How to install floor panels yourself - step by step

Comprehensive refreshing of an apartment or house often involves replacing the floor covering. When planning this stage of renovation work, many people consider doing it themselves. Economic aspects support choosing this solution, as foregoing specialist services can save considerable money. An additional benefit is the satisfaction of finishing the floor independently. Do you also have such a plan but fear making mistakes due to lack of knowledge and experience? Installing some types of floor coverings is simple, and SPC panels are the best example of this. If you've decided on them, you'll find related installation tips in this article – check how to lay them step by step by yourself!

Can You Install Floor Panels by Yourself?

This type of flooring material can be installed independently without needing related experience or even specialized tools. SPC floor panels are equipped with a so-called click mounting system. This means that each panel has a groove on one edge and a perfectly matching tongue on the other. Both elements are profiled so that when placed together, they create a stable connection. It works like a lock which, when snapped, generates a characteristic clicking sound, hence the name of this solution.

Installing SPC floor coverings thus involves physically connecting their edges without nailing or gluing. It's enough to lay the panels so that at their contact point, there's always a groove on one side and a tongue on the other. The "Click" system is used to build so-called floating floors, which are characterized by solidity and longevity. However, for this to be true, you must follow several basic installation rules, which you'll learn more about later in the article.

What Will You Need to Install Panels?

Before starting work, begin by gathering necessary tools and accessories. If you're a home handyman, you probably already have most of them.

For installing SPC floor panels, you'll need:

a small hammer,
a utility knife with breakable blade, pencil, measuring tape, and square (these things are needed in case you need to cut a panel),
a small wooden block,
spacer wedges (used for expansion gaps),
a drill with hole saw (only applies when pipes come out of the floor by the wall and you need to prepare cuts in panels for them).

Additionally, get panel underlays and materials for potentially leveling the floor if it's necessary to fill gaps and eliminate unevenness.

How to Install Panels Independently and Without Stress?

To quickly and stress-freely install SPC floor panels, while being certain that the floor made from them will be solid, you must follow 3 basic installation rules. The key is:

thorough substrate preparation,
precise installation of the first row of panels,
creating expansion gaps.

Substrate Preparation – Foundation for Success

The durability of your future SPC panel floor largely depends on properly preparing the substrate underneath. First and foremost, it must be perfectly level. Therefore, if there are gaps or unevenness, start work by eliminating these defects. If the general condition of the floor leaves much to be desired, the best solution will be leveling its entire surface using self-leveling compound.

Remember that after conducting work related to leveling the substrate, you must wait for it to dry completely. It must be dry and perfectly clean – without dust, powder, and other contaminants. On such prepared flooring, lay panel underlays. They serve several functions, of which the most important are:

eliminating minor substrate unevenness,
absorbing heavy loads (e.g., heavy furniture), which reduces the risk of damaging panel locks,
floor insulation and soundproofing.

How to Properly Install the First Row of Panels?

Installing the first row of floor panels is crucial, as further work progress will depend on this. Start by measuring how many elements you need. Usually, one of them needs to be cut, and it's recommended to place this shortened one at the beginning.

Arrange panels forming the first row so their tongue edge faces the wall. Additionally, remember about expansion gaps. This is a gap between the wall and floor end, thanks to which floor covering materials can work – expand and contract depending on temperature. The gap should be 5-10 mm, and to keep it even along the entire length, use expansion wedges.

Installing Subsequent Rows – How to Do It Quickly and Precisely?

After installing the first floor row, you'll have the most difficult work stage behind you! Subsequent ones are created merely by adding panels by connecting their edges. Slightly lift each one, sliding the tongue into the groove at a small angle, then lower until the lock snaps (moment when you hear the click sound). Remember to press each installed element firmly against others – tap it with a hammer through the wooden block.

For improved floor aesthetics, it's recommended to slightly offset each panel row relative to the previous one. To effortlessly achieve this effect, always start laying from the remnant element, that is, what remains from the previously cut panel.

Finishing and Installing Baseboards

After installing the SPC panel floor, you'll only have cosmetics left, namely hiding the expansion gap. Baseboards serve this purpose, which are mounted in various ways depending on their type. This can be installation with glue, clips, or screws.

How to Care for Newly Installed Panels?

Besides simple installation, an important advantage of SPC floor panels is the ease of keeping them perfectly clean. They also feature long longevity without requiring regular maintenance. To enjoy the beautiful appearance of flooring made from this material for as long as possible, simply vacuum it regularly. Wipe more stubborn dirt with a soft, slightly damp cloth – avoid using aggressive chemicals.

Create a Floor You'll Be Proud of with yutra

As you can see, with a little willingness, you can install floor covering without experience and specialized tools – just choose the right materials. You'll find the best ones in yutra.pl online store's offer! Discover the extraordinary variety of our modern SPC panels, whose huge selection will inspire you to create the floor of your dreams. You can choose from models imitating the appearance of wood, stone, and ceramics, all of which are available in different color versions – we invite you to purchase!