How To Start Laminate Wood Flooring

The laminate flooring in this project has a soundproof backing and wood finish.

How to start laminate wood flooring.

Use the remainder of the laminate flooring planks you cut at the end of row one to start the next row as long as it s longer than 1 foot. It snaps together by lining up at an angle and then flattening out the row being installed. This thin dense foam layer helps to absorb sound provides a thermal barrier makes it easier to walk on the laminate and helps the flooring bridge minor gaps and bumps in the underlying floor. It can be installed over any other tightly bonded flooring making it ideal for retrofits.

Start the second row where you started off the first. This will stagger the seams which results in a more natural look. Install the underlayment or vapor barrier. Install additional rows of laminate wood flooring.

In order to keep the floor straight and square start laying the laminate away from the wall because the wall may not be straight. Always start hardwood flooring along the most prominent and noticeable wall in the room. Starting the rows with different sized planks will create a staggered look which actually makes the laminate flooring stronger. If it s not start the row with a plank cut to a length greater than 1 foot.

You often can start a new row with the scrap from the plank you cut to end the previous row. As you snap on new rows stagger the seams at least 12 inches in adjoining rows much like you d see on a wood plank wall or a brick wall. Place the first plank next to one of the walls in the corner then snap the end of it into the next plank in the row using the built in tongues and grooves. Flooring manufacturers always recommend putting down underlayment before laying the laminate.

A laminate floor is a floating floor meaning it is not fastened directly to the subfloor. Installing laminate flooring is a snap literally. To save the edges of the flooring boards use a tapping block or rubber mallet to tap adjoining rows together image 1. The product we are using in this video is lowes quick step.

This way if the room is out of square the crooked cut will be hidden under the cabinet s toe kick.