Laying laminate flooring is one of the most popular DIY flooring projects in the UK — and for good reason. It’s stylish, practical, affordable and, with the right preparation, very achievable for confident DIYers.
The most common mistakes when laying laminate flooring include skipping underlay, not leaving expansion gaps, installing on uneven subfloors, and not acclimatising the boards properly.
But while laminate is designed to be easier to install than many traditional floors, there are still a few common mistakes that can cause problems later on. From uneven boards and gaps to lifting edges and noisy flooring, most issues usually come down to preparation, underlay or installation technique.
Here are the most common mistakes when laying laminate flooring — and how to avoid them.
1. Not letting the laminate acclimatise
One of the biggest mistakes is laying laminate flooring as soon as it arrives. Laminate needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room before installation.
If it is fitted too quickly, the boards may expand or contract after installation, which can lead to gaps, lifting or movement.
How to avoid it: Store the unopened packs flat in the room where they will be installed for the recommended acclimatisation period. Always check the manufacturer’s fitting instructions for the exact guidance.
2. Skipping the expansion gap
Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means it is not fixed directly to the subfloor. It needs space around the edge of the room to expand and contract naturally.
If you fit laminate too tightly against walls, door frames, pipes or fixed units, the floor can push against them and start to lift or buckle.
How to avoid it: Use spacers around the perimeter of the room and leave the expansion gap recommended by the manufacturer. The gap will usually be covered by skirting boards or beading once the floor is finished.
3. Laying laminate over an uneven subfloor
Laminate flooring needs a clean, dry and level surface underneath it. If the subfloor is uneven, the laminate may feel bouncy, noisy or unstable underfoot.
Over time, uneven areas can also put pressure on the click system and cause joins to open up.
How to avoid it: Check the subfloor carefully before installation. Remove debris, deal with high spots, fill low spots and make sure the surface is suitable before you begin.
Planning a DIY install? You may also want to read our guide to how to lay laminate flooring.
4. Choosing the wrong underlay
Underlay is not just an optional extra. It plays an important role in comfort, sound reduction, stability and moisture protection.
Using the wrong underlay — or no underlay at all — can affect how the floor feels, sounds and performs.
How to avoid it: Choose an underlay that is suitable for laminate flooring and for your subfloor type. For concrete subfloors, you may need a built-in damp proof membrane or a separate moisture barrier.
Shop flooring underlay or read our guide: Do You Need Underlay for Laminate Flooring?
5. Installing laminate in the wrong room
Laminate flooring is hardwearing and practical, but not every laminate floor is suitable for every room. Standard laminate is generally water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, so moisture-heavy areas need extra care.
This is especially important in kitchens, bathrooms, utilities and busy entrances where spills, splashes and wet shoes are more common.
How to avoid it: Check the product specification before buying. For areas where water resistance matters, look for suitable water-resistant or waterproof laminate options.
Shop waterproof laminate flooring, or explore our full laminate flooring range.
6. Not staggering the boards properly
A common fitting mistake is lining up the joins too closely from row to row. This can make the finished floor look unnatural and may also reduce stability.
Laminate should usually be staggered so the short joins are spread across the floor in a more balanced pattern.
How to avoid it: Follow the manufacturer’s minimum stagger distance and avoid creating obvious repeating patterns unless the product is specifically designed that way.
7. Cutting boards badly around edges and doorways
Rushed cutting can make an otherwise good floor look unfinished. Poor cuts around door frames, radiator pipes and edges are often the areas people notice most.
How to avoid it: Measure carefully, use the right tools and take your time around detail areas. For door frames, undercutting the frame can often give a much neater finish than cutting the laminate around it.
8. Forgetting about door bars and trims
Doorways, thresholds and transitions between rooms need to be planned before you start laying the floor. Leaving this until the end can make finishing the room more awkward.
How to avoid it: Think about where the laminate will finish, where it meets other flooring, and what trims or door bars you’ll need before installation begins.
9. Fitting laminate under fixed units
Because laminate is a floating floor, it needs to move naturally. Fitting it underneath heavy fixed items, such as kitchen units or built-in furniture, can restrict movement and cause issues later.
How to avoid it: Fit laminate around fixed units rather than trapping it underneath them. Always follow the product fitting guidance for heavy furniture and fixed installations.
10. Buying purely on price
Everyone loves a good deal, but choosing the cheapest laminate without considering room type, thickness, wear rating, water resistance and finish can be a false economy.
A low-cost laminate may be fine for a spare room, but a busy hallway, kitchen or family living space usually needs something more durable.
How to avoid it: Choose laminate flooring based on how the room is used. Think about foot traffic, pets, children, spills, furniture and long-term wear.
Shop laminate flooring and order free samples before you decide.
Explore laminate flooring by style
Looking for the right laminate for your room? Explore our most popular laminate flooring collections:
- Laminate flooring
- Waterproof laminate flooring
- Grey laminate flooring
- Herringbone laminate flooring
- Light laminate flooring
- Oak laminate flooring
Quick checklist before laying laminate flooring
- Check the flooring has acclimatised
- Read the manufacturer’s fitting instructions
- Make sure the subfloor is clean, dry and level
- Choose the correct underlay
- Leave the correct expansion gap
- Plan trims, door bars and thresholds
- Stagger boards correctly
- Order samples before buying your full floor
Need help choosing the right laminate flooring?
At Flooring Revolution, we make it easy to find laminate flooring that looks great, performs well and suits your budget. Whether you’re updating a hallway, kitchen, bedroom or full home, our range includes stylish, practical options for every space.
Not sure which floor is right? Order free samples and see your favourites at home before you buy.
Related guides
- Do you need underlay for laminate flooring?
- How to lay laminate flooring
- Best laminate flooring for kitchens
- Waterproof laminate flooring guide
FAQs
What is the most common mistake when laying laminate flooring?
One of the most common mistakes is not leaving an expansion gap around the edge of the room. Laminate flooring needs space to expand and contract naturally, so fitting it too tightly can cause lifting or buckling.
Do you need underlay for laminate flooring?
Yes, most laminate flooring requires underlay unless it already has underlay attached. Underlay helps with comfort, sound reduction, stability and moisture protection, depending on the type you choose.
Can laminate flooring be laid in a bathroom?
Only certain laminate floors are suitable for bathrooms. Standard laminate is usually water-resistant, not fully waterproof. For bathrooms and moisture-heavy areas, choose a product specifically designed for those conditions.
What happens if you do not acclimatise laminate flooring?
If laminate flooring is not acclimatised before fitting, the boards may expand or contract after installation. This can lead to gaps, lifting, movement or pressure on the click system.
Can you lay laminate over uneven flooring?
Laminate should not be laid over an uneven subfloor. The surface needs to be clean, dry and level before installation. Uneven areas can cause movement, noise and damage to the locking system over time.
