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How to Lay Laminate Flooring in Manchester: Step-by-Step Guide from Ever After Flooring

By 30 October 2025Resources3 min read

Transform Your Manchester Home with Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular and affordable ways to transform a home in Manchester — whether you’re renovating a flat in the city centre, upgrading a family home in Tameside, or modernising a property in Stockport.

At Ever After Flooring, we’ve helped hundreds of Manchester homeowners choose and install the perfect laminate floor. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from preparation to installation — so you can get stunning, long-lasting results.

Step 1: Measure and Prepare Your Room

Before laying laminate flooring, preparation is key.

  • Measure accurately: Calculate the area in square metres. Add 10% extra for offcuts or mistakes.

  • Check your subfloor: Ensure it’s clean, dry, and level. Remove old carpet, underlay, nails, and dust.

  • Acclimatise your flooring: Leave the laminate packs in the room for 48 hours. This allows the boards to adjust to the Manchester climate — avoiding warping or expansion later.

Pro Tip from Ever After Flooring Manchester:
If your floor isn’t level, use a self-levelling compound. Uneven surfaces are the number one cause of laminate damage.

Step 2: Choose the Right Underlay

Underlay provides sound insulation, moisture protection, and comfort underfoot.

In Manchester homes — especially older properties or ground-floor rooms — moisture-resistant underlay is essential. We recommend DPM (damp proof membrane) underlay for concrete subfloors.

Visit our Ever After Flooring showroom in Tameside to see underlay options suited for Manchester’s varying building types.

Step 3: Plan Your Layout

Start laying the laminate from the longest wall or the main light source in the room — this ensures the planks look natural and balanced.

  • Use spacers to maintain a 10mm expansion gap around all walls and obstacles.

  • Mix boards from different packs to blend shades and patterns for a natural finish.

Local Tip: Manchester homes often have irregular room shapes or chimney breasts — use an offcut as a spacer to trace tricky sections.

Step 4: Lay the Laminate Flooring

Now the exciting part — fitting your new floor!

  1. Click system: Most modern laminate boards feature a “click-lock” mechanism. Simply angle one board into another and press down.

  2. Cut to size: Use a jigsaw or laminate cutter for precision around door frames or pipes.

  3. Stagger your joins: Start each new row with a different-length board for strength and aesthetics.

If you prefer not to DIY, our Ever After Flooring fitting team covers the whole Greater Manchester area — from Denton and Hyde to Stockport and Salford.

Step 5: Finish with Skirting and Trims

Once the floor is laid:

  • Refit or install skirting boards or scotia beading to hide expansion gaps.

  • Add matching door bars or thresholds between rooms for a professional finish.

At Ever After Flooring, we stock matching trims and accessories for all major laminate brands.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Laminate

To keep your new laminate floor looking pristine:

  • Use felt pads under furniture.

  • Avoid excessive water — mop with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.

  • Clean spills immediately.

  • Use doormats to reduce grit and dirt.

For Manchester homes with heavy footfall or pets, consider a high-AC-rated laminate (AC4 or AC5) for durability.

Why Manchester Homeowners Choose Ever After Flooring

  • Local Expertise: Based in Tameside, we’ve been serving Manchester for years with unbeatable flooring advice.
  • Massive Range: From budget-friendly laminate to premium waterproof flooring.
  • Professional Installation: Fully trained fitters covering all of Greater Manchester.
  • Fast Delivery: Local stock, local service — no long waits.

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Whether you’re confident in DIY or prefer a professional touch, Ever After Flooring is here to help.

Visit our showroom in Tameside, Manchester,
or contact us for a free quote and expert advice on your new laminate floor.

Call us today on 01457 838 110