Top Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring can completely transform your home, but only if it’s installed correctly. A few simple laminate flooring installation mistakes can make even premium laminate wood look uneven or wear down too quickly.

To help you get it right the first time, we’ve outlined the most common laminate flooring mistakes and how to avoid them. Whether you’re going the DIY route or hiring an installer, these tips will help your laminate floors last beautifully for years.

1. Skipping Subfloor Preparation

Even the best laminate wood can’t hide what’s underneath. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is laying it over an uneven subfloor. Bumps, cracks, or debris can cause the planks to shift, separate, or even creak.

Always start with a smooth, level base and test it with a straightedge, and even use a levelling compound if needed.

2. Forgetting the Expansion Gap

Laminate flooring expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes. Failing to leave a small expansion gap of about 8–10 mm around the room edges is one of the most common laminate flooring mistakes.

Without that gap, your floor could buckle or lift when it expands. Use spacers along the walls to maintain even spacing as you go.

3. Not Using the Right Underlay

A quality underlay helps with sound absorption, comfort, and moisture control. Many laminate flooring errors happen when people skip underlay completely or choose one that doesn’t match their subfloor type.

SAWLFA experts recommend foam or cork underlays paired with a moisture barrier for rooms like kitchens or basements.

4. Installing Without Acclimating the Planks

Laminate planks need time to adapt to your home’s conditions. Unbox them and let them rest flat in the room for at least 48 hours before installation, which will help prevent warping and gaps later. This is a classic example of laminate flooring installation mistakes that can easily be avoided.

5. Rushing the Layout

Before the first plank goes down, plan your layout carefully. Measure the room, check where the planks will end, and avoid having a narrow strip along one wall.

Starting without a plan often leads to wasted boards and uneven joints — one of the most overlooked mistakes to avoid when installing laminate flooring.

Are you ready to upgrade your space with stunning, long-lasting laminate flooring? Browse our expert-approved laminate wood floor collections and get guidance from SAWLFA-aligned installers who know how to avoid every pitfall.