Just bought the perfect laminate flooring for your home and choosing to self-installation? From the tools and preparation to the measuring and fitting, here at Discount Flooring Depot, we’ve got all the tips you need to lay your laminate flooring. But remember, while this handy guide will help you with the basic steps, it’s important to note that there are many different installation systems and you should always refer to your manufacturer’s guide before installing.
First things first; when you’re doing any kind of DIY, safety is paramount. If you’re choosing to self-installation of laminate flooring at home, it’s important to seek professional advice if you feel you need to or you become unsure at any step. Once you've ensured you are confident in your process, the next step is to make sure you follow the appropriate safety measures. We recommend:
Once you’ve ensured you’re safely ready to start, the next step is to gather all the tools and equipment you’ll need. We recommend having to hand:
To make things easier for you, we’ve included the basic tools you’ll need in our handy Laminate Flooring Installation Kit.
Where To Start Laying Laminate Flooring
Now you’ve gathered all your tools and equipment, the next step is to prepare your sub-floor and chosen flooring ready for laying:
Can You Lay Laminate Flooring on Concrete?
Can You Lay Laminate Flooring on Floorboards/
Yes but follow the following rules:
Can You Install Laminate Flooring on Plywood?
Plywood is one of the best surfaces to lay laminate on;
Can You Install Laminate Flooring on Tiles?
Yes you can but follow the following rules;
Followed all those steps? You’re ready to lay.
PLEASE NOTE: Installation guides may vary. Always read the full manufacturer’s recommended installation guides before installation.
Fitting your boards around your doorframe can be a difficult step in your self-installation process, but you have two options to consider:
Option 1:
Option 2:
To ensure a professional finish and bridge any gaps between your floor and doorway, apply door trims on the line where your flooring meets the door and corresponding room.
Once you’ve laid all your floor, the final step is to apply beading around the skirting board, which serves to cover the expansion gap between the floor and wall and create a seamless overall aesthetic:
Follow these steps and laying your floor should be as easy as possible!
Remember: Consult your manufacturer’s installation guide before proceeding and seek professional advice if you are unsure at any step of the process.
Laying laminate is a relatively straightforward process but things can go wrong if you do not follow the proper guidelines. Laminate is a natural material with a wooden core, so it does expand naturally. It is also prone to water damage if not laid properly. So what can go wrong?
It is relatively straightforward. However, you need to be relatively fit and healthy as you will be using muscles you have not been using regularly. You will be squatting and kneeling a lot, and using the pull bar to make the planks fit tightly together.
Yes, as long as the saw is held perfectly vertical and you make a pencil guide to follow then a jigsaw is perfectly OK
Start in the farthest corner and lay parallel to the longest wall. If laying in a hall, lay down the hall away from the front door to the back of the hall, following the same rule.
Leave an 8-10mm gap around pipes. Use a circular drill bit if necessary to cut a large enough hole before removing the piece at the back to fit 8-10mm away from the wall behind.
Allow a day to lay an average sized room. More if you have difficult obstacles in the way like cupboards, boxed in downpipes and plinths. It will be quicker as you get more experienced.
Some underlays come with foil backing. This can tear quite easily if you are not careful. If it does, then carefully cut away the torn part and use tape if necessary to join different strips together if there is not a sealing strip.