Where Do You Start When Laying Laminate Flooring?

Always start hardwood flooring

along the most prominent and noticeable wall in the room

. This way, if the room is out of square, the crooked cut will be hidden under the cabinet’s toe kick. In order to keep the floor straight and square, start laying the laminate away from the wall because the wall may not be straight.

What is the proper way to install laminate flooring?

1. Step 1: Acclimate Your Planks and Prep the Subfloor. …
2. Step 2: Trim Door Jambs. …
3. Step 3: Install Underlayment. …
4. Step 4: Lay Your First Row of Laminate. …
5. Step 5: Continue Laying Planks. …
6. Step 6: Add Finishing Touches.

What are the steps to install laminate flooring?

1. Remove Tongue. Inspect each plank before beginning installation. …
2. Assemble First Row. Assemble the first row with tongue side way from the wall. …
3. Provide Space for Expansion. Provide a 3/8” space for expansion on all sides using wooden spacers. …
4. Check for Gap. …
5. Install Last Row. …
6. Apply Sealant.

What should I put down before laminate flooring?

A simple underlayment of foam sheeting

is usually sufficient as a base for laminate planks. If the floor surface has damage or unevenness, though, you may need to remove it and lay down a rigid underlayment of thin plywood before laying the foam sheets and installing the laminate flooring.

Do you have to cut the tongue of the first row of laminate?

Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8′′ for expansion. We recommend

cutting off the tongue on this first row

to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. … If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.

How soon can you walk on laminate flooring?

wait for the floor to cure

Before you use your new floor or move into the room, make sure the floor is completely cured. Do not walk on the floor

for 24 hours after installation

. If you do, it will damage the installation, resulting in an uneven floor.

How long does it take a professional to lay laminate flooring?

How long does it take to install laminate flooring? Installation in a typical 10-by-20-foot room is

four to five days

with an extra day added for each additional room. Laminate flooring needs at least two to three days to acclimate to the environment of a room to prevent problems like particle board expansion.

Can you start laying laminate flooring in the middle of a room?

If the laminate floor is a snap system, they like to be

installed in one width direction only

. That is, the groove, away from the wall. You can lay the product in the other direction, buts it’s a real pain, especially with the butt or small seams. Find the most prominant wall, do your math, and start there.

What side of laminate flooring goes to the wall?

The tongue

is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.

How do you start the first row of laminate flooring?

Begin the first row of flooring by

placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall

. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. When you come to the end of the first row, cut the length of plank needed to complete the row.

Do you glue laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is not recommended to be glued down

. Since it is a floating floor, it is meant to support itself via locking systems and have no connection to the subfloor.

Do I need to level floor before laminate?

While laminate tends to be more forgiving of subfloor imperfections than many other types of floor finishes,

installers must take the time to level the floor prior to installation

. A level subfloor ensures a more attractive and long-lasting finish, and helps to reduce the risk of visible damage over time.

How do you start the first row of laminate floor if the wall is not straight?

1. Step 1: Mark the Expansion Gap. …
2. Step 2: Determine Out-of-Square Measurement. …
3. Step 3: Begin at the Starting Wall. …
4. Step 4: Mark Half of Out-of-Square Measurement. …
5. Step 5: Angle and Intersect Chalk Lines. …
6. Step 6: Cut Boards at Markings.

How soon can you put furniture on laminate?

You want to ensure this has time to set fully. Some installers recommend 24 hour wait time, others

48 hours or 72 hours

. I recommend you wait at least 48 hours before walking or moving your furniture onto the new flooring.