How to Lay Laminate Flooring Neatly
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1. Check the room and prepare the floor
Empty the room as much as possible, remove old trim if needed and check the subfloor is clean, dry and flat. Let laminate packs acclimatise in the room as recommended by the manufacturer. Fit the correct underlay for the floor type and tape joints where required.
2. Start straight and keep the expansion gap
Use spacers around the edge so the floor can expand. Start from the longest sensible wall and check the first rows carefully because they set the line for the whole room. Stagger board joints so short ends do not line up in obvious stripes.
3. Cut around doorways and final rows carefully
Doorways, radiator pipes and final rows take the most time. Measure each cut, keep expansion gaps hidden by trim and use a pull bar where the final row cannot be angled into place. Undercutting architrave can look cleaner than cutting awkward shapes around it.
4. Finish with trim and thresholds
Remove spacers only after the floor is complete, then refit skirting or add scotia trim to cover the gap. Fit a threshold strip at doorways so the edge is protected. Vacuum dust before moving furniture back, and use felt pads under heavy items.
Useful tools
- Tape measure, pencil and square
- Spacers, tapping block and pull bar
- Underlay and joint tape
- Jigsaw, handsaw or laminate cutter
- Threshold strip, trim and adhesive or fixings
Planning tools
Use the Flooring Packs Calculator before ordering. Add waste for cuts, awkward rooms and future board replacements.