Step 1: Choose the Right Products
Measuring Your Space to Calculate Material Needs
Step into any showroom and you’ll find an overwhelming number of options when it comes to laminate flooring. There’s more to consider than just the look. They can be made up of a diverse range of materials, from real wood to tile or resin, and each has its own list of pros and cons. Each combination affects the product’s durability, function, and cost. Talk with a professional about the best option for your space, since not all products serve all purposes. For example, look for water-resistant or waterproof options for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Basements or other concrete floors have special requirements, too.
Before you can order or purchase your flooring, you’ll need to measure the space. Think of each room as a rectangle or square. To calculate the square footage, measure the length times the width of each space. If you have a closet, alcove, or other cutout, measure it as a separate space. Once you’ve added up all the square footage, add 10% for cut-off waste. Calculate the number of boxes of flooring you need by dividing the total square footage by the coverage amount. For example, if your space is 778 square feet (with 10% waste added in) and each box covers 15.71 square feet, your calculation will be 778/15.71=49.52 boxes. So you’ll need 50 boxes to complete the job. You will also need transition pieces for doorways and areas where your flooring meets up with another flooring material, such as carpet. It’s typically more cost-effective to order the transition pieces at the same time as the flooring. Some companies won’t even ship transition pieces as stand-alone items. In addition to flooring, you’ll either reinstall your existing trim or get new trim to finish the look. Plus, you may need an underlayment. Some planks come with the underlayment attached. If yours doesn’t, you’ll need to buy and roll it out before installing the flooring. If you’re installing over concrete, the underlayment will need to provide a vapor barrier. You may also want to consider whether soundproofing underlayment makes sense for your project.
Step 2: Gather Tools and Materials
You don’t need a lot of special tools to install laminate flooring, but you will want to have a good understanding of how to use a miter saw. Alternatively, you can use a circular saw or jigsaw. Also, have a good quality tape measure, a sharp utility knife with extra blades, and a straight edge or triangle for making cuts. Other tools include a pencil, chalk line, level, rubber mallet, pull bar, pry bar, and a tapping block. While you can use a scrap piece of wood as your tapping block, this is one specialized tool that’s worth the investment. You’ll also want some spacers to use around the edge as you work. Finally, make sure to use safety glasses, ear protection, and gloves as needed.
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May 2025
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