Tools Needed for Installing Laminate Wood Flooring
You’ll need to prepare for your laminate wood flooring installation with the proper tools which include the following:
- Handsaw or table saw
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Pull bar
- Tapping block
- Spacing blocks
- Tape Measure
- Utility knife
- Pencil
You’ll also need the proper materials which include:
- Laminate flooring
- Underlayment
- Shoe molding
- Finishing nails
Once you have all of your tools and materials, you’re ready to begin.
Follow These Simple Steps to Install Laminate Wood Flooring
1) Acclimate the flooring. Flooring should lay flat in the room intended for installation at least 48 hours prior to installing which allows it to contract or expand and acclimate to the room’s temperature. This is important to prevent buckling after installing.
2) Remove the baseboard. Use the pry bar to remove baseboard from the wall and set aside to reinstall after your floor installation. Installing floating laminate planks should be done on a smooth, hard surface such as vinyl or the subfloor. If installing over the subfloor, make sure to remove all debris, nails, staples before rolling out the underlayment. Installing a foam underlayment makes the floor more resilient and helps to deaden sound.
3) Plan your layout. Plan to lay your planks lengthwise with the longest wall, avoiding a narrow strip at the focal point wall, with planks in the last row measuring at least two inches wide. Leave a ¼” gap against each wall to allow for expansion. *If the last row would measure under two inches, add the width to the width of a plank, divide by two and cut the first and law row planks to this width.
4) Cut your first row of planks. Cut with the finished side down when using a power saw, or with the finished side up when using a handsaw, keeping your planks secure with clamps when cutting. Wedge the spacers between the wall and planks to leave the ¼” gap against the wall.
5) Install your first row of planks. Install your first row with the tongue side facing the wall, or cut the tongue edge off as recommended by the manufacturer. Lay each plank next to the other connecting the tongue and grooves. Make sure the planks fit snugly together with the pull bar, hammer and tapping block if necessary, cutting the last plank to fit.
6) Install all rows of flooring. As you lay the next row, stagger the seams at least 12 inches from the adjoining rows. Keep any scrap you cut off at the end of rows if they are longer than 12 inches, and you can often use them again when starting new rows. Gently pry your planks into place at an angle for a tight fit and be sure leave the ¼” expansion gap at the wall.
7) Cut around door casings. Use the jamb saw to cut the door casing above the height of the floor, rather than cutting the planks around the door casing.
8) Reinstall trim. Reinstall your baseboard with a hammer and finishing nails once your planks are in place.
Now that you are finished with successfully installing laminate wood flooring, you can sit back, relax and enjoy your beautiful new floor. If this seems like too much work, call on the flooring experts at Great Western Flooring. We offer wood laminate flooring in all types, shades and wood grains from the best flooring manufacturers. We provide experienced installation for a beautiful floor that will last for many years.
Great Western Flooring is a leading floor and tile company offering quality flooring products. We offer complimentary design consultations and professional installation. Contact us to learn more about our full line of flooring products and for any questions you may have with installing wood laminate flooring.
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