Installing Laminate Wood Flooring Over Carpet

Allow a 1 4 inch expansion joint between the track central portion of the end cap and the laminate floor.

Installing laminate wood flooring over carpet. A carpet adds a soft surface underneath the laminate. The same thing happens even when the carpet is underneath the laminate. When placing plywood sheets over plush carpet lay them in the opposite direction the floor will go. Installing laminate flooring over carpet underlayment will do more harm than good in the long run.

One of the very first issues that you need to realize when considering the installation of laminate flooring over an existing carpet is the warping of the material. You absolutely cannot use carpet underlayment underneath laminate flooring. To learn more about how to install plywood check out our helpful video. Use the tongue and groove edges to connect one plank to another.

Since carpet is usually plush and soft your laminate flooring would not have the support it needs to keep the locking system sturdy. We just lay it right on top of the carpet and then put the hardwood on top of that. Install your laminate flooring one row at a time. This gap allows the laminate floor to expand and contract while hidden beneath the end cap.

How to install laminate flooring. We have done this twice now because we moved and it has never shifted or caused any problem. I hope that helps. Installing laminate flooring over carpet is not recommended in most installation situations.

When you tear up carpet you must remove everything down to the subfloor. Plywood is highly recommended when installing over high pile carpet. If you are using more than one sheet of plywood tape the sheets together at the seam. Remove any carpet padding from the area where the end cap will be installed.

It stays in place under the weight of the laminate especially when you add furniture on top of that. Ensure a snug connection by using a tapping block to gently tap the pieces together. As much as you want to cut down costs on a new floor this is not the way to do it. Install the first row of planks with the tongue side facing the wall.