How to Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate is one of the most DIY-friendly floors because the planks click together and float over the subfloor. Here is the overall process so you know what is involved.
-
Acclimate the planks
Leave the boxes flat in the room for 48 hours so the planks adjust to the home temperature and humidity.
-
Prep the subfloor
Clean and level the subfloor. It must be flat and dry; add a moisture barrier over concrete.
-
Lay underlayment
Roll out underlayment unless your planks have an attached pad. Tape the seams.
-
Plan the layout
Measure the room and plan plank direction so the last row is not a thin sliver. Leave a quarter-inch expansion gap at the walls.
-
Click the planks together
Start along the longest wall, stagger the end joints row to row, and angle each plank into the previous one until it clicks.
-
Finish the edges
Cut the final row to fit, then install transitions in doorways and baseboard or quarter-round to cover the expansion gap.
Tips
- A tapping block and pull bar make the clicks tight without damaging plank edges.
- Keep the expansion gap — laminate needs room to move or it can buckle.
Ready to move forward?
See your options in the visualizer, estimate materials with the calculator, or skip the DIY and let a trusted local pro handle it — the in-home measure is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install laminate myself?
Many homeowners do. The click-together planks float over the subfloor, so no nails or glue are required. The keys are a flat, dry subfloor and a consistent expansion gap.
Do I need to remove old flooring first?
Often you can float laminate over existing hard, flat flooring, but not over carpet. A local pro confirms what is safe during the free measure.
Reviewed June 2026.