Easy Steps for Plank Flooring Installation

A Straightforward Guide for a Flawless Finish in Any Room

If you’re looking for a flooring solution that combines style, durability, and ease of installation, plank flooring is the way to go. Whether you’re using luxury vinyl plank (LVP), engineered hardwood, or laminate, these materials offer the aesthetic appeal of natural wood with improved resilience and installation simplicity.

At Millennium Hardwood Flooring, we’ve guided countless homeowners and builders in the Austin area through flooring upgrades—from whole-home renovations to single-room refreshes. While professional installation ensures maximum longevity and precision, many DIYers can achieve excellent results by following the right process.

In this article, we’ll walk you through easy, step-by-step instructions for installing plank flooring, while highlighting essential tips and expert insights to help you avoid mistakes along the way.

Why Choose Plank Flooring?

Before jumping into the installation, it’s important to understand why plank flooring—especially luxury vinyl plank and engineered wood—is among the most popular flooring types today:

Water-resistant and durable
Wide range of finishes and styles
Budget-friendly options available
Click-lock systems simplify DIY installation
Low maintenance and high return on investment

Whether you’re flooring a bedroom, hallway, or entire home, plank flooring offers a balance between elegance and practicality. Now, let’s dive into the step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Materials

Successful flooring installation starts with being prepared. Make sure you have all tools and materials ready before starting.

🔧 Tools You’ll Need:

Utility knife (for vinyl/laminate) or flooring saw (for engineered wood)
Tape measure and chalk line
Tapping block and mallet
Spacers (for expansion gaps)
Level or straightedge
Pull bar (for tight areas near walls)
Vacuum or broom
Underlayment (if required)

📦 Materials:

Flooring planks
Underlayment or vapor barrier
Trim or quarter round
Moisture barrier (if installing over concrete)

Pro Tip: Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for both the flooring and underlayment before starting. At Millennium Hardwood Flooring, we help our customers select the correct materials for their unique subfloor and room conditions.

Step 2: Prepare the Subfloor

No matter how high-quality your flooring planks are, a poorly prepped subfloor can ruin the result. This step is essential for a smooth, long-lasting installation.

✅ What to Do:

Clean thoroughly: Remove any old adhesive, nails, staples, dust, and dirt.
Level the surface: The subfloor must be flat within 3/16” over 10 feet.
Repair any damage: Replace or patch areas with rot, cracks, or dips.
Dry it out: Ensure the subfloor is moisture-free. Use a moisture meter to test if necessary.

Subfloor Types:

Concrete: You’ll likely need a moisture barrier and underlayment.
Plywood or OSB: Check for squeaks and reinforce loose boards.
Existing flooring: In some cases, LVP can be installed over tile or laminate if level and secure.

Millennium Insight: A clean, level, dry subfloor ensures your flooring performs well for decades. Skipping this step is one of the most common installation mistakes we see in repairs.

Step 3: Acclimate the Planks

Before installation, let the planks adjust to the room’s temperature and humidity.

📌 How:

Place unopened boxes of planks in the room where they’ll be installed.
Let them acclimate for 48–72 hours.
Maintain normal living conditions in the room (around 65–75°F and 35–55% humidity).

Acclimating prevents post-installation movement such as buckling or gaps.

Step 4: Plan Your Layout

Don’t skip this step! Proper layout planning ensures a professional look and prevents narrow slivers of planks at edges.

🧭 Key Considerations:

Plank Direction: Run planks parallel to the longest wall or in the direction of the primary light source.
Measure Room Width: Divide by plank width to determine how wide the final row will be. Trim the first row if necessary so the last row isn’t too narrow.
Stagger the Seams: End joints should be staggered by at least 6 inches for strength and appearance.
Leave Expansion Gaps: Use spacers to leave a ¼-inch gap around the perimeter for expansion and contraction.

Expert Tip: Dry-lay the first two rows to ensure the pattern and fit before locking planks in.

Step 5: Start Installing the Planks

Now you’re ready to install. For most floating floors with click-lock systems, this is a relatively simple process.

📋 Instructions:

Start in a corner along your starting wall.
Place the first plank with the tongue side facing the wall.
Use spacers to maintain your expansion gap.
Click the next plank into place at an angle, then lower it and tap gently with a mallet and tapping block.
Continue across the first row. Cut the last plank to fit using a saw or utility knife.
Begin the second row with the cut-off end from the previous row, if it’s over 6 inches, to stagger the joints.
Use the same click and tap method for each plank, working row by row.
Use a pull bar for tight spaces at the end of rows or near walls.

Tips for Clean Installation:

Wipe off dust from each plank before installing.
Inspect each board for defects as you go.
Use a jigsaw for tricky cuts around doorways or corners.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

After all planks are in place, it’s time to finalize the project with clean trim and careful inspection.

🧽 What to Do:

Remove spacers and install baseboards or quarter round to cover the expansion gap.
Don’t attach trim to the flooring—secure it to the wall so the floor can move freely.
Install thresholds or transition strips where flooring meets other surfaces (tile, carpet, etc.).
Clean the floor gently using a damp microfiber mop or soft brush vacuum.

Millennium Tip: Wait 24 hours before heavy furniture placement, especially on glue-down installations.

Bonus Section: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with simple plank flooring systems, small errors can lead to big headaches. Here are a few things to watch out for:

❌ Skipping acclimation → warping or gaps
❌ No expansion gap → buckling or floor lifting
❌ Unleveled subfloor → soft spots or noise
❌ Wrong underlayment → moisture issues or instability
❌ Poor seam staggering → weak structure and poor aesthetics

Why Work with Millennium Hardwood Flooring?

While DIY can be rewarding, some projects are better handled by professionals—especially for large spaces, high-end materials, or complex subfloor conditions.

At Millennium Hardwood Flooring, we offer:

Free consultations and accurate room measurements
Access to premium vinyl, laminate, and engineered plank flooring
Expert installation backed by experience and manufacturer warranties
Clean, timely, and fully insured service throughout Austin and surrounding areas

Whether you’re flooring a modern downtown condo or a traditional home in Cedar Park, we deliver precision, quality, and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Plank flooring installation doesn’t have to be intimidating. By following a few easy, well-organized steps—and avoiding common mistakes—you can achieve stunning results that last for years. From subfloor prep to finishing touches, every stage of the process plays a key role in the final look and performance of your floor.

Let’s recap the key steps:

Gather tools and materials
Prepare and level the subfloor
Acclimate the flooring
Plan the layout
Install the planks
Finish with trim and transitions

Whether you choose to install yourself or call in our expert team, Millennium Hardwood Flooring is your trusted partner in achieving beautiful, durable, and affordable flooring.

FAQs

Q: Is plank flooring easy for beginners to install?
A: Yes, especially click-lock LVP or laminate. With basic tools and careful prep, many homeowners achieve excellent results.

Q: Can I install plank flooring over tile or existing floors?
A: Yes, if the surface is level, secure, and clean. Use underlayment designed for floating floors to prevent movement or noise.

Q: Do I need to glue vinyl plank flooring?
A: Most LVP is designed for floating installation with click-lock systems. Only certain commercial-grade LVP requires adhesive.

Q: What’s the best direction to lay plank flooring?
A: Typically along the longest wall or toward the main light source for the most natural appearance.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re planning a flooring update in the Austin area, contact Millennium Hardwood Flooring for expert advice, quality products, and hassle-free installation. Visit our showroom or schedule your free estimate today.

👉 Get in touch now and turn your flooring vision into reality.