Walls, Floors + Ceilings
Laying a Laminate Floor
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.
You will need:
- Laminate floor packs
- Underlay
- Adhesive
- Craft knife
- Drill
- 20mm (7/8in) wood bit
- Panel saw
- Tape measure
- Spacer blocks
- Fitting tool
- Edge block
- Hammer
- Try square
- Panel pins
- Timber edge moulding
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.
Step 1: Preparing the floor
Take off the skirting boards. You can replace them later on top of the laminate or add timber mouldings to hide the edges of the new floor.Remove any grit from the floor with a vacuum.
Roll out the first two strips of underlay along the longest straight wall, starting in one corner.
Cut the underlay with a craft knife.
Tip: Take off any inward-opening doors to make the job easier.
Step 2: Laying the first row
To allow the laminate to expand as the room is heated, place plastic spacers every 60cm (24in) along the longest straight wall and lay the first row of boards with the groove side facing the wall, starting from a corner.Squeeze a bead of glue along the tongue and groove joints at the ends of the boards.
You will probably need to cut the last board of the row to fit. Mark a line across the piece with a try square and saw with the finished surface facing up.
Step 3: Laying and fitting
Continue laying the laminate across the room. Begin the second row with the off-cut of the board used at the end of the first row.Stagger all the end joints by at least 30cm (12in) and use a fitting tool to pull the ends of the boards together.
Make sure the edges of the boards are forced together by gently tapping the edge block against the grooved side of each board.
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