Tools

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Straightedge or chalk line
• Utility knife
• Laminate flooring cutter or circular saw
• Jigsaw
• Pull bar
• Tapping block
• Rubber mallet
• Spacers
• Level or long straightedge
• Vacuum or broom
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Hearing protection

Materials

• Laminate flooring planks
• Underlayment if required
• Moisture barrier if required
• Transition strips
• Baseboards or quarter round
• Manufacturer-approved repair or touch-up kit if needed

Safety

• Wear safety glasses when cutting planks.
• Use hearing protection with power saws.
• Wear gloves to reduce the chance of splinters and cut edges.
• Cut flooring in a well-ventilated area and follow tool safety instructions.
• Keep hands clear of blades and support planks securely while cutting.
• Do not fasten floating laminate flooring to the subfloor unless the manufacturer specifically says to do so.
• Check the manufacturer instructions for required underlayment, moisture barrier, and expansion gap dimensions.

Steps

1. Step 1: Prepare the room and read the flooring instructions

   • Remove furniture, floor vents, and any movable obstacles from the room.
   • Read the laminate manufacturer’s instructions fully before starting because locking methods and underlayment requirements vary by product.
   • Remove existing baseboards or plan to add quarter round after installation.
   • Undercut door jambs if needed so the flooring can slide underneath for a clean finish.

   Check: The room is clear and you understand the specific installation method for your flooring. · Door jambs and trim details have been checked before any planks are laid.

2. Step 2: Acclimate the flooring

   • Place the unopened flooring boxes in the installation room for the time recommended by the manufacturer.
   • Keep the room at normal living temperature and humidity during acclimation and installation.

   Check: The flooring has acclimated for the required time. · Room conditions are within the manufacturer’s recommended range.

3. Step 3: Inspect and prepare the subfloor

   • Remove old flooring if required by the laminate product instructions.
   • Clean the subfloor thoroughly so it is free of dust, debris, and protruding fasteners.
   • Check that the subfloor is dry, structurally sound, and flat using a level or long straightedge.
   • Correct high spots and fill low spots as needed so the floor meets the flatness tolerance in the manufacturer instructions.

   Check: The subfloor is clean, dry, and solid. · The subfloor is flat enough to meet the laminate manufacturer’s requirements.

4. Step 4: Plan the layout

   • Measure the room width and calculate the width of the final row.
   • Adjust the starting row if needed so the last row will not be too narrow.
   • Decide the plank direction, usually parallel to the longest wall or the main light source.
   • Plan to stagger end joints according to the manufacturer’s minimum spacing requirement.

   Check: You know the starting wall and plank direction. · The last row will be a practical width and end joints will be properly staggered.

5. Step 5: Install underlayment and moisture barrier if required

   • Lay the moisture barrier first if the product or subfloor type requires it.
   • Install underlayment according to the manufacturer instructions, keeping seams aligned and taped if specified.
   • Do not overlap materials unless the instructions specifically require overlap.

   Check: The correct underlayment and moisture barrier have been installed for the product and subfloor type. · The surface is smooth and ready for planks.

6. Step 6: Lay the first row

   • Place spacers along the starting wall to create the required expansion gap.
   • Lay the first row with the tongue or groove orientation recommended by the manufacturer.
   • Cut the last plank of the row to length, leaving the required expansion gap at the wall.
   • Check that the first row is straight because it sets the alignment for the rest of the floor.

   Check: Expansion spacers are in place along the wall. · The first row is straight and properly locked together.

7. Step 7: Install the remaining rows

   • Start the next row with an offcut only if it meets the minimum plank length required by the manufacturer.
   • Angle and click each plank into the previous row, then lock end joints as directed by the product design.
   • Use a tapping block, pull bar, and rubber mallet only as allowed by the manufacturer to tighten joints without damaging edges.
   • Continue row by row, maintaining the expansion gap around walls, pipes, cabinets, and other fixed objects.

   Check: Joints are tight with no visible gaps. · End joints are staggered correctly and expansion gaps are maintained throughout the room.

8. Step 8: Cut around obstacles and fit the last row

   • Measure carefully around door frames, floor vents, and pipes before cutting.
   • Use a jigsaw for curved or detailed cuts and a flooring cutter or saw for straight cuts.
   • Rip the final row to width, allowing for the required expansion gap at the wall.
   • Use a pull bar where needed to lock the last row into place.

   Check: Cuts fit neatly around obstacles without forcing planks into place. · The last row is secure and the expansion gap is still present.

9. Step 9: Finish the edges and inspect the floor

   • Remove all spacers after the flooring is installed.
   • Install transition strips at doorways and where the laminate meets other flooring types.
   • Reinstall baseboards or add quarter round to cover expansion gaps without pinning the laminate down.
   • Inspect the entire floor for gaps, damaged planks, or uneven areas and replace any defective pieces if needed.

   Check: Expansion gaps are covered but not blocked by fasteners through the laminate. · The finished floor looks even, locked, and clean.