Many homeowners are choosing laminate flooring as a durable, scratch-resistant, and cost-effective option that requires very little maintenance. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that it’s relatively easy to install, even for a novice do-it-yourself homeowner.

To put down a laminate floor, you need to assemble a few tools, then watch one of the many videos out there that will take you through the whole process. Here are the basic steps:

Preparation: Make sure that the existing subfloor is level and free from any protruding nails or screws. Also, the floor needs to be freshly swept so that there’s no trash or debris under the new floor.
Doors, door jams, and baseboards: The new floor surface will be higher, so you may need to trim the doors and door jams to accommodate the height. As for the baseboards, you can either remove them or add quarter-round molding after the installation is complete.
Underlayment: Some laminate flooring comes with a layer of foam underlayment already attached. If that’s the case, you can begin laying the floor immediately. Otherwise, you’ll need to provide the underlayment. This is a thin foam fabric that you will roll out to cover the floor and tape it down so that it doesn’t move.
Installing the planks: Start against one wall and link the planks together, following the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
Attach transition strips: These are trim pieces you’ll add to transition from one flooring surface to another, as in a doorway.
Baseboards: Reinstall baseboards or add a quarter round to effect a finished look to your project.

If all of this sounds like a lot of work, or if you’re not particularly handy, it may be a good idea to have the flooring installed professionally. The benefit of hiring a pro is obviously that you’re not doing it yourself. You won’t have to purchase or rent any special tools, you won’t make any mistakes, and your back will feel just fine the day after. Hiring a professional will also give you the confidence that the installation was done properly, and if any problems arise, the installer should be able to rectify them for you.

For over 20 years, Floor Advisor has sold and installed various types of flooring, including laminate, carpet, waterproof floors, engineered hardwood, and solid hardwood. We proudly serve customers in several communities throughout Northern Virginia, including Gainesville, Alexandria, and Leesburg. Combining our flooring installation services with a comprehensive selection of materials in countless colors and designs has made us a leading service provider to homeowners. Our team will work with you to find a perfect flooring option for every room, including bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, basements, and bedrooms.

We have three locations to serve you:

Alexandria: 703-658-5353 5710 D General Washington Dr
Gainesville: 571-222-6810 5615 Wellington Rd, Suite 11
Leesburg: 571-919-4010 19304 Promenade Dr