There are many pros and cons to both do-it-yourself flooring installation and hiring professionals. Your decision should be based on your budget and your comfort with standard power tools. Laminate flooring installation has an intermediate level of difficulty, but it can be easy for most homeowners to take on.

Where do I start when doing flooring?

We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window). Planks are always installed from left to right.

Is it cheaper to do your own flooring?

Most homeowners choose to install their own floors, as you can save a lot of money by doing so. On average, installing the flooring yourself costs 0.50 to 15 per square foot for materials, not including your prep and labor time. Plus, you can have complete control over the process.

What is the rule of 3 flooring?

A good rule of thumb is to stick with two or, at the most, three types of floors for your whole house. For example, you could choose a type of large tile for high-traffic, high-spill areas like the kitchen, foyer and dining room. Then you could use smaller tile in the bathrooms.

What goes down before flooring?

You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.

What is the quickest flooring to install?

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) are also one of the best types of flooring to install quickly and without a mess. The simple installation process involves a click-and lock-system that easily fits over your floor’s sublayer. The new luxury vinyl floor is what’s known as a floating floor.

Can you lay the flooring yourself?

If you decide to install your laminate floors yourself, we recommend that, no matter what level you are, always work safely; practice common sense; read and understand the installation instructions before you begin; give yourself adequate time; and never attempt more than you feel comfortable doing.

Keep Reading

Laminate Flooring