How to Install Laminate Flooring on Walls: 7 Easy Steps

Wood plank accent walls are a huge trend right now in rustic and farmhouse styles. If you want to create this look for your own home, follow this guide to learn how to install laminate flooring on walls! You get the same gorgeous wood looks, with a budget-friendly price tag.

The great news is, it’s very easy to install flooring on walls. As long as you have the right tools and the know-how, you can create a chic accent wall in no-time.

This guide offers essential tips and tricks to get started, and step-by-step instructions to help you through the entire process.

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Tools and Materials

This is a very DIY-friendly project, but it’s good to be well-prepared. To ensure your project is a success, you need to start with the right tools and materials.

Here’s what you will need.

Tools:

• Caulk gun
• Utility knife
• Laser level
• Nail gun
• Tape measure
• Table saw or circular saw
• Tapping block
• Pull bar
• Hammer
  

Materials:

• Adhesive caulk
• Brad nails
• Laminate flooring planks

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Preparation

Before you dive into your project, you need to make sure your installation area is suitable and prepped.

First, ensure you’re working with a clean, vertical surface. You shouldn’t install laminate on slanted walls or ceilings, and the installation area should always be indoors. You shouldn’t install laminate on a wall that has previously experienced moisture damage, or in areas where you can expect a lot of water, such as over a bathtub or as a backsplash.

Additionally, there’s a limit to how large the accent wall should ideally be. We recommend a maximum area of 40’ long and 10’ high.

Follow these tips to ensure you’re completely ready before you begin.

• Allow the laminate flooring to acclimate to the room for at least two days.
• Remove any baseboards or trim. You can add this again once you’re finished.
• Remove any wallpaper or paneling. The ideal wall surface should only be primed or painted.
• Find the wall studs and mark their location.
• If you’re working around outlets or switches, it’s a good idea to turn off the power to that area.
• Ensure that the floor is level, since this will impact the look of the wall, and you want the planks to be level. If you notice a tilt in the floor, you can cut along the length of the first row of planks at an angle to compensate for this.

Once everything is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to start your project!

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How To Install Laminate Flooring on Walls

Now that you’ve finally made it to the main part of the project, you can follow these steps and you’ll have a beautiful laminate wall treatment in no-time!

1. Measure Your First Row

Before you fasten anything to the wall, lay out and connect the planks you will need for the first row. Cut the final plank to fit, ensuring it’s at least 6” long. Make sure to account for a 3/16″ expansion gap between the planks and any adjacent walls. If the leftover piece of the plank is also at least 6” long, use it to start the next row.

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2. Apply the Planks

Use adhesive caulk on the back of each laminate plank, and carefully press them against the bottom of the wall, with the tongue side facing down. Having the tongue side face down makes it easier to tap the planks together, and easier to fasten the planks with nails.

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3. Nail Planks to the Wall

You might think this is overkill at first, but you need to provide stability for the adhesive to set. At each wall stud, use a nail gun to drive brad nails into the groove of each plank. Make sure the nails don’t stick out into the groove, because this will disrupt the installation. Now would be a good time to double-check your first row with the laser level, and make any adjustments if needed.

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4. Start the Next Row

After the first row, you don’t need to connect all the planks in a row before installing. Instead, you need to square off the short edges of each plank by cutting away the tongue with a utility knife.

5. Connect the Second Row with the First

Gently join the first and second rows by angling the tongue and groove edges together. Use a hammer and tapping block if needed. Ensure there are no gaps between the planks in each row. Use a tapping block or pull bar for this. Then nail them to the wall like you did the first row.

6. Continue Installation

Follow these steps for subsequent rows to keep installing the laminate until you fully cover the accent wall area. You may need a step stool to complete the higher rows.

7. Finishing Steps

Reinstall any trim or moldings you previously removed, and restore power if you turned it off.

Then you’re finished! See, it wasn’t that hard, was it?

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FAQs

You still might have a few questions before you begin. No worries! We’ve got the answers.

What kind of laminate should you install on walls?

When choosing laminate to install on a wall, look for something with no attached underlayment, since this makes the plank thicker and heavier. Additionally, try to find laminate planks without interlocking tongue and groove ends, because you will have to cut them off to make sure the edges are square.

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Will installing laminate flooring on walls void the warranty?

If you install laminate flooring on walls, the manufacturer’s warranty is usually voided, since this is not the intended use for the product. However, some manufacturers will offer some limited coverage for flooring on walls. It’s a good idea to check with the manufacturer first to be sure.

How do you cut laminate flooring planks?

When you reach the end of a row, cut the plank to fit using a circular saw or table saw. You should leave a 3/16″ gap between the edge of the plank and the wall, to allow for expansion. If the cut-off end is 6” or longer, use it to start the next row to create a natural staggered look.

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Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you know everything you need to upgrade your home with a wood-look accent wall. With laminate flooring, you’re sure to have a trendy look that will add a ton of personality to your home.

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