Secrets to Installing Laminate Flooring: If you’re planning to install a laminate floor, and you’re not an expert, there are a few crucial things to know, many of which are not immediately obvious. First, this isn’t a task you should undertake alone—get at least one or two people to help you. Most rooms are sizable, and even a small room requires two to three planks in a row. All joints need to be supported while locking the new row into the previous one, which is impossible to do by yourself!

Next, the quality of the laminate matters. The tongue and grooves on each board might be made of nothing more than fibreboard, essentially pressed cardboard. To avoid poorly made laminates, invest in good quality laminate. Ask the store clerk about the materials of available laminates. Bamboo laminate, for example, is durable and affordable. If you end up with inexpensive laminate like fibreboard, remember that you can reposition each board only five to six times before the tongue and groove start to deteriorate. For inexperienced installers, you might quickly use up these attempts. If a board doesn’t connect properly, set it aside for later use and try again with a new one. It’s better to try a fresh board than to end up with a shoddy floor.

Another valuable tip: if a board has a damaged tongue, you don’t necessarily have to discard it. If the groove is only slightly damaged, you can trim the damaged part and use the shorter plank for an end or corner. For damaged tongues, you can use wood glue to re-attach it to the board. Allow it to dry for about 24 hours. If the plank feels solid afterward, you can use it again.

Finally, there’s the underlayment fabric between the bare floor and the laminate. Ideally, the entire floor should be covered, but if you run short, you can use folded newspaper as a substitute. Place several pages together and fold them to match the thickness of the underlayment. However, only do this for a small area, a few inches at most.