how to instal laminate flooring?

Answer 1

Actually, it is fairly easy. First lay down a strip of foam underlayment where you are going to start. You need to leave a 3/8 inch gap between the wall and first piece of laminate (there will probably be spacers in the carton). I'm assuming that you are using tongue & groove snap together flooring. It's important that the tongue be facing the wall when you start or else you will have a difficult time trying to snap the next pieces together. Lay your first row down then lay the next row down. You will need to stagger the seams in order to hold the first row tightly together from side to side. When you are installing the second and subsequent rows, hold the piece you are putting in at a slight angle so the tongue will fit into the groove of the first piece. There is a tool they sell with the flooring that you put under the second piece to hold it slightly off the floor so you can tap that piece securely into place on the first row. Once you get the hang of it, it goes pretty fast. Remember to stagger seams and tongue of first piece to the wall.

Answer 2

They come with very clear directions. You should also buy the "installation kit" that is about $10 and comes with a block to snap the flooring down into place and usually with a video of the process.

Once you have a piece that snaps into place properly you will recognize the distinctive sound and feel of a properly joined set of laminate planks. Then it is very simple to continue. If the first ones don't seem to go together right and don't seem to match the words and pictures of the instructions take it out and retry. If you have a bad joint you can't really continue and will have to take up the strips after that joint anyway so get it right from the beginning.

Answer 3

Getting started is usually the hardest part. Take a piece of flooring and cut a bunch of 2" pieces take these pieces and stand them up on edge against the wall you are starting on. This will give you room for expansion and also allows you to push on the flooring and not loose your spacing. On your first row start out with a full piece. When you get to the end of the row place the piece just as it will go in overlapping the row flip it length ways and mark it about 3/8" shorter than it needs to be. This will help because there are lefts and rights and it can get confusing.On the second row start with 1/2 of a piece to stagger the joints.On the 3rd row 1' piece. Continue this pattern. When you get to the end(a wall) Place the piece as it will go flip it width-wise and mark it 3/8" short. Also the 2" pieces that you have cut you can use them to tap the planks together when needed just interlock the tongue and groove and tap your block it will save you from chipping your floor. It is easy if you know the tricks.

Answer 4

I've heard it's hard to get started, but once you do it will go pretty easy. I would recommend that video like the guy said, but I am sure you can find an installation viedo on youtube or something along those lines. I'm looking for a new house so hopefully I will be watching that same video here in the near future. Good Luck.

Also, watch all those flip this house episodes on A&E and other shows like that. They are always putting in wood floors. And maybe you can convice some of your friends to put it down in their house. That way you can help and learn how to do it. And the best reason to have them do it first is to learn from their mistakes.

Answer 5

Don't do the cheapest. Buy a decent quality. I bought some crap for a rental and wound up spending 3 days on a job that should have taken 4 hours.

Look at the locking system, try it out in the store. If you purchase it get it home right away and store if flat. strike a straight line and begin to follow the instructions included in the box.

Answer 6

This is one of the easiest DYI you can do! On a scale of 1-10, a 5.......good advice to use spacers around the edges and stay away from water. Buy a middle road brand, I've purchased IKEA, Costco and had very good results!

Answer 7

Buy the video in the store, helps a lot. And ignore anyone who claims it is fast and easy. I laid about 450 sq ft, and it is not fun nor easy nor fast. Looks nice, but don't put it any place where water can get spilled on it. It swells really fast.

Answer 8

Doesn't seem to be difficult. I'm sure you can get installation instuctions when you purchase it.