How to install laminate flooring

Introduction
More and more over the last few years, laminate flooring has become increasing popular as a way to get the look and feel of hardwood floors, without worrying about their delicacy, their price, and how to take care of them.  Laminate flooring offers an incredible variety of styles for a fraction of the price of hardwood flooring.  And since it's a piece of cake to take care of, you don't have to worry about upkeep.

If you are wanting to install your laminate flooring yourself, it really isn't all that hard to do.  Just follow these easy steps and you're on your way to a beautiful laminate floor!

Instructions
Difficulty: High

Materials needed

• laminate flooring
• saw
• tape measure

Steps

Step One: 

The very first step in installing laminate flooring is also the most fun step!  Choose your floor!  Begin by deciding what you need.  Where will your floor go?  Is it for your kitchen?  Is it for your kids' room?  Is it for the study?  Laminate flooring is perfect for all of these different options.  You also need to determine your decor.  What type of feel do you want in your room?  Do you want the look of natural wood?  What type of wood?  Do you want a colored floor that looks like painted wood?

Step Two: 

Measure your room and determine your budget.  Measure your room so that you know the measurements and how much laminate you will need.  Also determine what your budget is.

Step Three: 

Go price shopping.  Now it's time for you to go shopping!  Having decided what type of look you want as long with what your budget is, it's time for you to go comparison shopping.  Look in your phone book and start calling suppliers.  You will also want to look online for discount suppliers.  Write down the prices so that you can compare them easily.

Step Four: 

Purchase your flooring.  Once you have decided upon a laminate flooring, it's time to go buy it.  Ask questions of the salespeople.  Make sure that you get your sales agreement in writing.  Also ask questions about warranties.  Choose the flooring with the best warranty for you.  Get the warranty in writing.  And look at it carefully.  If your flooring is delivered damaged, ask for the refund that you deserve.

Step Five: 

Read the manufacturer's manual.  Even though the basic steps are the same for installing all laminate flooring, each laminate flooring manufacturer has very specific procedures.  You need to read the manual for the exact and specific information for your own brand of flooring.  Also, if you install your flooring incorrectly, you will void the warranty is you make any mistakes.

Step Six: 

Install a sub floor.  Typically, you need to install a level, no bounce sub floor for you to be able to lay down the laminate planks.  Generally speaking, you need to lay a floor that is completely flat and sound.  The voids can't be any wider than 3 inches.  Make sure that the high spots are ground off.  The low spots need to be filled so that the floor is flat.  Account for a ¼" gap along the entire perimeter; the sub floor can't be too close to the wall or touching the wall.

Step Seven: 

Allow your floor to acclimate.  All new laminate floors need to be allowed to acclimate.  You should let your floor acclimate for at least two or three days.  Bring your planks home and set them in the room for two or three days so that it can adjust to the environment before you begin installing it.

Step Eight: 

Install your floor.  Install your laminate floor carefully according to the specific manufacturer's instructions.

Tips and tricks

• if you don't feel ready to install your floor yourself, call a professional.
• don't forget to follow the instructions in the manufacturer's manual exactly, so that you don't forfeit your warranty.