What should I put down before laying laminate flooring?

Laminate planks can be installed on top of a simple foam underlayment. In some cases, you may need to remove the floor and lay down a thin plywood underlayment before installing the foam sheets and laminate flooring.

Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate?

The tongue side of the first plank should face the wall, with an allowance of 1/8″ for expansion. To avoid issues with the expansion gap, it’s best to remove the tongue entirely on the first row. After pressing the short ends together, insert the second plank at an angle into the first, and then press it down.

What part of the room should you start laminate flooring?

Does it matter which way you lay laminate flooring?

When it comes to the overall look of your room, the direction of your floorboards has a significant impact. As a general rule, place your flooring parallel to the room’s primary light source and to the room’s busiest entrance.

What side of laminate flooring should I start?

Install the planks in the direction of the primary light source, starting at the leftmost corner of the room’s longest wall (e.g. the main window). From left to right, planks are always installed.