How to Lay Laminate Floor

There are several different types of laminated flooring, the most popular is the wood type of laminates. The other types consist of a textured embossed and are a styled collection that mimic stone. These textured embossed types of laminated flooring come in tiles.Laminate flooring can be installed over existing flooring such as vinyl tile. It can even be installed over ceramic tile when height requirements are not an issue. The laminated tile for this article is a stone look tile that has click together panels.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer
• Jig saw
• Masking tape
• Tapping block/bar
• Wall spacers

1. 
    
   Laminated Tile Floors

   Gather the tools. Prepare the floor by removing old flooring such as carpet. Remove the baseboards. Start on the longest, straightest wall.

2. 
    
   Laminated Flooring Tapper and Block

   Some laminates have the padding attached to the bottom of the product itself. If this is the type of product purchased, no padding is required. If the product purchased is not pre-padded, a padding will need to be installed. Simply unroll the padding and cut off the length at the opposite wall taping each section together with masking tape to keep it in place. Apply the padding directly over the existing floor.

3. 
    
   Padding and Spacers

   Using the quarter inch spacers, keep the first row of laminate away from the wall. Connect the pieces end to end until the entire row is assembled. Tapping them gently with the hammer and tapping block. Usually the last piece requires a cut in length to fit. Use the scrap from that piece if it's longer then six inches and start the next row at the other end. Using the cut offs and the end of each row will produce minimal waste.

4. 
    
   Undercut the Door Jams

   Under cut the door jams to slide the laminate underneath for a clean look. Interlock the laminate tiles row after row until the floor is completed. Reinstall the baseboards.

Tips & Warnings

• Height requirements are restricted when another floor has to be butted up to the floor.