How to Lay a Square Laminate Floor

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By Verdia Bolster
eHow Contributing Writer

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Lay a Square Laminate Floor

Affordability and variety make laminate flooring a popular option for many homeowners. Laminate floor tiles can perfectly mimic luxurious ceramic tiles, at a fraction of the price. Wood laminate provides a real wood floor look, minus the expense and high maintenance. The standard laminate roll remains the most economical choice of all laminates. Most forms of laminate can be installed without difficulty, and offer durability with effortless cleaning.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Measuring tape
Small hammer
Rubber mallet
Coping saw
Putty knife
Broom
Mop
Bucket
Floor adhesive
Paint brush
Level
Underlay padding
Laminate

Preparing to Install a Laminate Floor

Step 1

Measure the width of the room and multiply by the length of the room. The total is the amount of laminate and padding you will need to cover the surface area. Add another 5 to 10 percent to ensure you have more than enough to cover any errors or blemishes in the product.
Step 2

Remove all baseboards carefully and set them aside to reuse. Pull up any carpet, padding and nail strips. Use a putty knife to scrape and remove patches of padding that remain stuck to the floor. Vacuum the subfloor well to remove all debris from the surface.
Step 3

Measure and cut the padding you will need for the room. Attach the pieces together using strips of clear, wide tape. Tack the padding to the floor surface using flooring adhesive.

Installing Sheet Laminate Flooring

Step 1

Roll out the sheet laminate product, measure and cut with a sharp utility knife. Avoid binding or bending the corners of the laminate roll. It will create leaks in the surface of the flooring material.
Step 2

Turn each strip of laminate over and apply the flooring adhesive with a small paint brush. Even the edges slowly as each strip is placed down on the padding surface. Custom cut the edges of the laminate material to fit around the cabinets and the door moldings.
Step 3

Re-attach all of the baseboards using a small hammer. Sweep and damp mop the new laminate floor. Allow 15 to 20 minutes for it to dry completely.

Installing Plank Laminate Flooring

Step 1

Cut the bottom of the door moldings to allow for the thickness of the padding and the plank laminate. Allow an additional ¼ of an inch clearance for natural floor movement.
Step 2

Create a real wood floor appearance by randomly alternating the joints where the planks come together. Fit the tongue-and-groove sections together by hammering them together gently with a rubber mallet. Add a small amount of wood glue to doorways and any heavy-traffic areas.
Step 3

Attach the baseboards ¼ of an inch above the level of the padding and laminate planks on the floor. This will allow movement and flexibility. Use a coping saw to custom cut the planks to fit around the cabinets and doorways. Sweep and damp mop floor.

Installing Laminate Tiles

Step 1

Carefully peel the backing from the tiles and lay them against one another on the floor. Go slowly enough to get a tight, even fit.
Step 2

Measure and cut the laminate tiles to fit areas around the cabinets and molding before removing the backing. Place a level beside the edge you are working on to help maintain a straight line as you add more tiles.
Step 3

Use a sharp utility knife to cut around the areas of the door molding and the cabinets. Gently hammer the baseboards back into position. Sweep and damp mop the new laminate floor before the first use.