Say hello to stylish floors without the hassle
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Whether you’re building a new house or simply tired of your old floors, laminate flooring is worth installing because of its durability and ease of maintenance. But who should you contact when you want laminate flooring professionally installed? We’ll break down everything you need to know, from who installs laminate flooring to how the process is done.
The best pro to contact for this project is a laminate flooring contractor. Their expertise provides multiple benefits, including the assurance that the job will be done correctly, no matter what type of laminate you want. You won’t have to worry about incorrect measurements, uneven lines, or gaps between laminate planks. Every cut will be precise and every plank perfectly aligned for a beautiful laminate floor. This also saves time and energy since laminate floor installation is a tedious process that takes several days. It also requires using a chop or circular saw, which some homeowners may prefer to avoid.
Another benefit of professional installation is that it increases laminate floor longevity. An incorrectly installed floor might face issues down the line, including warping, buckling, squeaking, and an overall shorter life span. Even though repairing laminate flooring is relatively cheap and easy (at least compared to other types of floors), it’s an ordeal you want to avoid, and professional installation makes those issues far less likely to occur.
Yes, it’s certainly possible to install laminate flooring yourself. In fact, it’s one of the easiest kinds of floors to install since the planks click together without glue or mortar. One advantage of the DIY route is that it saves hundreds of dollars compared to hiring a pro. You’ll just have to pay for materials; laminate is cheaper than other flooring types, costing around $1 to $5 per square foot.
However, you’ll incur additional costs if the laminate is installed incorrectly, so we recommend that many homeowners hire a pro. While costs vary based on the material and size of the room, professionally installing laminate floors costs $1,470 to $4,640.
Yes, most general contractors can install laminate flooring. Even if it isn’t their specialty, general contractors are comfortable working on floors, and laminate is one of the most straightforward types of flooring to install. We recommend hiring a laminate flooring contractor because they specialize in the task, but a general contractor will get the job done, too. However, you may pay more for a general contractor as their broad experience comes at a higher hourly cost.
The installation process is the same whether you DIY or hire a pro. Here are the primary steps:
Prepare the subfloor: Remove paint, adhesive, and staples so the laminate planks can lay smoothly.
Undercut the door jambs: Use a handsaw, chop saw, or circular saw and cut the planks to fit underneath any door jambs.
Cut laminate flooring: Plan the layout and cut the laminate planks accordingly.
Install the underlayment: Underlayment is a protective layer of foam that prevents moisture from seeping under the laminate and helps with insulation and soundproofing.
Install spacers along the wall: Spacers accommodate for the expansion that occurs when laminate is exposed to moisture and humidity.
Install the first row: Place the first planks down with the tongue side facing the wall.
Install planks row by row: Stagger the remaining planks and insert the tongue edge into the groove of the adjoining planks.
Install transition strips: Remove the spacers and place transition strips to fill the gaps between rooms and doorways.
