Once the boards have been delivered, read the instructions carefully and check the flooring for any defects, as warranty claims cannot usually be made once the planks are installed. Next, as temperature and humidity can affect flooring, you should allow the laminates to adapt by storing them for 48 hours in the climate (room) where you plan to fit them.

Laminate flooring can be laid on any smooth, flat sub-floor provided it is dry, firm and level. It should be ‘floating’, which means it’s not glued or nailed to the underfloor surface. Start by removing the skirting boards, and lay down an underlay to protect against moisture. For best results, place the boards lengthways towards the main light source of the room.

To fit the laminates, start from a corner positioning the first row of boards along the longest straight wall. Install the first plank with the groove towards the wall and place plastic spacers between the boards. This creates an expansion gap allowing the boards to breathe, which will help to prevent them from warping or buckling at a later date.

For each plank, match tongue to groove and tap it into place using a scrap piece of flooring. The last board of the row will need to be cut so mark it with a try square and cut it with the finished surface facing up using a jigsaw, or a circular saw for straight lines. Begin the second row, starting with the off-cut from the first row, and continue across the room. Push the completed rows firmly together, adding more plastic spacers along the two side walls. Once complete, remove the spacers and put the skirting board over the boards.

For a precise finish around doorways, lay a piece of flooring flat on the subfloor and up against the door jambs before trimming with a saw for a clean edge.

Eric Streuli, Bosch Power Tools