Installing Floating Laminate Wood Flooring

Laminate Flooring Ready to be Installed

Laminate flooring provides the same look as wood at about half the price. Laminate is composed of planks of resin and paper compressed at a high density. The planks are then covered with a thin paper sheet printed with a wood grain design or other pattern, then covered with a clear seal coat. Even up close, it's difficult to tell that it isn't real wood.
These "floating floors" simply rest on top of the subfloor without being attached in any way. If installed properly, they will last for many years and offer the same beauty associated with hardwood.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure Laminate flooring planks 1/4" plywood Floor stapler Foam underlayment Rubber mallet Pull bar Mitre saw Wood trim/Baseboards Hammer and nails

Instructions

1. Measure the room where you will be installing your new laminate. Multiply the length by the width to determine the total square footage of material you will need to purchase. Add 20 percent to this number to account for cutting mistakes and damaged or discolored planks. This should also leave you with a bit left over when you're finished.

2. Unwrap your new laminate planks and tet them sit for 24 to 48 hours so they can become acclimated to the temperature and humidity in the space. This prevents the wood from expanding or contracting too much once it's installed.

3. Remove any existing carpet, tile or other floor coverings, as well as stray staples and tacks. If the floor is noticeably uneven, it is usually best to install a 1/4" layer of plywood over the entire surface before you begin installing your laminate. Secure the plywood using a floor stapler.

4. Lay a single layer of foam floor underlayment across the subfloor. The foam will make the new floor quieter and more comfortable to walk on.

5. Begin installing your laminate. Start at the longest wall and lay the first plank, leaving a 1/2" expansion joint between the wall and the wood. Connect the next plank into the first by inserting the tongue on the edge of the wood into the adjacent groove. Use a rubber mallet to firmly tap the planks together.

6. Use a mitre saw to cut laminate sections as necessary.

7. Continue installing planks in this manor until you've reached the last row. Use your pull bar and mallet to force the last row into place, cutting them if necessary.

8. Cover the expansion joints at the base of the walls by installing base boards or trim.

Tips & Warnings

• When laying out your flooring, make sure to stagger the joints of the wood to provide a more structurally sound floor. This also tends to result in a better look.