproof. Additionally, with it being offered in such a wide variety of different hardwood color stains, it can easily fit into the design scheme of so many personal styles. So, choose what best suits your tastes, preferences, and home aesthetics, and go for it!
Sources:
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-lay-laminate-flooring-1822250
https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/tools-for-laminate-flooring-installation/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/207306
https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/remodeling/question154.htm
