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DIY Laminate - Video Recommendations & Tips

I'm laying my own laminate flooring this weekend, and it's my first time doing anything like this. 

Has anyone got any tips and tricks they discovered when doing laminate themselves for the first time? Looking for a total novice outlook, assume I know nothing.  

Also, if anyone has any videos they can share that are 100% reliable, that would be great. I've watched the main ones on youtube (Wickes vid, for instance) and have bought everything they told me to, but you never know if these videos are thorough and cover everything, or if they skip most of the good stuff for the sake of reducing the running time for clicks. 

I've already got the laminate + a ton of extra packs for waste and mistakes, beading, underlay, caulk, a jigsaw & laminate blades, measures, set squares, workbench, decent wood saw, spacers, and all the usual tools. 

I'm NOT doing it myself to save cash, although that will be a happy outcome if it all goes well. I'm doing it to build up my DIY skills and because I'm trying to take a 'do it myself first'  attitude as long as any repairs won't cost more than the original job. If it does go horribly wrong, I've got the funds to pay someone to make it right. 

I also have a mate helping me who has  done 'similar' DIY before and is very handy at this kind of thing. But they've never laid laminate before. 

Comments

  • ThisIsWeird
    ThisIsWeird Posts: 7,601 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hi Tain.
    I think it would help if you showed us the floor areas you intend to cover, what they are currently made from, and an idea of how flat, even, and unspringy they are, and also the type of laminate you hope to use.
  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,542 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I've always removed the skirting boards, numbering them on the back as I removed them . You can leave your expansion gaps all round and then refit skirting above rather than use edge strips
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  • How big is the room you are planning to laminate? Also what are you laying it on? Any bumps?

    The flooring we purchased (reduced to clear due to damaged box) was for under the stairs pantry "room" (there was just a concrete floor) and it was our first time. No video sadly but lessons learned:
    • check the instructions in the pack on fitting and recommended adhesive/underlay (we didn't bother with underlay or adhesive except for the edges)
    • if you are cutting, get a rotatory saw if you can otherwise jigsaw would do (but take your time to ensure a nice smooth straight line!)
    • measure, measure, and measure!
    • Prep, prep, and prep - this means sweep, vacuum, check skirting, edges, etc
    • check the flooring against the floor or carpet attached to ensure for same level (so check the thickness of the underlay and whatever adhesive you want to use)

  • spannerzone
    spannerzone Posts: 1,561 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 9 September 2023 at 10:39AM
    Measure twice at least before making any cuts... it's VERY easy to cut the planks and realise you've not taken into account which end you need to connect to the next plank...and you find you've sawn off the wrong end, eg the cut ends goes agains the wall and not where the next plank joins, sounds silly but I kept nearly making this mistack when I did laminate!

    Stagger the planks as per manufactuters suggestions, open up and view the planks as multiple packs will contain the same wood prints (mine had about 7 variations of plank patterns, so the same planks show up several times in my room but careful cuts/positioning hides this.... and it's too easy to put identical planks next to eachother and if they have knots or designs, seeing the same knots close together spoils the look.

    Make you subfloor as smooth and level as possible, if going over old floorboards, make sure they don't squeak and ticket them up, remote lumps (old nail heads etc) and lay laminate in opposite direction to your existing wood floorboards (if you have them)

    Leave expansion gaps around the edges as directed.... that's important.

    I found this video useful, bit of a character but some useful tips.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypioqrfQdXk

    Never trust information given by strangers on internet forums
  • I was supposed to be laying laminate floor but it's too hot for that. What make is your floor, if it's 'Golden Select' I can give you some tips.
    Nothing to see here, move along.
  • DO NOT cheap out on the supplies used. Buy thick laminate - at least 8mm, but ideally 10-12mm. And buy decent underlay - ideally the foil underlay. You will be glad to spend extra when the cold weather comes!
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,242 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Browntoa said:
    I've always removed the skirting boards, numbering them on the back as I removed them . You can leave your expansion gaps all round and then refit skirting above rather than use edge strips
    A multitool is also handy for undercutting the architrave round the door.
    Use an offcut of laminate, slot in to the board you are laying, and tap the offcut with a hammer if you need to close up any gap.

    Don't forget that the bottom of the door may well need trimming, so be prepared for that when the time comes.

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