How to Install Slate Laminated Flooring

Slate laminated flooring is installed as a floating floor. This means that no glue or any other type of adhesive is necessary during installation. The pieces of slate laminated flooring are designed to fit snugly together and snap into place to create a solid and stable floor. A foam pad is placed underneath the tiles prior to installation in order to reduce noise created when walking on the floor. Slate laminated flooring can be installed very quickly when all of the necessary tools are readily available.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Dustpan
• Foam underlayment
• Utility knife
• Masking tape
• Spacer
• Power saw
• Base trim
• Finishing nails

Instructions

1. Sweep the floor and remove any dirt and debris before you begin the slate laminated flooring installation.

2. Unroll the foam underlayment directly onto the floor. The foam underlayment should cover the entire floor and can be easily cut to fit with a utility knife. Apply two inch wide masking tape over the seams where the pieces of underlayment meet.

3. Place the first tile at one corner of the room approximately 1/4 inch away from each wall. Place a 1/4 inch spacer between the tile and each wall to maintain this distance.

4. Hold another tile at a 45 degree angle to the first tile and press the edges together. Push the tile down towards the floor as you push it towards the first tile. This will cause the tiles to snap together due to the tongue and groove design of the flooring.

5. Snap the rest of the tiles into place until the entire floor has been covered. Cut the slate laminated flooring to fit, when necessary, with a power saw.

6. Apply base trim to the walls with finishing nails to hide the 1/4 inch gap between the flooring and the walls.

References

• Installing & Finishing Flooring; William P. Spence; 2003