How Can I Laminate My Wood Floors Myself?

Laminate flooring is manufactured wood designed to look like hardwood.

If you see a properly installed laminate flooring, you might think to yourself, "How can I install laminate flooring myself?" Well, a properly installed laminate floor might look hard to complete but since every piece of wood is uniform and designed for tight tolerances, you will find out that installing a wood laminate floor is actually easier than if you decided to install an actual hardwood floor.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Prybar
• Miter saw
• 1/4-inch shims
• Brad nail gun
• Brad nails
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Remove any old laminate flooring, linoleum or carpet from the room. Pound down any nails, or staples left in the floor with a hammer.

2. Remove all floor registers, floor molding and door jam plates. A pry bar works for removing these items.

3. Locate the longest wall in the room and place ¼-inch shims along the base of the wall. The shims act as spacers to allow room for the laminate to expand with the humidity in the room.

4. Place the first laminate board against the shims in the corner of the room. The laminate board has a tongue on one side and a groove on the other side. Place the groove against the shims and the tongue facing out into the room.

5. Hold the laminate board against the shims and drive a brad nail into the tongue at a 45-degree angle to the board. Place one nail every 6 inches. This will hold the board in place.

6. Butt a second laminate board up against the end of the first board and attach it to the floor in the same manner. Repeat this process until you get to the end of the first row. Likely, the last space for the first row will not fit a full-length board. Measure the space with a tape measure but do not forget to subtract ¼-inch to allow for expansion. Cut the board to length with a miter saw and attach it in the same manner as the other boards.

7. Cut a board in half with the miter saw. This will be the first board for the second row. Going forward, every other row will start with a board cut in half. This will create a staggered pattern with the floor and will add rigidity.

8. Place the board against the first board. Again, the tongue of the board faces the room and not the wall. Tap the board against the first row of boards with a rubber mallet. This will seat the tongues and grooves together. Secure the board with the brad nailer and brad nails.

9. Repeat the process until you reach the other end of the room.

References

• This Old House: How to Lay Engineered Wood Floors; Mark Feirer; 2009 i