How to lay laminate flooring

Laying a laminate floor is an ideal job for the home owner with some DIY experience, and the results can be spectacular. It's essential that the laminate boards are laid on a dry, level surface so spend time sorting out any loose floorboards, damp areas or woodworm problems before ordering your new floor. Call in a professional if necessary.

Time to complete job: This is a weekend project for a small to medium-sized room.
Approximate budget: From about £10 per square metre.

First steps
Laminate floors are hard wearing but only certain types are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, so check before buying.

You can make the job quicker and less messy by using lock-together laminate that doesn't need gluing. This means you will also be able to take up the boards easily and relay them somewhere else in the future.

For further information, log on to The Contract Flooring Association website.