How to Lay Laminate Flooring: A Complete DIY Guide

Searching for a budget-friendly alternative to real wood flooring? Look no further than laminate flooring. Thanks to modern manufacturing techniques, laminate now offers incredibly realistic wood-like visuals, often indistinguishable from the real thing at first glance.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, laminate flooring is durable, moisture-resistant, and well-suited for high-traffic or high-humidity areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. It’s an excellent DIY-friendly choice that doesn’t compromise on style or performance.

Whether you're preparing for a laminate flooring installation or simply researching your options, this expert guide will walk you through how to lay laminate flooring — step by step — with practical tips and professional insight tailored to UK homes.

Essential Tools

One of the biggest advantages of laminate flooring installation is how DIY-friendly it is compared to fitting traditional hardwood floors. With a few essential tools and some basic preparation, many homeowners find they can achieve professional-looking results without hiring an installer.

If you're confident in your skills or keen to learn how to fit laminate flooring, here’s a list of the key tools you’ll need to ensure a smooth and precise installation:

• Hand saw or electric chop saw – for clean, accurate plank cuts
• Jigsaw – ideal for cutting shapes around door frames or corners
• Pencil & measuring tape – for accurate measurements and marking
• Underlay – to provide cushioning, sound insulation, and moisture protection
• Moisture meter – to check the subfloor’s moisture levels before installation
• Knee pads – for comfort during extended floor work
• Spacers – to maintain the necessary expansion gap around the room’s perimeter
• Pull bar – for securing planks at the end of each row
• 2m spirit level – to ensure the subfloor is flat and even

Having the right tools at hand will make your laminate floor fitting more efficient and help you avoid common mistakes during installation.

Preparation

Before you start laying your laminate flooring, it’s essential to perform proper site and material checks. Skipping these steps can lead to flooring issues such as warping, uneven surfaces, or poor longevity. Here’s how to prepare effectively for your laminate flooring installation.

1. Inspect the Floorboards

Before installation, carefully inspect all laminate planks for visible defects such as chips, warping, or discolouration. If any boards appear damaged, contact your supplier for a replacement. Only begin installation once you’re certain that all materials are in perfect condition.

2. Assess Site Conditions

• Subfloor Inspection: Check for moisture content and general humidity. While laminate is more moisture-resistant than hardwood, it can still suffer from humidity-related issues.
• Maintain Humidity Levels: Keep indoor humidity between 45% and 65% throughout the installation process.
• Subfloor Moisture Content: For both concrete and timber subfloors, ensure that moisture levels do not exceed 12% MC when tested with a surface prong meter.
• Subfloor Leveling: Ensure the floor is flat — surface variation should not exceed 3mm over a 1m span in any direction.

Before laying your underlay and boards, confirm that the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. A properly prepared subfloor is the foundation for a flawless and long-lasting laminate floor.

Acclimatisation

Just like hardwood flooring, laminate floorboards need time to acclimate to the environment where they’ll be installed. This step is essential for preventing expansion, contraction, or warping caused by changes in temperature and humidity.

Steps for Proper Acclimatisation

• Remove from packaging: Take the laminate boards out of their boxes to allow airflow around each plank.
• Store on-site: Place the planks flat in the room where they will be installed. Ensure they’re kept away from direct sunlight, radiators, or damp surfaces.
• Allow 48 hours: Let the laminate boards acclimate for at least 48 hours at room temperature before starting the installation.
• Follow manufacturer guidelines: Always check the specific acclimatisation instructions provided by the laminate flooring manufacturer. These may vary depending on product composition or finish.

By taking the time to acclimatise your floorboards, you’ll reduce the risk of post-installation movement and ensure a more stable, long-lasting floor that adapts well to your home’s conditions.

Underlay

Before laying any planks, it’s essential to install a high-quality underlay for laminate flooring. This crucial step supports long-term durability, improves comfort, and enhances your floor’s performance in multiple ways.

Why Underlay Matters

A proper underlay serves several important functions during and after your laminate flooring installation:

• Moisture barrier: Protects the flooring from moisture rising through the subfloor, reducing the risk of swelling or warping.
• Thermal insulation: Keeps your floor warmer and improves energy efficiency.
• Soundproofing: Reduces footfall noise and echoes — especially important in multi-storey homes or flats.
• Cushioning effect: Provides comfort underfoot and compensates for minor imperfections in the subfloor.

How to Choose the Right Underlay

Not all underlays are created equal. Consider the following factors when selecting the best underlay for your project:

• Installation site conditions: Are you working over concrete, timber, or an uneven subfloor? Some underlays offer built-in damp-proof membranes for extra protection.
• Laminate flooring type: Some laminates come with an integrated underlay — in which case, additional layers may not be necessary.
• Personal comfort preferences: Choose an underlay that meets your sound, softness, and insulation needs.

By choosing the right underlay, you’ll enhance both the functionality and comfort of your laminate floor, ensuring a high-performing result that lasts.

The Process

Once you've prepared the subfloor, allowed the boards to acclimatise, and selected the right underlay, it's time to begin the actual laminate flooring installation. Always follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions for your flooring product, as slight variations in technique or layout may apply.

Key Steps in the Laminate Installation Process

• Leave an Expansion Gap:

  Be sure to leave a consistent expansion gap (typically 8–12mm) around the entire perimeter of the room. This allows the laminate to naturally expand or contract with humidity and temperature changes, preventing buckling or warping.

  Tip: These gaps will be hidden by skirting boards or scotia trims after installation.

• Follow Manufacturer Guidelines:

  Always refer to the laminate product’s official installation manual. This includes guidance on underlay compatibility, plank spacing, locking mechanisms, and acclimatisation time.

• Start with a Straight Wall:

  Begin laying your first row of floorboards along a perfectly straight wall. Use spacers to maintain the correct expansion gap and ensure alignment for subsequent rows.

• Use the Right Joining Method:

  Most modern laminate floors use a click-lock system for easy, glue-free fitting. However, some products may still require glue. Always use the technique recommended for your flooring type.

Benefits

• Quick and Easy Installation: Laminate flooring uses a simple click-lock system, making it ideal for DIY installation. No glue or nails required.
• Cost-Effective: Laminate is more affordable than hardwood or natural stone, offering a budget-friendly option that doesn’t sacrifice visual appeal.
• Durable and Scratch-Resistant: Highly resistant to wear, scratches, and fading — perfect for high-traffic homes with children or pets.
• Moisture Resistance: While not waterproof, laminate handles humidity better than solid wood, making it suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
• Wide Range of Styles: Available in dozens of colours, textures, and patterns that mimic real wood flooring, tile, or stone.
• Low Maintenance: A quick sweep or vacuum and occasional damp mop is all that’s needed to keep laminate floors looking great.
• Comfort and Insulation: Underlay adds cushioning and provides thermal and sound insulation, improving comfort underfoot.
• Eco-Friendly Options: Many laminate products are made using recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing practices.
• Sound Absorption: With the right underlay, laminate flooring helps reduce ambient noise throughout your home.
• Easy Repairs: Damaged planks can often be individually replaced, unlike hardwood, which may require full refinishing.

With its blend of affordability, style, and practicality, it’s easy to see why laminate flooring installation continues to be a popular choice for modern homes. By following the right preparation and fitting steps, you can enjoy a beautiful and durable floor for years to come.