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You will need a tape measure, pencil, hammer, pry bar, coping saw, hand saw or compound miter saw, spacers, laminate flooring glue, the vapor barrier and the laminate flooring. Clear the space and clean the floor. Remove the baseboards and set aside. Remove the old flooring if you're intending to install the laminate flooring over the base floor.
Measure the room's width and length to purchase the right amount of flooring. Acclimate the flooring to your space by allowing the material to sit for two days prior to installation. It will go through contraction and expansion adjustments, which will help prevent the buckling if the floor is installed too soon. -
Make sure your sub-floor is flat before installing your laminate flooring. Bumps and dips will damage the flooring and shorten the life of your new flooring.
When laying the vapor barrier over concrete, tape the seams close and have the sides reach 1 to 3 inches up the wall. This adds a stronger barrier to moisture and cold from the concrete. For wood floors, simply lay the vapor barrier to cover the subfloor.
Plan to install the flooring in the flow of the direction of how the sunlight enters the room. This will visually expand the room and give its appearance a natural flow.
Use spacers along the walls to give the laminate flooring an expansion gap. This gap is usually between ¼- to ½-inch. Once the installation is complete, the spacers are removed and the baseboards conceal the gaps. When making cuts around permanent fixtures, do not cut too close for a tight fit. Rather, leave an expansion gap around them, as well. -
Set the direction of your first row in the direction you want your flooring laid. Once that row is evenly spaced from the wall, continue to add the rows, making sure to stagger the end seams. Tap the pieces into a snug fit using a hammer and scrap piece of wood or flooring to protect it from damage as you go along.
If using a standard laminate flooring, apply laminate glue in between the seams and immediately clean away the excess. This is not necessary if you're installing a no-glue locking system laminate flooring. This flooring is installed by snapping the pieces into each other.
When you reach the last row, take width measurements along this gap and rip down the laminate flooring to fit in the space. After trimming down and securing in place the last row to fit between the wall, reinstall the baseboards. The baseboards will serve as anchors as well as the way to conceal the expansion gap between the wall.
