Installing Pergo Flooring

Laminate flooring is an affordable alternative to hardwood or stone. It is made from pressed wood cores covered in a printed paper topping, designed to resemble wood or other materials. It is often called "Pergo" after a Swedish company that was one of the first to produce this material, though there are now many different companies that manufacture laminate flooring. Often called "floating floors," these floors are laid over thee top of a subfloor without the use of nails, glue or adhesives. Laminate floors are quick install and require little maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4-inch plywood
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Foam underlayment
• Floor stapler
• Pergo or laminate flooring
• Miter saw
• Rubber mallet
• Pry bar

Instructions

1. Measure the room to determine how much material you'll need. Add 20 percent to this measurement to account for cutting mistakes, discolored pieces or damaged planks. This extra material will also allow for future repairs.

2. Remove all baseboards or toeboards. Use a hammer and chisel to pry them away from the wall. Do this carefully so they can be reused later.

3. Cover the subfloor with 1/4-inch plywood sheathing. This will give you a good solid base without a lot of floor preparation work.

4. Lay out your foam underlayment. Overlap the seams and secure them using a floor stapler. This foam layer reduces noise and makes the floor more comfortable to walk on.

5. Install your first plank along the longest wall of the room. Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the board and the wall to allow for future expansion or contraction of the wood.

6. Continue installing the laminate planks. Place the tongue of each board into the groove of the adjacent board, then tap the planks together with your mallet to ensure they are tightly connected.

7. Use your miter saw to cut any boards as necessary to fit the end of each row.

8. Install your final row of planks by prying them into place using a pry bar, leaving another 1/4-inch gap between the wall and the board.

9. Reinstall your baseboards to complete the project.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to the joints as you install your flooring. Make sure to stagger the joints so that no two planks line up. This will ensure a tighter installation that is less likely to fail.