Installing Laminate Flooring Around Trims & Transitions

How to Install Around Trims, Transitions, Fireplaces & Stairs

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NOTE: Laminate flooring can be installed in a variety of special circumstance areas such as on stairs or around fireplaces.

Install On Stairs

Generally, laminate is only installed on enclosed stairwells so that the walls hide the unfinished edges of the laminate. You'll use the same laminate as you did for your floor and add stair nose to create the proper overhang. When installed on stairs, your laminate will be glued directly to the subfloor. Laminate should never be floated on stairs for safety reasons.

Install Around Brickwork

You have two choices when installing laminate around brickwork (such as fireplaces):

• Undercutting the brickwork and installing the laminate underneath. The brickwork will cover all expansion spacing.
• Installing the laminate flush with brickwork and using end molding to hide any expansion/contraction spacing.

Install Transitions

Install laminate transitions and trim to hide all expansion/contraction spacing and put the finishing touches on your room.

• T-Molding – For transitions between laminate floors and interior/exterior doorways and transitions between similar height flooring.
• Reducer – For transitions between laminate floors and lower height floors (such as carpeting, vinyl or tile/stone).
• Overlap Stair Nose/Step Down – Used at steps (such as into a sunken living room) to provide the proper overhang and on full staircases.
• End Molding/Square Nose/Universal Edge – For similar height floors, carpet or outside threshold transitions. End molding is also used around brickwork.

Laminate transitions are usually secured using trim tracks. (Check with your retailer when purchasing trim tracks as you may have to purchase the tracks separately because they are not included with the molding.) In some cases, you may glue transition pieces to the subfloor with a quality adhesive.

Installing Transitions

Install all wall base, shoe base and quarter round trim to hide the expansion spacing around the perimeter of the room. Do NOT glue the kaminate trim to the subfloor. Always glue to the wall and nail at an angle every 16". Caulk significant gaps between the trim and the wall.

Correct Defects

Use putty sticks, wood filler or stain to fill nail holes or correct any defects. Only used fillers designed specifically for laminate floors.

Seal The Floor

Use silicone sealant and/or weather stripping to seal all expansion/contraction spaces near moisture prone areas (such as outside doors or kitchen appliances) as directed by your manufacturer.