How to Install Laminate Flooring

How to Install Laminate Flooring

1. Dry-Fit the Flooring Layout

   Test-fit some laminate planks to see how they will lay out in the room. There is no need to dry-fit all of the planks. Arrange the planks side by side across the room; no need to lock the joints now. Pull up the planks and stack them in a nearby area.

2. Install the Underlayment (Optional)

   For laminate flooring without attached underlayment, roll out sheets of foam underlayment. Butt the edges and secure the seams with tape or with the attached peel-and-stick adhesive edges.

   Tip

   Underlayment absorbs sound, provides a thermal barrier, and bridges minor gaps and bumps on the underlying floor.

3. Cut and Lay the First Row of Planks

   • Trim off the tongues of the boards for the first row abutting the wall.
   • Lay the first row on the longest wall with the trimmed edges of the planks against the wall.
   • Maintain a space of about 1/4- to 3/8-inch from the wall.
   • If any planks need to be cut in this first row, keep the cut pieces no less than 16 inches long.

4. Finish the First Row

   • As the last plank will be too long, measure the length needed and transfer that measurement to a full-size plank.
   • Cut the plank to length.
   • Retain the cut-off end as this will form the first plank in the second row,
   • Fit the final cut piece into the first row of flooring.
   • Secure the tongue-and-groove end joint as before.

5. Lay Out Rows in Staggered Fashion

   As the rows proceed, lay them so that they have a staggered, sawtooth appearance so that seams never line up in adjacent rows.

6. Continue Laying More Rows

   • Install the planks for the second and subsequent rows by holding each piece at a 45-degree angle.
   • Insert the long tongue edge into the groove of the planks in the adjoining row.
   • Lower the piece flat to the floor to lock the joint.
   • Tap the piece into its neighbor in the same row with the hammer and tapping block or pull bar.

7. Install the Last Row

   • Mark the planks in the last row with the pencil for lengthwise ripping (making sure to allow for the 1/4-inch expansion gap).
   • Rip the final row of planks using a circular saw, table saw, or jigsaw. 
   • Install the last row of ripped planks using the same tongue-and-groove fitting technique.
   • Complete the installation by removing all spacers.
   • Install baseboard molding along the room's perimeter. The molding will hide the gaps along the walls. 

   Tip

   Use a long straightedge, a T-square, or a chalk line to mark the long cutting lines for rip cuts running the length of flooring planks. Use a Speed Square, or try square to mark lines for crosscuts.

Tips for Cutting Laminate Flooring

Cutting laminate flooring is easy because the planks are thin and the material is relatively soft. Tips for cutting laminate flooring include:

• Use a table saw to produce precise, square cuts.
• Use a circular saw, jigsaw, handsaw, or utility knife if a table saw isn't available.
• Fine-tooth saw blades produce better cuts with less chipping of the laminate surface. 
• For notches, curves, and other custom cuts, a jigsaw is best.
• Minimize chipping on the flooring surface by cutting on the backside.

Common Mistakes When Laying Laminate Flooring

For best results, avoid these mistakes when installing laminate flooring by doing the following:

• Orient the planks lengthwise with the room's longest walls. 
• Stagger the boards in the layout. Aligning seams will compromise the structural stability of the flooring.
• Remove the baseboards (don't try to install laminate against the baseboards).
• Avoid installing laminate flooring on top of cushioned flooring, such as foam-backed vinyl flooring.

How to Clean Laminate Floors