Preparing the Floor

• Before installing laminate flooring, it is important to prepare the surface in advance. It means you need to take out any other kind of flooring you have already got and also remove padding or carpet on the floor.
• Scrape out track strips from the sides and any other material from the surface of the floor. In case you notice the surface is uneven, level it out evenly.
• Use a saw to slice out door jambs from the bottom and also take out baseboards.
• A thick underlying pad is expensive, but recommended instead of cheap thin ones. Note the thickness of this pad and accordingly cut out case ope0nings or door jambs.

• To start with, you will have to lay down the underlying pad on the floor surface. All pieces need to be taped or snapped together, depending on what the manufacturer has provided.
• A unique feature of laminate flooring is that it is joined with itself and with the house. Thus, you will have to leave about ј" of space at every wall.
• Now start laying down the flooring according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. You may need a pull bar and mallet to ensure close fittings.
• The difficult part will come once you try to install the flooring between doorways. The best way to go about this would be taking help of a utility knife to scrape snappers of adjacent planks, to make it possible for them to slide in together. Also, use an adhesive to ensure they permanently stick together.

• After your laminate flooring installation is done, it is time to fix the baseboards.
• You would not need new ones if you had removed them carefully. They can be easily reinstalled. In case you had not, you will need to cut out and install new ones.
• Mark and seal all joints and do not hammer nails on to planks. Make adjustments if the baseboard does not cover the entire area.

• A few laminate flooring brands come with a foam underlay, attached below the boards. Make use of them as it is a good way to save some time while laying down floors.
• Never try and install laminate flooring on an uneven surface. Prepare your surface well before you start the installation. Preferably use a leveling compound for this.
• While purchasing the laminate flooring kit, check the AC rating on it. This suggests the quality and consequently you can determine which one is suitable for you home, depending on the place you wish to install laminate flooring.
• Laminate flooring should be installed in a direction parallel to sunlight falling at home. This shall enhance the beauty of your laminate flooring.
• Refrain from installing laminate flooring on floor surfaces which have a drain.