How to Install Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring can offer your floors a beautiful new look with very minimal effort. Before installing your laminate floors it is important to clean the subfloor and remove all base molding. This prepares the area you plan to install the laminate flooring in. 

You will also want to install a vapor barrier, which needs to be done one row at a time. Start from the longest wall of the room. The manufacturer typically provides directions. Next, be sure to trim door jambs, so the flooring can easily slide under the jamb. The easiest way to do this is by using a flat saw.

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Now you are ready to begin installing the first row of laminate.

Installing the Laminate Flooring

When installing the laminate flooring, it is best to lay planks parallel to the longest wall. When installing your planks, place the first plank along the groove of the plank facing the wall. Use .5” spacers against the wall. Place your first plank against this. The spaces serve to create an expansion gap in the event the floor needs to breathe, so the floor does not warp.

You will cover the gap later with molding. Spacers also provide a base to install against. The spacers should be placed every 1’ along the wall at the edge of the plank of adjoining walls. For each plank that you install, be sure to match the groove and tap each groove into place. You can do this using scrap flooring so that planks are protected. 

All pieces should fit well together without gaps along the lengths of the planks. 

Stagger the joints of your flooring together. When beginning new rows of flooring make sure to offset each row from six to eight inches so the joints at the end are not aligned row-to-row. This can make your floor weak. You will need to trim the last plan to fit, and then install the floor ends and thresholds of your laminate that the floor butts up against. You can then remove your spacers and put base molding in to cover your expansion gaps.