- You have no items in your shopping cart
- Continue Shopping
Installing laminate flooring is a great way to update the look of your home without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a first-time installer, this guide will walk you through the steps to successfully install laminate flooring in your home.
This is a general guide for installing laminate flooring. Additional instructions are provided for flooring with heating systems and moisture-prone areas. Note that the specific installation process may vary depending on the brand of flooring. Always check with your supplier or Carpet One Bendigo.
Prepare the surface for installation
Ensure that the surface is level, dry, and free from debris. Here are the instructions for specific subfloor types.
Wooden Subfloor
Inspect the wooden subfloor to ensure it is level and free of mould or insect infestation.
Nail or screw down any loose parts.
If the wooden subfloor has unevenness greater than 4mm over a length of 2m, use a fibered levelling compound or underlay with plywood/OSB levelling floor.
The moisture content of the wood must not exceed 10%.
Screed
The subfloor moisture content should be less than 2.5% /75%RH for the cement screed and less than 0.5% 50%RH for the anhydrite screed.
A new cement screed floor should dry for at least 1 week per 1cm (3/8”) thickness for up to 4cm (1-1/2”), while thicknesses over 4cm (1-1/2”) require double the drying time.
Existing Floor
Remove any damp-porous floor covering (carpet, needle felt, etc.). Damp-sealed floor covering (PVC, linoleum, VCT, etc.) does not have to be removed for certain types of laminate flooring. Check with your supplier.
Additional instructions apply if there is underfloor heating or cooling.
After checking the subfloor for unevenness, carefully vacuum the entire surface.
Other Room Preparation
Skirting boards can be either removed or left in place, and the floor can be finished using Scotia or skirting board covers after installation.
Check that the doors can still open and close after the floor and underlay have been installed.
Cooking islands and other heavy objects should not be placed on top of the laminate. Install them first. The laminate flooring should be able to move around heavy objects to prevent open joints and separating planks.
Prepare the Materials for Installation
Before beginning installation, inspect the delivered flooring to ensure it is the correct one you ordered. Keep the end labels and receipt together for reference.
Allow the planks to adjust to the room’s temperature for 48 hours before installation. Keep the planks in their unopened packaging in the middle of the room where the floor will be installed. The ideal temperature range is between 15 °C and 22°C, with a relative humidity level of 30% and 75%.
Ensure the underlay is appropriate for the product and conditions. Always check with your supplier.
Gather the following materials for installation: hammer, saw (a jigsaw, hand circular saw, hand saw, or cross-cut saw), mouth mask (during sawing), pencil, tape measure, safety goggles, and gloves. You also need the following accessories: an installation kit (a pulling iron, spacers and a tapping block).
Install the Laminate Flooring
Measure and Plan the Layout
Before starting, carefully measure the length and width of the room to plan a precise layout to achieve a balanced appearance of the floor.
Subtract 20 millimetres from the room width (to account for the expansion gap) and divide the resulting number by the board width to find out how many full boards the room will take.
This will ensure that the last row isn’t too narrow. If it is less than 50mm, adjust the width of the first row so that the first and last rows are roughly the same size.
Lay down the Underlay
Install the underlay and push it as close as possible against the wall. Make sure you go in the same direction that you plan to lay your floor.
Use the flap and glue strip or adhesive tape to attach the rows together to ensure damp-proof installation.
Lay down the Laminate Planks
When installing the panels, ensure you mix them well enough to avoid placing too many identical, light or dark panels next to each other. For the best visual effect, fit the floorboards in the direction of the longest wall and parallel to the light incidence direction.
First, saw off the click profile on the long side and the short side that will be against the wall of the first plank. For other planks of the first row (not in the corner), remove the click profile on the long side that will be directly next to the wall.
Put down the first plank and wedge spacers along the walls to create an expansion gap. This will ensure that your expansion joint is wide enough: 8 to 10 mm (5/16” to 3/8”).
Place the plank at an angle at the short side and then push down to lock it in place. Continue to put the rest of the planks in the same way to complete the first row.
For the second row, cut the first piece of laminate flooring so that the joints for this row will be staggered. The spacing between two joints of adjacent boards must be at least thirty centimetres.
Align the long side tongue of the new plank with the groove of the already installed floor. Gently lower the plank to engage the lock.
For the succeeding planks, align the short side of the plank to be installed into the short side of the already installed plank at an angle, then lower it down. Then raise the newly installed plank to an angle of 20-30°. This will also raise the previously installed planks in the same row because their short sides are already connected. Now place your BOTH hands close to the joint and press the long side of the plank towards the previously installed row.
Alternatively, you can also tap the planks into each other without lifting them by using a tapping block. Tap the newly installed planks gently and gradually into place. Continue doing this to the end of the room.
After laying down all the planks, remove the spacers around the perimeter.
Add Finishing Touches
Install skirting boards or scotia to cover the expansion gaps. Remember to attach them against the wall and not to the floor to allow the floor to expand and contract.
Want a versatile, durable, and cost-effective flooring options of laminate flooring?
Schedule your measure and quote with Carpet One Bendigo today!
Professional Laminate Installation
Installing laminate flooring can be a great DIY project that can transform the look of your home. It’s important to prepare the surface correctly and gather all the necessary materials before starting.
Careful planning and precise measurements will ensure a balanced and professional-looking finished product. With patience and attention to detail, you can successfully install laminate flooring in your home and enjoy your beautiful new floors.
However, if you’d rather have your flooring professionally installed, Carpet One Bendigo can provide assistance.
We offer professional laminate flooring installation services that ensure a hassle-free experience for our customers.
Our team of experts can help you with the entire installation process, from selecting the right type of laminate flooring to installation and finishing touches. You can rest assured that your laminate flooring will be installed perfectly and look beautiful for years to come.
If you’re in the market for new flooring and are considering laminate, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more. Laminate flooring is an excellent and affordable alternative to timber flooring, featuring ultra-realistic designs and textures that mimic expensive timber species.
Our team of experts at Carpet One Bendigo is happy to answer any questions and help you choose the best laminate flooring for your needs.
Contact Carpet One Bendigo today to schedule a measure and quote.
