How to Install Laminate Flooring

Preparation for Laying Laminate Flooring

Installing laminate flooring is a great DIY project that can transform any room. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with the process of installing laminate flooring, including laminate flooring for stairs.

Acclimatising Your Laminate

Before laying laminate flooring, let the planks acclimate to the room’s conditions. Place the unopened boxes in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours. Maintain a steady room temperature during this period.

Preparing the Subfloor

Ensure the subfloor is clean, dry, and level. Sweep, vacuum, and if necessary, wash the subfloor, allowing it to dry completely. The floor must have no more than a 3mm deviation over a 1m area to ensure a smooth installation process.

What You’ll Need To Lay Laminate Flooring

• Tape Measure
• Spirit Level
• Workbench
• Hand Saw or Electric Saw
• Combination Square
• Pencil
• Fitting Wedges / Spacers
• Rubber Mallet

Safety Precautions

Safety is paramount when installing laminate flooring. Wear padded knee pads to protect your knees, safety goggles, and dust masks when sawing boards. If you’re using power tools, ear defenders are also recommended.

Do You Need Underlay For Laminate Flooring

Yes, underlay is essential for laminate flooring. It provides soundproofing, insulation, and a moisture barrier. Here are some options:

• Acoustic Underlay: Ideal for upstairs rooms, it absorbs the sound of footsteps.
• Thermal Underlay: Designed for thermal insulation, it helps make the most of your heating.
• Underlay for Underfloor Heating: Specially designed to allow heat through while providing protection.
• Damp Proof Membrane (DPM): Necessary for concrete floors or water-based underfloor heating to prevent moisture damage.

Installing Underlay

Once the subfloor is prepared, roll out the underlay across the entire floor area. Trim it with scissors or a knife to fit the room, ensuring the edges meet but do not overlap, which could create an uneven floor. If using a DPM, overlap the edges slightly and allow it to reach up the walls to protect the floor’s edges.

Laminate Flooring Installation

Starting the Installation

Begin in a corner of the room, working left to right. Place the first board with the short tongue side against the wall, using expansion spacers to maintain a 10mm gap. This gap allows for natural expansion and contraction of the floorboards.

Laying the First Row

Lay the next board by fitting its tongue into the groove of the first board. Continue this process until you reach the end of the row. If the last board is too long, measure and cut it to fit, ensuring the cut side faces the wall.

Starting the Second Row

For stability, keep the ends of the boards at least 30cm apart. Use the off-cut from the previous row if it’s long enough; otherwise, cut a new board in half. Fit the long edges together at a 30-degree angle, then lower to lock them in place. Different boards have different locking mechanisms, so always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Fitting the Last Row

If the last row needs cutting lengthways, measure and mark where to cut. Use a saw to trim the boards to fit against the wall.

Fitting Laminate Around Pipes

Mark the position of the pipe on the board, drill a hole 16mm larger in diameter than the pipe, and make two angle cuts from the board’s edge to the sides of the hole. Fit the board and glue the off-cut wedge behind the pipe.

Laminate Trims and Profiles

Trims and profiles cover transitions between different floor types and heights:

• Incizo 5-in-1 Profile: Suitable for Quickstep laminate floors, it can bridge floors of the same or different heights, transition into carpet, cover edges, and fit on stair nosing.
• Carpet and Tile Trim: Ideal for joining floors of different heights, such as carpets or tiles.
• Pipe Covers match your laminate floor and cover expansion gaps around pipes. Glue the two halves around the pipe and leave the cover loose on the floor.

Explore our range of laminate flooring options, visit Flooring King. Our expert team is here to help you every step of the way.