Laminate flooring is an affordable and attractive option for homeowners, offering the look of hardwood without the high cost or maintenance. It’s also relatively easy to install — but even small errors during installation can lead to long-term problems. Whether you’re tackling a DIY project or supervising a professional job, it’s important to be aware of the common mistakes when laying laminate flooring and, just as importantly, how to fix or prevent them.
Check the instructions for your exact flooring before starting: acclimatisation, subfloor moisture and flatness, underlay, expansion gaps and the click system all matter. The guidance below highlights common mistakes; product-specific instructions take priority.
1. Skipping the Acclimation Period
The mistake: Installing boards before the required acclimatisation can cause movement as they adjust to the room.
How to correct it: Follow the pack instructions. For example, Quick-Step’s July 2026 laminate guide specifies 48 hours with boxes unopened and flat in suitable room conditions. Do not unpack boards to speed this up.
2. Not Preparing the Subfloor
The mistake: Laying laminate over a dirty or uneven subfloor. This leads to instability, creaking, or even cracked boards after a while.
How to correct it: Check moisture as well as flatness, cleanliness and stability. Resolve damp or loose sections before fitting; use preparation products approved for the substrate. Underlay does not replace these checks.
3. Selecting the Incorrect Underlayment
The mistake: Using the wrong underlayment or skipping it entirely. This is one of the common mistakes when laying laminate flooring, especially over concrete or when dealing with moisture-prone areas.
The solution: Install a specifically laminate and subfloor type-compliant underlayment. If pre-attached underlayment is included in your laminate, don’t add an additional layer unless recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Not Leaving Expansion Gaps
The mistake: Fitting planks tightly against walls without leaving any room for expansion. This is one of the most overlooked yet critical common mistakes when laying laminate flooring and it usually leads to buckling or lifting.
How to fix it: Use the expansion allowance specified for your product and room, including doorways and fixed objects. One gap size is not correct for every laminate. Keep the floating floor free to move.
5. Staggering of Planks That Is Not Done Correctly
The mistake: Placing plank joints directly over one another in successive rows. This compromises the strength and offers an unnatural appearance.
How to correct it: Follow the chosen plank or herringbone layout. Quick-Step’s straight-plank instructions require adjacent end joints at least 30cm apart; use your own product’s stated stagger and minimum cut-piece sizes.
6. Cutting Corners on Measurements
The mistake: Inaccurate cuts and poor measuring can lead to wasted materials, gaps, or uneven edges, especially around corners and door frames.
How to fix it: Measure twice, cut once. Plan the first and last rows before cutting, allowing for expansion. Use suitable eye and dust protection. Keep only sound offcuts that meet the product’s minimum dimensions.
7. Not Tapping Planks Correctly
The mistake: Piling planks together with excessive force or utilizing the wrong tools can destroy the lock mechanism.
How to fix it: Identify the click system before joining boards. Only use tapping tools where its instructions allow them, with the specified block or pull bar. Never hammer an exposed locking edge; replace damaged boards.
Conclusion
Avoiding the common mistakes when laying laminate flooring can mean the difference between a long-lasting, professional-looking floor and one that starts to show problems within a few months. Spending time allowing the boards to acclimate properly, getting the subfloor ready, and installing the flooring using proper techniques will yield a beautiful and long-lasting result. And if you’ve already run into any of these problems, it’s not too late — a lot of them can be resolved with the proper tools and a bit of patience.
Take the next step toward beautiful, long-lasting floors with Burgess Flooring
Need help choosing laminate or checking an installation problem? Book a showroom appointment with Burgess Flooring in Worthing or Littlehampton. Bring your room measurements, product details and photographs so the team can discuss the next step. Quick-Step’s current laminate installation guidance is a useful manufacturer reference, not a substitute for the instructions supplied with another brand.
1. How can I determine if my subfloor is level enough for laminate flooring?
Use a straightedge and compare the result with the manufacturer’s permitted deviation over its stated test length. A bare figure such as “3mm” is not enough without the distance measured.
2. Can I repair laminate planks that are already buckled due to lack of expansion gap?
Sometimes, but establish the cause first. Moisture, restricted movement or damaged joints may need different remedies. Ask an installer to assess a lifted floor before recutting boards.
3. Can I reuse laminate planks if I make an error during installation?
If the locking system is not broken, yes. Otherwise, it’s better to install a new plank in its place.
4. Do I need to glue laminate planks together?
Many click laminates are fitted floating, but joint treatments depend on the exact product and detail. Do not glue joints or fix boards to the subfloor unless its instructions explicitly permit it. A room being a bathroom does not, by itself, make glue appropriate.
5. Where can I find high quality laminate flooring options in the UK?
Visit Burgess Flooring’s Worthing or Littlehampton showroom team to discuss suitable laminate designs, samples and fitting requirements. Check the chosen range’s room suitability and current installation instructions before buying.