How to Lay Laminate or Vinyl Flooring Yourself

Laying your own laminate or vinyl flooring is one of the most satisfying DIY jobs you can do—and it can completely transform a room in a single weekend. With a bit of planning and the right tools, there’s no need to hire a tradesperson. Whether you’re updating your living room, hallway, or bedroom, this step-by-step guide will show you how to do it properly.

Laminate vs Vinyl: What’s the Difference?

Before you start, make sure you’ve picked the right material:

  • Laminate flooring is made from compressed fibreboard with a photographic surface and protective top layer. It clicks together easily and mimics wood or tile finishes.

  • Vinyl click flooring (also known as LVT – Luxury Vinyl Tile) is water-resistant, flexible, and great for bathrooms and kitchens. It installs in a similar way to laminate but has more give and is quieter underfoot.

Both are available in click-lock systems, meaning no glue or nails required.

What You’ll Need

  • Flooring packs (with 10–15% extra for offcuts)

  • Underlay (foam for laminate, specialist vinyl underlay for LVT)

  • Spacers

  • Tape measure

  • Utility knife or laminate cutter

  • Pencil

  • Rubber mallet

  • Pull bar & tapping block

  • Jigsaw (for tricky cuts around door frames or pipes)

Step 1: Prepare the Subfloor

Your subfloor needs to be clean, dry, and level. Use a spirit level to check for dips or bumps—anything over 3mm needs to be levelled out using a floor levelling compound.

Remove all old flooring (unless your vinyl is going directly over tiles), vacuum thoroughly, and let the new flooring packs acclimatise in the room for at least 48 hours before installation.

Step 2: Lay the Underlay

Roll out your underlay across the room, trimming it to fit wall to wall. Tape the seams to prevent movement.

  • For laminate: Use foam underlay for general use or acoustic/thermal underlay for extra comfort.

  • For vinyl: Use the specific underlay recommended by your supplier—some LVT options don’t require any.

Step 3: Plan Your Layout

Start from a straight wall (usually the longest one) and lay planks left to right, working across the room. Always stagger the joints (minimum 200mm apart) for strength and a natural look.

Use spacers around all walls to allow a 10mm expansion gap—this stops the floor from buckling with temperature changes.

Step 4: Cut and Click the Planks

Click the boards together row by row, angling the plank and snapping it into place with light taps using a tapping block and mallet. Use a jigsaw or laminate cutter to make accurate cuts at the end of each row.

Use a pull bar to tighten up boards at the ends or in tricky corners.

Step 5: Finish the Edges

Once the floor is down:

  • Remove spacers

  • Fit skirting boards or scotia beading to cover the expansion gap

  • Reinstall doors or trim them if needed

Give the floor a final clean—and enjoy your new space!

Final Tips

  • Don’t forget door thresholds if you’re transitioning to another floor type

  • Never hammer planks directly—always use a tapping block

  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially for waterproofing and warranties

Need tools, underlay, or advice? Visit our flooring section or chat with our team—we’ve got everything you need to do it right, first time.