How to Lay Wood Laminate
- 1). Unpack the flooring at least 3 days prior to installation and spread it out so it has a chance to acclimatize.
- 2). Spread floor leveling compound on the sub-floor where needed to fill depressions, cracks and holes. Let the compound dry, then sand down high points with a belt sander and vacuum up the sanding dust. Spread a plastic or foam moisture barrier over the whole sub-floor, and staple it down with a staple gun.
- 3). Start laying the flooring along a wall, beginning at one end of the room and working towards the other. As you lay the first course, be sure to leave a gap of 1/4-inch between the flooring and the wall to allow for expansion.
- 4). Set a board on the floor in the corner so the tongue is facing out, then snap another board onto the end. Connect the boards together by lifting the far end of the board you are installing, hooking its tongue into the groove of the board on the floor, and lowering the end of the board until they click together.
- 5). Cut the last board in the first course to the correct length with a circular saw. Remember to leave a 1/4-inch gap between the end of the board and the wall. Join this last board by setting it on the floor so its tongue just clears the end of the board next to it, then pulling it into that board with a pull bar. The pull bar is designed so that you can also tap it with a hammer, if necessary.
- 6). Cut the first board in the next course so that the ends of this course will be staggered at least 6 inches from the ends of the first course. Maintain this stagger interval for the balance of the installation.
- 7). Snap the boards together side-to-side in the same way that you connected the boards in the first course end-to-end. Use the pull bar to draw to boards together end-to-end in this and all subsequent courses.
- 8). Notch boards as needed to fit around door frames, cabinets and other obstructions with a jig saw. Use a metal-cutting blade on the jig saw to minimize chipping.
- 9). When you are ready to install the last course, rip the boards to fit with a circular saw, then use the pull bar to draw them together. Remember to leave a 1/4-inch gap between the flooring and the wall around the perimeter of the floor.
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