DIY: How to Install Laminate Flooring Like a Pro

Let me be honest with you—installing laminate flooring is one of those DIY projects that might seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is. Trust me, I’ve been there. The first time I decided to tackle laminate flooring, I had zero experience. I was staring at those boxes of planks, thinking, “How the heck am I going to do this?” But with a bit of patience and the right tools, I felt like a pro by the time I was done.

So, if you’re planning to transform a room in your home with laminate flooring, let me walk you through how I did it, step by step. I’ll share some of the mistakes I made so you can avoid them, and I’ll give you the tips that made the job a lot easier.

1. Prepping the Room: Patience Pays Off

Before I even touched a plank of laminate, I had to prep the room. I’m not going to lie—this part can be a little tedious, but trust me, it’s absolutely worth the time. Here’s what I did: I started by removing the old flooring. In my case, it was some pretty worn-out carpet that had seen better days. Ripping it out felt like an accomplishment in itself, but then came the tricky part—making sure the subfloor was clean, dry, and level.

One thing I learned the hard way? Do not skip the leveling step. I had a few small dips in the floor that I thought wouldn’t matter. Guess what? They did. After the floor was installed, I noticed the laminate planks had a slight bounce in those areas, which drove me crazy. So, if you have any low spots in your subfloor, take the time to fill them with a leveling compound. It’s an extra step, but it’ll save you a lot of frustration later.

Also, make sure you sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly. Any little debris or dust can get trapped under the laminate, and you’ll feel it every time you walk over that spot.

2. Acclimating the Laminate: Don’t Rush It

Here’s a step that a lot of people overlook, and it’s one that I almost skipped because I was so excited to start: letting your laminate planks acclimate. You want to let them sit in the room for about 48 hours before installation. This lets the planks adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity, which is important because laminate can expand or contract slightly based on these factors.

I didn’t realize how important this was until I helped a friend install laminate in his house, and he skipped this step. A few months later, his floor had weird gaps between some of the planks because they expanded after the fact. Lesson learned: don’t rush the process.

3. Underlayment: The Silent Hero

Now, let’s talk about underlayment. If your laminate flooring doesn’t already have it attached, you’ll need to roll out a layer of underlayment on the subfloor before you start. This stuff is like the unsung hero of laminate flooring—it helps with noise reduction, smooths out minor imperfections in the subfloor, and provides a little cushion underfoot.

When I was doing my first install, I chose a basic foam underlayment. It was affordable and easy to work with, but there are all kinds of options depending on your needs. For example, if you’re installing laminate in a basement or any room prone to moisture, you might want to invest in an underlayment that has a built-in vapor barrier.

Pro tip: make sure the underlayment is laid out smooth and without wrinkles. I made the mistake of overlapping it a bit too much in one corner, and you could feel the bump under the laminate when you walked over it. Needless to say, I had to go back and fix it, which was not fun.

4. Laying the First Row: Get it Right from the Start

Okay, here’s where the fun really begins: laying down that first row of planks. Let me tell you, getting the first row right is so important. If that first row is crooked or not perfectly aligned, the rest of the floor will be off. So take your time here.

When I was doing this, I started by using spacers along the walls to leave a small expansion gap (usually about 1/4 inch). This gap is crucial because laminate flooring expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. It might seem weird to leave a gap, but trust me, you won’t notice it once the baseboards are in place.

One thing I found helpful was to use a chalk line to ensure my first row was perfectly straight. If you try to eyeball it, you’re just asking for trouble. Trust me, I learned this the hard way in one of the smaller rooms I did. The first row was slightly off, and by the time I got to the other side of the room, I had planks that wouldn’t lock together properly. Do it right the first time, and you’ll thank yourself later.

5. The Click-Lock System: Easier Than You Think

Most laminate flooring nowadays comes with a click-lock system, which makes installation pretty simple. The planks are designed to snap together, so there’s no need for glue or nails. Honestly, I was intimidated by this at first, but after a few rows, I got into a rhythm and it became kind of fun. You just click one plank into the next at an angle, then lay it flat. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be cruising through the rows in no time.

Here’s a tip I picked up: use a pull bar and tapping block to gently tap the planks into place. This ensures a snug fit without damaging the edges of the laminate. I skipped this tool at first, thinking I could just tap them together by hand, but I ended up chipping a couple of planks. Lesson learned.

6. Cutting Planks: Measure Twice, Cut Once

When you reach the end of a row, you’ll need to cut some planks to fit. This part made me nervous because I didn’t want to mess up. But it’s actually easier than it seems. Just measure the space where the plank will go, mark the plank, and use a miter saw or jigsaw to make the cut.

One thing I didn’t realize at first was that you should always cut with the finished side facing up, especially if you’re using a saw. This helps prevent chipping along the edge. Trust me, I learned that the hard way after my first few cuts were pretty rough.

7. Finishing Touches: Baseboards and Transitions

Once all your planks are down, you’re almost there! The last step is adding the baseboards and any necessary transition pieces where your laminate meets other types of flooring. The baseboards will cover that expansion gap we left earlier, and they give the room a nice, finished look.

When I was installing my laminate, I chose simple white baseboards to match the trim in the rest of the house. Installing them was pretty straightforward—you just need a nail gun or some finishing nails.

As for transitions, these go between your laminate and any other flooring types (like tile or carpet). I used a metal transition strip where my laminate met the kitchen tiles, and it gave everything a seamless, professional look.