The tongue on laminate flooring is the small flat edge on one side of the board this is the top edge that is going to angle and lock into the bottom side of another board.
Which side of laminate floor is tongue.
This foundation i m talking about is at least 4 rows of planks.
Move down the line of boards until all of the gaps are closed along that line of laminate planks.
The tongue should be removed from the long side of all of the planks in the first row and from the short end on only the first plank.
Let s get started and i will show you how to install the first row of laminate flooring.
Cut the final piece as needed on your miter saw leaving a 1 4 inch expansion gap.
Step 1 layout the first few rows of laminate or vinyl plank flooring.
Most diyers can complete laminate floor installation in one day.
Planks can be cut with a hand saw circular saw or flooring cutter and most laminate flooring comes in planks that simply snap together with a tongue.
Lay your first course of tongue and groove laminate floorboards down along the starting wall with the groove side facing the wall.
Prepare the subfloor.
Laminate flooring can usually be installed successfully right over old floor coverings such as sheet vinyl provided the surface is flat and smooth and not soft or cushiony.
It is really important to build a solid foundation to work off of.
Similar to the snap together laminate flooring the tongue and groove system is meant to be installed so that the overall pieces interlock with other.
Install the tongue towards the wall you are starting on.
For proper installation the subfloor or old flooring surface must be flat smooth and clean.
Tongue and groove vs.
If you mix the two up and start with the groove side you will have difficulty completing the installation because you will essentially be.
In fact laminate flooring can be installed in almost every room in your home including kitchens since it doesn t have to be glued down and doesn t involve grout or mortar.
The short width sides of tongue and groove flooring planks also feature either a ridge or a groove which creates a fully interconnecting floor when installed.
Use the rubber mallet to tap the board and close the gap.
A simple underlayment of foam sheeting is usually sufficient as a base for laminate planks.
Which side is the tongue which the groove and which goes first during installation the tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate flooring installation.