7 Pro Laminate Flooring Tips That Make Installation WAY Easier, by The Funny Carpenter on YouTube. 11 min 44 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 44 s
- Time to do it
- 1 day for a small room
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Clear the room and check the subfloor is flat, dry and clean. Sweep it, fix any loose boards and let a concrete floor dry fully before you start.
Roll out the underlay across the room, butt the edges and tape the seams. On concrete, lay a moisture barrier first and run it up the walls slightly.
Measure the room width and divide by the plank width. If the last row would be narrower than about 50 mm, trim the first row so both edges are even.
Start in a corner with the tongue facing the wall. Cut the tongue off the first row and slide spacers between the planks and the wall.
Click the next plank into the short end at an angle, then lower it flat. Push the long edge into the previous row until it clicks, keeping the rows staggered.
Use a tapping block on the long edge and a pull bar at the wall to close stubborn joints. Never hit the planks directly with a hammer.
Cut planks around door frames and pipes with a jigsaw. Leave an expansion gap at every wall, pipe and frame, then cover it with skirting or beading.
Lay the last row by marking each plank against the wall, cutting it to width and clicking it in with the pull bar.
Remove all spacers, fit skirting or beading and clean the floor with a slightly damp mop.
Tips and common mistakes
Acclimatise the packs in the room for 48 hours so the planks settle before you lay them.
Leave a 10 mm expansion gap at every wall, or the floor can buckle as it moves.
Stagger the end joints by at least 30 cm between rows for a stronger, neater floor.
Wear kneepads and keep the planks dry, since laminate swells if water gets into the joints.
Questions
Do I need underlay under laminate flooring?
Yes, underlay smooths small dips, reduces noise and adds a little cushioning. On concrete you also need a moisture barrier.
Can I install laminate over old tiles?
Only if the tiles are firmly stuck, flat and clean. Fill the grout lines with levelling compound first so the planks do not rock.
How long before I can walk on the new floor?
You can walk on it straight after the last row, but wait about 24 hours before moving heavy furniture back in.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
