Today there are many manufacturers producing laminate flooring products. Most have their own specific installation guidelines; however, the overall process is the same.
Almost all laminate floors employ a floating floor installation, meaning the planks simply lay on top of the floor without being adhered to the subfloor. They are only adhered to each other on the edges. Or, the side seams can be joined using a glueless installation where the planks tightly interlock together.
The six steps1. The first step an installer takes when installing a laminate floor is to closely inspect the subfloor for any imperfections. While no floor is perfectly level, the subfloor should be checked for any noticeable gaps or ridges that could cause problems.
2. The floor is then cleaned. The installer will also make sure the laminate planks or tiles have had sufficient time to acclimate to their new surroundings.
3. The next step is to put down an underlayment directly over the subfloor. This allows the floor to expand and contract with changes in temperature and also acts as a sound and moisture barrier. The underlayment is typically rolled out and taped together at the seams. Installers will cut the pieces of underlayment where needed with a precision utility knife to make a perfect fit.
4. Begin in the left corner of the area and leave a minimum ¼-inch space between the flooring and the perimeter walls. This is done because the laminate requires space around the edges of the room to expand or contract. If the floor is touching or too close to a wall, it can buckle in the middle.
5. Along the wall, use spacers to ensure the accuracy of this perimeter space. They use one spacer for each square foot. Once the floor is fully installed the spacers are removed and the perimeter gap is covered with quarter round trim or a wall base.
6. To finish the installation, molding is added to cover the perimeter gap as are transition trim pieces needed in doorways or where the laminate meets a different type of flooring.
Four types of installation1. Glueless. This method lends itself to quick and easy installations. A thin, plastic underlayment is needed to seal out moisture from below.
2. Attached underlay. These floors come with several different types of tongue and grooved locking systems and an attached underlayment to reduce noise levels.
3. Glued flooring. The original laminate floors that require a special formulated glue to be applied to the tongue and grooved areas for each plank.
4. Pre-glued. The glue is already applied to the tongue and grooves. A thin, plastic underlayment is needed to seal out moisture and prevent the glue from sticking to the substrate.
