How Should You Stagger the Seam on a Laminate Floor?

Measurements

• Measure the width of the room and the length of the planks that will make up the first row. Divide the width of the room by the length of the planks to determine how many planks it will take to go across the room. If the number is not even, make sure that the last plank will be at least 2 1/2 inches long. If it is not, cut the first plank shorter so that the last plank will be at least 2 1/2 inches long. This will keep the row stable.

First Row

• The first plank installed on the first row determines the location of the first seam. So that the seams will be properly staggered as the next rows are installed, the first plank should not be shortened or cut. Place a full-length plank down as the first plank of the first row. Using a full plank also makes it easier to ensure that the first row is perfectly straight.

Second Row

• The first plank of the second row, installed next to the first plank of the first row, must be cut so that the seams will be staggered. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the distance between seams or joints. In general, the first plank of the second row can be cut down to 2/3 of the length of the first plank on the first row. Check the distance between the the first seam of the first row and the first seam of the second row to make sure it meets the minimum distance specified by the manufacturer. For example, if the manufacturer states that joints must be at least 16 inches apart, make sure that the end of the second plank is at least 16 inches shorter than the end of the first. Install the second row of planks.

Third Row

• The first plank of the third row, which will be installed next to the first plank of the second row, must also be cut to keep the seams staggered. Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the distance between joints. In general, the first plank of the third row can be cut down to 1/3 of the length of the first plank on the second row. This will cause the seams to be staggered both from the first plank and the second plank. The remainder of the first plank from the second row should be long enough to use as the first plank in the third row. Check the distance between the the first seam of the second row and the first seam of the third row to make sure it meets the minimum distance specified by the manufacturer.

Remaining Rows

• For the fourth row, cut the first plank to the same length as the first plank of the first row. For the fifth and sixth rows, follow the pattern, or length, of the second and third rows, respectively. Repeat the pattern across the entire floor. Keeping the length of the first plank alternating across three different rows will ensure that the seams are staggered far enough apart from each other to make the floor strong and stable.