How to Install Laminate Flooring
Sidestep expensive labor costs by installing your own laminate flooring.
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You Will Need
- Safety glasses
- Measuring tape
- Underlayment
- Laminate flooring
- Rubber mallet
- Molding
Steps
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Wear safety glasses when cutting and installing laminate flooring.
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Step 1
Remove the old floor
Remove your old floor and baseboards. Prep your subfloor by making sure it's flat and free of any debris.
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Step 2
Measure your floor
Measure the area you want to cover.
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Step 3
Install the underlayment
Install your underlayment. This will cushion the floor and reduce noise.
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Some laminate will have the underlayment attached. Check with the retailer to determine the best material.
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Step 4
Lay the laminate
Lay the laminate along the room's longest wall. Leave a quarter inch around the perimeter between the laminate and the wall to account for expansion.
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Step 5
Stagger the laminate
Stagger the laminate and use a rubber mallet to fit the pieces together snugly.
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Undercut or cut away a slice of the casing from the bottom of the door so that the flooring can slip underneath. Use a piece of the laminate to measure the necessary height of the undercut.
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Step 6
Install molding
Install your molding around the perimeter. Step back, take a look, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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Because of superstition, many hotels have no official 13th floor. Floor numbers go from 12th to 14th.
