Quick answer
Laminate is a wood-effect floating floor made from a printed decor layer over a dense core. It's hard-wearing and cost-effective for hallways, lounges and family rooms. We supply and fit laminate, or fit laminate you provide, across Burton-on-Trent. Board thickness, underlay and subfloor preparation all affect the result, so send your room details for an indicative estimate.
Laminate is a popular hard floor because it gives a wood or stone look at a sensible cost, resists scratches and everyday wear, and is straightforward to keep clean. It's a 'floating floor' — the planks click together and sit over an underlay rather than being glued or nailed down.
The finish depends as much on preparation as on the boards. A flat, dry subfloor, the right underlay and correct expansion gaps make the difference between a floor that stays crisp and one that lifts or gaps. We supply and fit laminate, and can fit laminate you've already bought.
Who this is for
- Homeowners wanting a wood look in hallways, lounges and dining rooms
- Landlords after a durable, easy-to-clean hard floor
- New-build owners fitting out downstairs living spaces
- Anyone who has bought laminate and needs it fitted properly
Suitable applications
- Hallways, living rooms and dining rooms
- Busy family spaces that see a lot of foot traffic
- Rooms where a wood effect is wanted without the cost of real wood
What's included
- Advice on board thickness, AC wear rating and underlay
- Supply of the chosen laminate, or fitting of laminate you provide
- Floating installation with expansion gaps and the correct underlay
- Scotia or beading and threshold bars where specified
What isn't automatically included
- Significant subfloor levelling or repair unless quoted
- Uplift and disposal of old flooring unless included
- Skirting removal or replacement unless agreed (scotia is the usual alternative)
- Door trimming beyond what's agreed in your quotation
What we need to give you an estimate
- Rooms and rough dimensions
- The subfloor type — concrete, floorboards or chipboard
- Whether the old floor needs lifting and removing
- Whether you want scotia/beading or skirting removed and refitted
- Any board you've chosen, including thickness and finish
Board thickness and wear rating
Laminate is commonly sold in 7mm, 8mm, 10mm and 12mm thicknesses. Thicker boards generally feel more solid underfoot and can carry a better locking system, but thickness alone doesn't decide durability — the AC wear rating matters more for how the surface stands up to traffic. Our 8mm vs 12mm laminate comparison explains the trade-offs.
Underlay and subfloor preparation
- A flat, dry subfloor — high spots and dips are addressed before fitting
- The right underlay for the subfloor, including a damp-proof membrane over concrete where needed
- Expansion gaps left around the perimeter so the floor can move
- Acclimatisation of the boards in the room before fitting
Likely project stages
- Send room and subfloor details for an indicative estimate
- Measure, assess the subfloor and confirm underlay and preparation
- Receive a written quotation with the agreed scope
- Fitting arranged once boards have acclimatised and prep is done
Honest limitations
Standard laminate is not the best choice for bathrooms or wet areas. For kitchens, a water-resistant laminate or LVT is usually a safer choice — see our LVT vs laminate for kitchens comparison.
No price is shown here. Cost depends on the board, underlay and preparation, so it's confirmed by quotation after a measure.