Laminate flooring is applied by interlocking planks, often using a tongue-and-groove system, and usually installed as a floating floor, meaning it isn't nailed or glued to the subfloor.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Preparation:
- Ensure the subfloor (concrete, plywood, etc.) is clean, level, dry, and free of debris. Any unevenness should be addressed by leveling compounds or sanding.
- Acclimate the laminate flooring to the room's temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours before installation. This helps prevent expansion and contraction issues later.
- Install an underlayment. This provides cushioning, sound insulation, and moisture protection. Different underlayments offer varying levels of these benefits.
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Planning the Layout:
- Determine the direction of the planks. Typically, they run parallel to the longest wall or the main light source.
- Calculate the number of rows needed and adjust the width of the first and last row to avoid narrow strips. This provides a more balanced look.
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Installing the First Row:
- Begin in a corner of the room.
- Place the first plank with the tongue side facing the wall, using spacers (approximately ¼ inch) to maintain an expansion gap. This gap allows for natural expansion and contraction of the flooring with temperature and humidity changes.
- Install the second plank next to the first. Align the tongue of the second plank into the groove of the first, and then press the plank down to snap it into place. Some systems require tapping the planks together gently with a tapping block and hammer.
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Continuing Row Installation:
- Continue adding planks in this manner across the first row.
- When you reach the end of the row, measure and cut a plank to fit, again leaving an expansion gap.
- Use the cut-off piece from the end of the first row to start the second row, if it is at least 12 inches long. This helps minimize waste and stagger the seams. If the piece is too short, cut a new plank in half, or a third, and use that to start the second row. Always stagger your seams and avoid running a seam too close to the last seam on the previous row. This gives the finished floor a more uniform look.
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Subsequent Rows:
- Continue installing rows, staggering the seams between planks for a more visually appealing and structurally sound floor.
- Use a pull bar or tapping block to tighten the seams, especially in tight spaces or when dealing with stubborn planks.
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Obstacles and Details:
- Cut planks to fit around obstacles like pipes or doorframes. Use a jigsaw for these intricate cuts.
- Install transition strips where the laminate flooring meets other types of flooring or doorways.
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Finishing Touches:
- Remove the spacers along the walls.
- Install baseboards or quarter-round molding to cover the expansion gaps and provide a finished look.
