Tools for Laminate Flooring

Most of the tools you'll need to install laminate flooring are pretty basic. You probably already have most of them. Any you don't have you can find at your local hardware store. You might consider renting some of the more expensive ones that you won't use much.

You'll need some special tools, such as tapping blocks and clamps. They're product specific; buy or rent them from your flooring dealer.

To replace a badly damaged plank, you'd need some other tools. It's usually a pretty tricky job, though, so hire a professional installer.

Preparation Tools

Pry Bar For removing shoe molding and other trim

Carpenter's level To check subfloor for level and high/low spots

Cold Chisel Works as a wedge to pry up old wood floor

Ball-peen hammer Heavy, large-faced hammer for hitting cold chisel

Large putty knife Use a metal knife for prep work

Floor scraper Removes residue from subfloor

Belt Sander With 60-grit paper, for smoothing a wood subfloor

Jamb Saw Cuts door jamb and door trim to create clearance for flooring

Trowel Smoothes leveling compound

Flat-head Screwdriver Wedge it under show moldings to loosen them

Installation Tools

Backsaw & Miter Box	For cutting angles
Circular Saw	For making straight cuts.� Use a carbide-tipped blade
Saber Saw	For cutting curves, use a laminate blade
Electric Drill	For drilling holes
Tape Measure	For accurate Measurements
Plastic Putty Knife	Apply putty with plastic knife to avoid scratching laminate
Compass	Trace along wall to transfer irregularities to floor
China Marker	mark holes and scribe lines
Utility Knife	For cutting underlayment
Phillips-head screwdriver	�
Coping Saw	Cutting coping joints in molding
Hacksaw	For cutting metal track to install laminate moldings
Flexi-curve	Form around odd-shaped obstacles, then trace onto planks
Combination Square	Measuring and marking cuts on planks
Nail Set	Countersink nail heads in shoe molding
Claw Hammer	Fastening show moldings
Caulking Gun	Apply silicone caulk
Power Miter Saw	Makes short work of angled cuts on trim

Specialized Items

Installation Clamp	Keeps rows tight during installation.� May come with extension straps for clamping large areas (needed for Glue-installation only)
Installation Strap	Extend across floor to keep rows straight and tight; use 2 to 3 per plank length. (needed for Glue-installation only)
Pull Bar	Slip in place and tap to tighten joints
Spacers	For maintaining expansion space around walls and other solid objects.
Tapping Block	Slit in side of block fits over tongue on plank; tap gently to tighten joint.

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