Installing laminate flooring typically involves preparing the subfloor, laying an underlayment, and then clicking or locking the planks together row by row, following a specific sequence of steps.
Here's a breakdown of the installation process based on common practices:
Preparing the Space
Before laying the flooring, the area needs to be prepared.
- Test the Flooring Layout: Loosely placing the laminate planks on your space helps visualize the overall outlook and plan the installation direction and cuts. This allows you to anticipate how the pattern will look and where cuts will be needed.
- Remove Baseboards: Existing baseboards or skirting boards should be removed. This allows the new flooring to be installed underneath, providing a clean finish once the baseboards are reinstalled over the flooring.
Laying the Foundation
The foundation for laminate flooring is crucial for performance and longevity.
- Install an Underlay: An underlayment is rolled or laid out across the subfloor. This layer serves multiple purposes, including providing moisture protection, reducing noise, and offering a small amount of cushioning. It's an essential step for most laminate installations.
Installing the Planks
The actual laying of the laminate planks begins after preparation.
- Use Spacers: Small plastic spacers are placed along the walls. These ensure a gap is left between the flooring and the wall, which is critical to allow the laminate to expand and contract naturally with changes in temperature and humidity without buckling.
- Install the First Row: Installation typically starts in one corner of the room. The first row of planks is laid with the tongue side facing the wall (or as per manufacturer instructions), interlocking the short ends. Cuts may be needed at the end of the row.
- Install the Second Row: The second row is then connected to the first. Planks are usually clicked or angled into the groove of the previous row's planks. It's common practice to stagger the joints between rows for strength and a more aesthetically pleasing look.
- Continue Laying More Rows: This process of connecting planks and rows continues across the room, clicking each new plank into the side and end of the adjacent planks and the previous row.
- Install the Last Row: The final row often requires planks to be cut lengthwise to fit the remaining space against the wall. Careful measurement is needed to ensure the correct width, remembering to maintain the expansion gap using spacers.
Following these steps ensures a proper and durable laminate floor installation.
