How to Install Laminate and Hardwood Flooring

I know that doing a strenuous project such as this can seem like a challenge but if you follow these guidelines I promise you will reemerge with the feeling that you can accomplish anything.So before you go and waste thousands of dollars paying for the same minimal labor that you can do yourself take a look at these steps.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Tools

Safety Glasses
Table Saw
Rubber Hammer
Wood Glue
Circular Saw
Knee pads
Spacers
Moisture Meter(optional)

Materials

Locking Laminate Hardwood Planks /Locking Hardwood Planks
Locking Bamboo
Self-Leveler Mix
Underlayment (Optional for Hardwood)
Matching quarter rounds
Transition pieces

Step 2: Prep. Work

General Preparation

Move the Furniture
Remove the previous flooring if necessary.(Step 3)
Measure the Installation site(s).
Clean the floor (sweep, mope, and sand if necessary)

Check the floor for areas that are uneven or if you see cracks and holes

Simply mix the self leveler with a gallon of water (the water amount will very to the mix size)
Pour the mix on the areas that require it, the use of a trowel to smooth it out is not required.
Wait about 48 hours to allow the mix to set and the moisture to level to decrease in the room. You may also perform moisture test using a Moisture Meter (optional).

Moisture testing

It is always recommended that you store you materiel in a climate controlled area.
Experts suggest leaving your planks in the designated installation area for a minimum of 48 hours before the installation to allow them to adapt to the amount of moisture in the atmosphere.

Step 3: Removing Previous Flooring

Only if it is required to do so please follow these steps, if not you may skip this section and get start on your installation.

Glued Down Carpet and Vinyl Flooring

Using a sharp utility knife slice deep cuts in the the carpet.
Pour water in the cuts allowing it to soak underneath the carpet.
The carpet should be ready to be stripped and removed.

Step 4: Placing the Underlayment

Underlayment is extra padding that placed on the floor underneath your install.

Underlayments come in different sizes, materiel, and thickness.
Underlayment is optional for Hardwood but is mandatory for Laminate.

Step 5: Proper Placement

Before you start gluing together your planks, plan out your floor.

If you attempt to lay and lock the planks evenly with one another you will find that they wont lay flat.
To prevent this, stagger the planks as you continue to place them through out the room.

Step 6:

Starting at the biggest wall in the area/room, begin placing planks against the wall separated by spacers. The space along the wall will later be there for you to go back and place quarter round pieces.

Step 7: Beginning the Install

Now begin interlocking the planks by the tongued edges inserting it at a 45 degree angle.

Step 8:

Use the tongue and groove adhesive to ensure a strong hold

Place the adhesive along the tongue of the plank just before you connect them.
Use a damp sponge to wipe excess.

Step 9: Door Jambs

Most homes were not initially designed for wood flooring, so you have to make some cuts. The cuts I am referring to are the ones you might have to make at the bottom of the door jambs using the Undercut saw.

Using one of the planks as a guide, set the piece next to the door jamb.
Set the flat part of the manual undercut saw on top of the piece
Begin sawing back an forth on the door jamb

Step 10: Almost Finished

Once your floor is installed you may begin placing your quarter rounds and transition pieces.

Quarter Rounds

Quarter rounds come in many different sizes, colors and designs to fit your floor.

Quarter rounds are the pieces of wood that are placed around the edge of the floor up against the wall.
Simply measure the length you need, cut it if necessary and glue it down using the urethane adhesive.

Transitions

Transition pieces come in many different sizes, colors and designs to fit your floor.