Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. Insert the second plank into the first at an angle pressing the short ends together; then press it down.

How do you start the first row of laminate flooring?

Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall. Install the second plank next to the first by aligning the tongue into the groove and press the plank down to snap it in place. When you come to the end of the first row, cut the length of plank needed to complete the row.

Do you have to cut tongue off laminate flooring?

Start your first row by placing the planks with the tongue side against the wall. You can also trim the tongues off the boards in the first row with a utility knife. However, because the baseboard will cover a bit of your first and last row, trimming off the tongue is not necessary.

Do you start with the tongue or groove?

Which side is the tongue, which the groove, and which goes first during installation? The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.

How do you start the first row on laminate floor if the wall is not straight?

If the wall isn’t straight and you start a full course of flooring against it, then the whole floor will look crooked. The solution is to angle-cut the lengths of the first and last courses for your laminate floor layout pattern, so the floor is straight even if the walls aren’t.

What part of the room should you start laminate flooring?

Always start hardwood flooring along the most prominent and noticeable wall in the room. This way, if the room is out of square, the crooked cut will be hidden under the cabinet’s toe kick. In order to keep the floor straight and square, start laying the laminate away from the wall because the wall may not be straight.

Do you need to glue tongue and groove flooring?

The recommended glue for floating installation is Tongue and Groove engineered flooring glue. Glue placement is very important. The glue must be placed along the topside of the groove the full length of the grooved side and end.

What side of laminate flooring should I start?

We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window).