How to Install Laminate or Vinyl Plank Flooring
Click-together laminate and luxury vinyl plank are the most DIY-friendly floors there is — no nails, no glue, just a flat subfloor and a little patience. Nail the prep and a floating floor goes down fast and looks pro. Tap “Add to my materials list” as you go.
1Acclimate the planks
Lay the unopened boxes flat in the room for at least 48 hours so the flooring reaches the room’s temperature and humidity before you lock it in.
2Prep the subfloor
The subfloor must be clean, dry, and flat to within ~3⁄16” over 10 ft. Grind high spots and fill lows with self-leveler — an uneven base is the #1 cause of failed click joints.
3Add underlayment if needed
Install foam underlayment (and a 6-mil vapor barrier over concrete) only if it isn’t already attached to the planks. Never stack two pads — it makes the floor spongy and stresses the joints.
4Plan the layout and expansion gap
Set plank direction, balance the first and last rows, and stagger end joints 6–12”. Leave a ¼–⅜” expansion gap at every wall and fixed object, kept continuous all the way around. Buy 5–10% extra for waste.
5Click the planks together
Angle each plank’s tongue into the groove and lower it until it clicks, tapping the long seam tight with a block and snugging end joints with a mallet, row by row. Rip the last row to width and pull it tight with a pull bar. The calculator sizes your flooring and underlayment.
6Add transitions and trim
Install T-moldings at doorways and large spans, then cover the expansion gap with baseboard or quarter-round nailed to the wall, never the floor, so the floor can still move. The calculator sizes the baseboard run.