Are you tired of outdated flooring in your home, but hesitant to pay someone else to handle the installation? With a little bit of know-how and some elbow grease, you can install laminate flooring yourself and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps needed to achieve professional-grade results. Let’s get started!

1. Determine the layout of your flooring 📐👷🏽‍♀️

Before you start laying down your new flooring, you need to have a plan in place. Check the manufacturer’s directions to see what their recommendations are for installation. Sketch out a rough idea of how you want the flooring to look once it’s installed, taking into account any doorways, closets, or other areas where you’ll need to make cuts.

Person sketching out flooring plans on a notepad

2. Prep your space 🧹🚽

Now that you have a plan in place, it’s time to get your space ready for installation. Remove any old flooring and dispose of it properly. Clean the subfloor thoroughly to remove any debris or dirt. Check for any uneven spots or cracks and make any necessary repairs before you start laying down your new flooring.

Person clearing out old flooring with a broom and dustpan

3. Install the underlayment 💡🚪

An underlayment is a thin layer of material that is installed between the subfloor and the laminate flooring. It’s important because it provides a smooth, level surface for the laminate planks and helps to reduce noise. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the underlayment, making sure to align the seams and use construction adhesive to hold it in place.

Person laying down an underlayment sheet on a subfloor

4. Start installing your laminate planks 🪚🔨

Now it’s time to start laying down your new floor! Begin at one corner of the room and work your way across in rows, following the manufacturer’s recommended installation pattern. Use a tapping block and a mallet to secure each plank in place and make sure that the seams are tight.

Person installing a laminate plank with a tapping block and mallet

5. Cut planks to fit 🔪📏

As you reach the edges of the room or encounter obstacles like pipes or doorways, you’ll need to make cuts to your laminate planks. Use a saw or a laminate cutter to make precise cuts, taking into account any necessary expansion gaps.

Person using a saw to cut a laminate plank to fit around a doorway

6. Add finishing touches 🎉🏠

Once you’ve installed all of your laminate planks, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Install baseboards or quarter-round around the edges of the room to cover the expansion gaps and give your flooring a polished look.

Person installing baseboard trim along the edge of a laminate floor

Congratulations, you’ve successfully installed your own laminate flooring! With a little bit of effort and patience, you can achieve professional-grade results that will make your home look beautiful for years to come.

An image showing a beautifully installed laminate floor