Can Floating Laminate Floor Be Installed on Stairs?

Laminate Placement

• Floating laminate floor is suitable for staircases when it's properly installed, but additional glue or nails may be required to hold the boards in place. Floating laminate is made to lock together, but only across flat, even flooring. The careful shaping that's needed to make floor pieces fit in stairways will change the position of the grooves and could render them useless in some positions. To make the floor solid and safe for walking, some additional materials may be required on staircases.

Improper Placement

• Laminate flooring is considered to be a practical, affordable alternative to hardwood, but it is not suitable for use in every area of the home. Laminate is subject to swelling and warping in moist conditions. Do not place laminate flooring in moist areas, such as the bathroom. If your stairs are prone to becoming wet or moist, you may want to consider a different flooring solution; otherwise, the laminate will change shape over time and may become unsafe or unsightly.

Stair Shaping

• Floating laminate floor pieces come as flat planks; no part of them will be pre-assembled. Before the floor pieces may be placed on the stairs, they must be carefully measured and cut. A piece of plank must be used to cover each riser and another piece used to cover each step. Measure each step, and cut all the planks before laying the floor; this way, you will not have to stop and cut the planks in the middle of the job.

Installation

• Floor moldings may be needed to make placement of the laminate flooring possible on staircases. Floor moldings help to shape steps to make them easier to position floating floor pieces. The moldings must be securely placed and glued or nailed down before the floor is placed on top of them. Unstable or wobbly moldings will create unsafe stairs.