Looking to upgrade your space with beautiful, durable flooring? Laminate flooring is one of the smartest and most budget-friendly ways to transform your home. With its wide range of textures, finishes, and styles that mimic the look of real hardwood—without the hefty price tag—it’s become a top choice for homeowners across Canada. Even better? It’s DIY-friendly and built to last.
In The DIY Guide to Installing Laminate Flooring in Your Home (Step-by-Step with Pro Tips!), we’ll walk you through every stage of the installation process, from prepping your subfloor to locking in the final plank. Along the way, you’ll get insider advice from industry pros to ensure your floors look flawless and perform for years to come.
Why Choose Laminate Flooring?
Laminate has quickly become a top flooring choice for Canadian households, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s what makes it such a standout option:
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Affordable Price Point: Laminate offers the aesthetic of hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
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Durability: Scratch-resistant and water-resistant options make it perfect for busy households with kids or pets.
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Low Maintenance: A simple sweep and occasional lightly damp cloth are all it takes to keep it looking like new.
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Versatile Design Options: From rustic oak to sleek greys and hand-scraped finishes, there’s a style for every home.
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DIY-Friendly: Thanks to its click-lock installation system, laminate is one of the easiest floors to install yourself.
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Great for High-Traffic Areas: It’s a fantastic option for living rooms, hallways, basements, and even bedrooms.
What You’ll Need Before You Begin
Before installing laminate flooring, make sure you have the following tools and materials:
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Laminate flooring planks
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Underlayment (if not pre-attached)
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Spacers
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Tape measure
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Utility knife or laminate cutter
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Rubber mallet
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Tapping block
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Pull bar
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Jigsaw (for cutting around obstacles)
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Moisture barrier
Step-by-Step: Installing Laminate Flooring
Step 1: Prepare the Subfloor
Proper subfloor preparation is one of the most critical steps when installing laminate flooring. A clean, level, and dry foundation ensures your flooring lasts longer, feels secure underfoot, and avoids costly issues like warping or shifting over time.
Here's how to properly prepare your subfloor:
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Remove old flooring: Pull up any carpet, vinyl, or laminate. Nail heads or staples left behind must be fully removed or hammered flush.
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Clean the subfloor thoroughly: Sweep and vacuum to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Even small particles can cause uneven surfaces or damage the locking mechanism of the laminate.
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Ensure it's completely dry: Laminate is susceptible to moisture. If you're installing in a basement or over a concrete subfloor, use a moisture metre to confirm acceptable levels.
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Level the surface: Use a long level to check for high or low spots. If needed, use a self levelling compound to ensure a flat, level surface prior to initiating the install.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Taking time here will save you hours—and money—down the road. Subfloor issues are one of the leading causes of squeaky or uneven laminate floors.
Step 2: Install the Underlayment
Underlayment is a thin layer of padding that provides sound reduction, moisture protection, and comfort underfoot.
Steps to install underlayment:
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Roll out the underlayment across the room in the same direction you'll lay the planks.
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If required, install a separate vapour barrier for moisture protection (especially over concrete).
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Overlap edges slightly and tape seams with underlayment tape.
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Avoid overlapping the underlayment too much, which can cause unevenness.
🛠️ Pro Tip: Some laminate planks come with pre-attached underlayment. If yours does, you can skip this step—but still check if a vapour barrier is needed.
Step 3: Plan Your Layout
A little planning goes a long way. The goal is a natural-looking, visually balanced floor with minimal waste.
Layout tips:
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Measure the room to determine how many full-width planks will fit.
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If the final row is less than 2" wide, trim the first row to balance it.
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Stagger the end joints by at least 12 inches to avoid repeating patterns.
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Mix planks from different boxes to ensure a more natural variation in woodgrain patterns and colour tones.
Step 4: Install The First Row
Start in the left-hand corner of the room, placing the first plank with the tongue side facing the wall.
Installation tips:
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Insert spacers between the plank and the wall.
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Connect each plank end-to-end, locking them into place by angling and pressing down.
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Use a rubber mallet and tapping block to secure joints firmly.
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Ensure the first row is perfectly straight—everything else builds off it.
Step 5: Continue the Rows
Now that your first row is in place, you’re off to the races.
Here’s how to keep momentum:
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Begin each new row with the cut-off piece from the previous row (at least 12" long).
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Click the long edge of each plank into the one beside it at a 10–20° angle, then press flat.
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Use your tapping block and mallet to lock the joints tightly.
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For tight areas (like near walls or under door frames), use a pull bar to help secure planks.
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Continue across the room, maintaining the expansion gap with spacers.
Step 6: Trim and Finish
You’ll inevitably run into areas where planks need to be trimmed—around vents, corners, or doorways.
Cutting tips:
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Use a jigsaw for curved or awkward cuts.
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Always measure twice before cutting.
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When trimming for door jambs, use a scrap plank and a handsaw to undercut the frame so the laminate can slide underneath.
Step 7: Final Row and Finishing Touches
The final row usually requires you to rip the planks lengthwise.
Final steps:
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Measure the space and cut the planks to fit, accounting for the expansion gap.
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Use the pull bar to lock the final pieces in place.
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Remove all spacers from the room perimeter.
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Install quarter-round or baseboards to cover the expansion gap (nail to the wall, not the floor).
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Sweep, vacuum, and enjoy your brand-new floor!
Pro Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring
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Acclimate your flooring: Let planks sit in the room for 48 hours before installation.
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Check for moisture: Test subfloors to avoid future warping.
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Use a pull bar: Great for tight spots like under door frames.
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Keep your pattern consistent: Mix planks from different boxes to avoid repeating patterns.
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Protect high-traffic areas: Add rugs or floor protectors under furniture.
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Don’t forget transitions: Use the proper moldings to transition between laminate and other flooring types.
FAQs About Installing Laminate Flooring
Can I install laminate flooring myself?
Yes! Laminate is one of the most DIY-friendly flooring types. If you’re comfortable using a saw and measuring tape, you can likely handle the project. For complex layouts or stairs, hiring a professional is recommended.
Do I need underlayment with laminate?
Yes—unless your laminate comes with a pre-attached under-pad. Underlayment adds sound dampening, insulation, and moisture protection.
Is laminate flooring waterproof?
Many modern laminate floors are water-resistant, and some are fully surface waterproof for extended periods of time. Be sure to confirm the rating before choosing a product for bathrooms or basements.
How long does installation take?
An average-sized room (200–300 sq. ft.) can be completed in a day depending on your experience. Larger or more complex spaces may take longer.
Not Sure If DIY Is Right for You?
While laminate flooring is one of the most DIY-friendly flooring options available, many homeowners we speak with find that—after doing their research—they’d rather leave the installation to a professional. Whether it’s concerns about subfloor prep, tricky layouts, or just the time involved, opting for expert help can ensure a flawless, stress-free result. If you're on the fence, we’re happy to walk you through your options and help you decide what’s best for your home and budget.
Schedule a Free In-Home Consultation
Need help with your laminate flooring project? Let our installation experts guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re a DIYer looking for the right materials or want professional installation, we’ve got you covered.
📞 Call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation and bring your flooring vision to life!
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Installing laminate flooring doesn’t have to be complicated — not when you have the right guide and the right support.
With the right tools and know-how, your next flooring project can be a smooth success!
Not sure if you want to do this yourself or need pro help? Give us a call and lets talk about it, getting an installation quotation is free and may give you some piece of mind.