Laminate flooring has become an increasingly popular and convenient option for DIY installation in recent years giving an easy to clean floor without the dust that is associated with carpets. 

The most commonly used type has been the glue-less, click together variety which are available in a large number of wood effects such as beech and oak and in a range of qualities to suit light domestic use through to heavy domestic or office uses. Manufacturers have added more choices to their ranges over the years, moving away from the simple tongue and groove planks, with their often very visible seams, with the latest fashions including textured finishes and bevelled edges.

For upstairs rooms where sound insulation is a factor the floor is laid on top of the thicker fibre-based under-lay, whereas in downstairs rooms, where there may be moisture present in the sub-floor, best practise is to fit the thinner but denser polyurethane underlay which also acts as a vapour barrier. The best of these have an polythene underside for even greater moisture protection. 

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, one that is not fixed to the floor below, simply laying on top of the underlay, so it will expand and contract with changing room conditions. When installing, it is always a good idea to unpack and store the flooring in the room where it is to be fitted to allow it to acclimatise to the new environment and it is very important to leave an expansion gap of about 1 cm around the floor where it meets walls, door frames and floors in adjoining rooms, not forgetting also around any radiator pipes. The expansion gaps are usually covered by scotia mouldings (pinned or glued to the skirting boards, not to the floor) and pipe covers.

As to aftercare, it is best to clean up any water spillages immediately, and to use only a slightly dampened mop or one of a wide range of cleaners/polishes for cleaning.