How to Install Laminates
- 1). Watch the manufacturer's installation video that came with your laminates. This will inform you of any special considerations and help to protect your warranty. If there is no video, read the installation documents carefully and thoroughly or visit the manufacturer's website.
- 2). Remove doors, moldings and baseboards in the room. Pull out any nails or staples left from other floor covering. Secure loose floor boards.
- 3). Unroll and position the underlay in the room. Make sure the edges are tight together but not overlapping. Leave the underlay around the perimeter 5/16 of an inch from the walls, fixtures and where it meets other floor coverings. Cut excess using your utility knife and then duct tape the padding edges together to prevent movement as you install the laminate.
- 4). Decide which direction you want your boards to lay. Many manufacturers recommend the flooring lay perpendicular to the floor joist when applicable. Roughly lay out the laminate boards across the room. This will help you coordinate shades and patterns and sort out any damaged boards.
- 5). Cut the first few boards in each row varying lengths so the board ends are staggered throughout the floor. This will ensure you do not end up with a pattern of end joints. Boards should also be cut so the joints are at least six inches apart. Cut the grooved edge off the boards that will go down first, facing the starting wall. Place a 5/16 inch spacer between the wall the first board so tapping in the subsequent rows won't shift the first board out of position.
- 6). Start from the left and join the next board by inserting the tongue into the groove and tapping firmly with your tapping board. Repeat this step with each board until you near the other end of the room. The entire perimeter needs to be 5/16 of an inch from any walls, fixtures or other floor coverings. This will allow for seasonal expansion so your floor does not buckle. You will need to measure to fit the last board in the row. You may need to use the pull bar if it will not slide in. Put the tongue of the pull bar between the wall and the last piece of laminate then gently tap on the groove on top to pull the laminate piece in.
- 7). Remove the spacers around the perimeter when the floor is finished. Install the quarter round and moldings. These will cover the 5/16 inch gap. Be sure to use your tapping board when hammering nails to install the moldings and quarter round. Check doors before rehanging to see if they need to be trimmed to prevent rubbing against the new floor covering.
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