5 Tips to Install Laminate Flooring Like a PRO
Thank you to Select Surfaces for sponsoring this post! All thoughts about the easy to install laminate flooring by Select Surfaces are mine alone.
Installing laminate flooring was a DIY project that was much easier than I had expected. It may seem a bit intimidating for us newbie home DIYers, but I’m here to tell you that the job is pretty easy and can look like a professional did it! I ripped out the carpeting in several of our bedrooms and installed gorgeous laminate flooring by Select Surfaces for an instant room upgrade. You will find plenty of online tutorials of how to install your flooring, but I have the 5 tips you need to make your laminate flooring look like a professional did it right here!
Laminate flooring installation tips for beginners
1Don’t skimp on quality! I think taking the time of installing your own laminate flooring cuts down on those professional installation fees. So, go for the higher quality laminate flooring! Lucky for us, Select Surfaces has both quality flooring and a great price. I loved the real wood texture created on each plank and the thickness of each plank makes a super lux look. Find Select Surfaces flooring online or at your local Sam’s Club.
2This second tip is a duh, but you’d be surprised how many people underestimate the materials. As annoying as repeating measurements is, driving to Sam’s Club to purchase more flooring in the midst of an installation is soo much worse. I HIGHLY recommend taking more than one measurement of your space. I measured several times to make sure I had the correct amount of boxes per square footage plus 10% extra for waste.
3Prep your room before starting. No, I don’t mean cleaning the floor (though, you should do that too!). I’m talking about trimming around door casings, trims, or mouldings that are higher than the planks. This will be necessary to install the flooring nicely around doorways if you opt not to remove the baseboards to install your flooring. Plus, it makes your completed space look much more refined. It’s the mark of a professional looking job!
It’s not fun getting into a groove laying your flooring and having to stop to trim around the doorways, especially if its a room with several doors and doorways. I used an oscillating multi-tool to trim the casings. Just lay a plank next to the door trim and mark the height of the plank on the door trim. Use your oscillating tool to cut away that marked part and you’ll be able to slide the plank in for a pretty flushed look around the doors.
4You can get a more stylish look to your floor with a staggered floor. Staggering your floor is easy and involves using the unused cut portion of the last plank of a row to begin the following row. My Driftwood laminate by Select Flooring looked AMAZING staggered.
How to stagger Laminate Flooring
How To Install Laminate Flooring and Stagger Planks
- Begin by laying one full plank (tongue side toward the wall) at the left corner of your room, keeping your expansion gap requirements in mind, which is typically 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap from wall.
I recommend buying the flooring installation kit I purchased for about $35.00 that comes with spacers, a pull bar, tapping block, and a mallet!
- Lift the right side of the second plank to a 30-degree angle and place its short end tongue into the groove of the first plank. Lower the plank to lock the two together.
- Continue laying the planks in this matter until the entire first row of laminate flooring is complete.
- Use the remainder of the last plank of the first row to start the second row, provided that it is a minimum of 16 in (40 cm) long.
Be sure to insert the tongue into the groove when starting a new row. It should click down easily. Reposition and try again if you are meeting a lot of resistance. Be careful not to break the tongue of the plank. Use a tapping block and mallet to set in place.
To avoid ending the row with a plank of less than 16 in (40 cm) in length, it may be necessary to cut the first plank. Always remove the groove on the last plank. - Continue laying laminate flooring until the floor is finished. Use the pull bar and mallet to set the last row. Replace base and/or shoe moulding.
5Last tip and one of the most important next to #4. FINISH the job. Be sure to replace baseboards and install the transitions (if needed). Don’t put off finishing the room. I can assure you that other things or projects will come up and you’ll either forget or keep pushing off finishing the flooring. You’ll want to enjoy the completely finished room.
Okay friends! Are you ready to tackle laminate flooring? I know you can do it and it’ll be a project that will continue to put a smile on your face. Be sure to head to your local Sam’s Club to pick up some beautiful laminate flooring by Select Surfaces today! This makes a great weekend DIY. I’d love to see your before and afters. Tag me @casawatkinsblog to your Instagram or Facebook post and you may see it reshared on my accounts!
Feeling motivated? Check out these rooms I’ve updated with Select Surfaces Laminate Flooring and update your home too.
