The process for fitting Rapid Fit and Twin Clic laminate flooring is basically the same, with one key difference which depends on the board locking system. This guide covers both but concentrates on laying Rapid Fit laminate flooring.

Make sure you have removed any doors before you fit the flooring, as you will need to cut into the architrave.

Line up an offcut of the floorboard with the architrave. Use a panel saw to trim the architrave so that the floorboard will fit underneath. Use a hammer and chisel to remove the excess wood.

Ensure the floor is thoroughly prepared and the underlay is in place. Starting in the corner of the longest wall, lay the first piece of laminate with its tongue edge against the wall.

Then place 10-12mm flooring spacers between the wall and the board to create the expansion gap. Place a couple of spacers along the length of the board and one across the width.

Line the next board up with the end of the first and press down to click it into position. Make sure the alignment is precise, as you want the first row to be perfectly straight. Add flooring spacers to maintain the expansion gap. Repeat this process until you can’t lay any more full boards.

You will need to cut the last board to fit the gap at the end of the row. Lay a full board down next to the row you’ve just fitted. Flip the board upside down with the groove edge still facing you.

Measure and mark a cutting line on the underside of the board. Then secure the board in a workbench and cut with a jigsaw or panel saw. Fit the board into position to complete the first row.

If the offcut from the first row is at least 300mm long, then you can use it to start your second row from the same end that you started your first row. Never start a second row with a full length board. You are aiming to make sure that the joints between boards are staggered across all the rows. This both looks good and provides better stability. Remember to use a flooring spacer at the start of each row, then lay down the boards by repeating the above process.

To start the second row, put a flooring spacer against the wall then place the tongue edge of a new board into the groove edge of the previous row. Slot the board in from a 20-30 degree angle. Make sure the end of the board butts up against the wall spacer.

Line the next board up and press into position using the same method to make sure the tongue and groove system clicks into place properly. Work your way down the row and repeat for all rows until you reach the edge row.

You may need to cut boards to fit the gap in the final row, but this will have been decided when you were setting out. In which case measure the gap between the last full row and a flooring spacer. Cut the board to size and lay as normal. Remember to allow for expansion gaps.

First of all make sure that the door will clear any new flooring, and a threshold bar if you’re fitting one. You may end up having to trim the bottom of the door to make room. Then make sure you have cut away a section of the architrave to accommodate the new boards (as detailed earlier).

If you need to fill a gap between your board and the door, measure the distance between the outer edge of the architrave on either side. Then measure the gap between the first row and the door. Mark these measurements onto a board and cut it to size, remembering to allow a 10-12mm expansion gap at each end.

Lay the board up against the architrave and mark where you need to trim the ends so that the board will be able to slide under the architrave. If you are laying boards vertically you’ll need to do this to all the boards that come into contact with the architrave. Cut along the guide marks with a jigsaw or panel saw.

In order to fit the door piece, you may have to slide a row or rows back to make room. Make sure the door piece slides under the architrave. Then continue to lay any rows as before.

If you’re fitting a threshold bar be sure to choose one that’s appropriate for your flooring. Carefully measure the width of the door frame, allowing for a 10-12mm expansion gap on both sides. Then cut the threshold bar to size and secure it with either grab adhesive or screws, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Twin Clic laminate flooring has a different locking mechanism to Rapid Fit, but otherwise the process is exactly the same. For Twin Clic flooring, boards in the same row are joined end to end by clicking them in from 20-30 degree angles.

When laying a new row, you’ll have to click the boards into position along both the horizontal and vertical edges. This can prove awkward with full length boards so it’s often easier to ask someone to assist you.

If you need to cut around a radiator pipe, lay your board next to the pipe and pencil a line on the board to show where the centre of the pipe will be. Then lay the same board front onto the pipe and again draw a mark from the centre of the pipe which intersects with your first line. Where the two lines intersect marks where you need to drill.

Clamp the board to a workbench and use a 32mm flat wood drill bit to drill a hole. A 32mm hole allows for expansion of the pipe (radiator pipes are usually 15mm wide).

Draw a pair of straight lines from the edges of the hole to the edge of the board. Each line should run at a slight outward angle.

Use a jigsaw or hacksaw to cut along these lines. Remove the wedge but keep it as you’ll need it later. Fit the board into position around the radiator pipe. You may need to trim the profile edge with a chisel. Lay down the board, then push the wedge back into place using grab adhesive. Add a pipe surround for a neat finish, securing it with grab adhesive.

If your original skirting covers the expansion gaps, then refit it now. Alternatively you can use floor trim, especially if you have laid down flooring without removing the skirting.

Remove the flooring spacers and measure the lengths of flooring trim you will need.

Use a mitre box and panel saw to make accurate 45 degree cuts at the ends that will join in the corners.

Fix the flooring trim in place using grab adhesive. Don’t fix the trim to the flooring, as this prevents natural expansion of the floorboards. Fit only to the wall or skirting boards. If necessary you can also hold the trim in place using panel pins.