Want to know how long it takes a professional to lay laminate flooring? A professional will usually take 3-4 hours for a standard-size room.
However, many factors could influence this timing. Read on to find out what they are.
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homes, so it’s not surprising that you are considering it.
It is good value, easy to maintain, and durable.
The installation process is also relatively simple, and if you are an avid DIYer, then it is not impossible.
However, hiring a professional floor fitter is the best option if you want a sleek finish done quickly. An experienced floor fitter will also be able to tackle any issues with the subfloor or tricky areas to fit.
What affects the length of time it takes to lay laminate flooring?
Most modern laminate flooring is designed with a tongue and groove locking system, making it quick to install. Fitting laminate flooring can take a few hours to a few days.
However, below are factors that affect the length of laminate flooring installation, and consequently, the cost to install laminate flooring.
Floor preparation
Preparing the subfloor is essential before installing laminate flooring. It needs to be smooth, level, and dry; otherwise, it could affect its stability and lifespan.
In the best-case scenario, your floor fitter just needs to remove some debris, but if the subfloor has floorboards, they might need to be repaired or replaced.
In the worst-case scenario, your subfloor is concrete and needs screeding to make it level, which will need time to dry before laying the laminate on top of it.
The drying time for the screed can vary depending on the type used. Traditional cement screed can take several weeks to reach its full strength and for moisture levels to stabilise.
However, fast-drying or self-levelling screeds do have shorter drying times.
Acclimatisation
Laminate flooring can expand and contract with the room’s temperature. Therefore, for your laminate flooring to acclimatise to your room’s temperature and humidity, it must be left in the room for 48 hours before installation.
If you don’t, the laminate boards can warp or buckle, resulting in separation as they adjust to the humidity levels. This can also make the installation process more challenging, meaning longer installation time.
Size and complexity of the room
Laminate flooring installation involves laying underlay, measuring and cutting the planks, and then laying them down, usually using a click system.
The size of the room will affect the length of time for installation, but the complexity of the room will affect it more.
If the room is not square and has more angles, doors, or stairs to fit around, the laminate floor fitter will have to do more measuring and cutting.
If you have laminate on stairs, this is much more labour-intensive and will take longer as the fitter must cut the laminate into three pieces – the tread, the riser, and the stair nosing to length.
Type and style of laminate flooring
Choosing a specific laminate flooring pattern, such as herringbone or parquet, will take longer to install. Depending on the room’s size and the pattern’s complexity, it can take a day or more.
The floor fitter will need to plan the layout first, starting from the centre or reference point of the room. This can take up to a few hours, depending on the floor fitter’s experience.
If the herringbone or parquet laminate flooring is not pre-cut, the floor fitter must cut the laminate planks to fit the pattern, which can take a significant amount of time.
These are just estimated time frames. We recommend that you consult with a professional floor fitter to get a better idea of the cost and installation time.
It would be advisable for them to come and look at the room and check the subfloor before giving you a final quote.
Looking for more information on laminate flooring? Our laminate floor fitters guide contains everything you need to know in order to accurately plan the work.
Want to get a rough idea of how much it’s going to cost? My Local Toolbox has put together a laminate flooring installation cost guide which considers the many factors involved; materials, labour, and other outlays.
Want to get accurate quotes for your flooring project? Post a job now to compare quotes from floor fitters near you.