Install Laminate Floor First Rip

Flooring that has been left outside or in a cold atmosphere is fully contracted.

Install laminate floor first rip.

First you need to look at the condition of the current floor. If the flooring you purchase can be installed over existing flooring you will still need to consider some other things. If the laminate is installed while it is still cold it will slowly come to room temperature and change in size. Lay your first course of tongue and groove laminate floorboards down along the starting wall with the groove side facing the wall.

Screw a strip of the same thickness to the floor next to the wall. Install the planks for the second and subsequent rows using a similar but slightly different technique than you used for the first row. Now install the new flooring but keep it about a inch from the first filler strip. In this video i am showing how to install laminate flooring for the first time.

The flooring will be able to expand and contract beneath the toekick without revealing a gap. When you come to the end of the first row cut the length of plank needed to complete the row. If you start installing the flooring right when you bring it inside then part of the floor will be installed cold. Mark half of out of square measurement.

Step 1 layout the first few rows of laminate or vinyl plank flooring. For these rows hold each piece at a 45 degree angle and insert the long tongue edge into the groove of the planks in the preceding row then lower the piece flat to the floor to lock the joint. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. Cut the final piece as needed on your miter saw leaving a 1 4 inch expansion gap.

Finally install the cabinets on both strips and attach the toekicks. Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. Monitor the temperature of the laminate. If the current flooring is fixed to the subfloor and in good condition you may be able to apply a new flooring over top.

When installing a floating laminate floor you don t need to use any adhesive nails or staples. Let s get started and i will show you how to install the first row of laminate flooring it is really important to build a solid foundation to work off of.