How To Lay Laminate Flooring
Installing laminate flooring in your home is an easy DIY home project. Drop and lock flooring systems, incorporate a tongue and groove on each long side and on each end of the individual pieces. The individual pieces are then fitted together at a 45-degree angle and locked or snapped into place by pressing them down.
Because this type of floor is a floating floor system, 3/8-inch spacers are required between the floors perimeter and the wall. This allows room for the floor to float or move as needed due to natural expansion and contraction of the product. Concrete flooring installations require the use of a vapor or moisture barrier between the substrate and laminate floor. After installing the moisture barrier, the next step is to cover the floor area with an underlayment, which adds support to the floor. The underlayment is a plastic foam or Styrofoam material that is rolled out onto the floor before installation. Some laminate flooring products already have underlayment attached to each individual piece, which would eliminate this step.
No. 1-Your first row should start on the most difficult wall, usually the doorway, which allows you to easily notch the piece or pieces around the doorjamb, which provides a professional result. When installing the first row, you will only connect end joints.
No. 2-Install the first row with the groove farthest away from you or facing away from the floor. The last piece on the first row will require that you take a measurement and cut it to fit.
No. 3-To maximize your material, use the piece leftover from your cut to start your next row. It is important however that the end joints are staggered between rows at least 8-inches apart for strength and stability.
No. 4-Start the second row with the leftover cut piece by placing it into the groove on the first row, sliding it to the spacer on the wall, verifying that the gap between the first and second row is tight and then snapping it into place.
No. 5-Install the second piece in the second row by connecting it to the end joint of the first piece, and then lifting both pieces approximately 45 degrees and connecting them to the first row and snapping them in place. It may be necessary to use your hand or a tapping block and lightly tap both pieces to ensure a tight fit with the first row and between end joints.
No. 6-Continue in this fashion until you reach the end of the row where you will have to measure and cut the last piece. Repeat this process until you reach the last row.
No. 7-Install the last row by measuring the distance between the wall and the laminate floor and cutting the pieces to fit on a table saw or with a jigsaw. It is important to remember to cut the piece on the tongue side so it will connect to the last piece on the floor. Install the baseboard or quarter round to complete the project.
