Franklin Dean
When installing laminate flooring, there are a variety of tools that can be used to hammer the pieces into place. A rubber mallet is commonly used, in conjunction with a tapping block, to bring pieces of laminate together end-to-end without damaging the tongue-and-groove edges. An ordinary steel hammer can also be used, although rubber mallets make the installation process quieter. A pull bar is another essential tool, used to pull pieces of laminate together tightly where they meet a wall, as there is not enough room to swing a mallet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Installing laminate flooring |
| Type | Mallet, hammer, or pull bar |
| Material | Steel, rubber, or plastic |
| Use | Bring pieces of laminate together end-to-end |
| Use with | Tapping block or pull bar |
| Other tools | Tape measure, saw, T-square, or speed square |
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What You'll Learn
Rubber mallets are quieter and safer than hammers
When installing laminate flooring, a rubber mallet is a safer and quieter alternative to a hammer. The interlocking tongue-and-groove profiles of laminate flooring pieces would get crushed and ruined if struck directly with a hammer. This is where a tapping block comes in. The block is placed against the laminate, and then tapped with a mallet to move a piece of flooring tight against its neighbour.
Rubber mallets are also useful when you need to strike something hard without the risk of seriously damaging it in the process. They allow you to exert light to moderate force. In this way, they are similar to dead blow hammers, which are usually made from a soft compound like rubber with a harder material like lead or steel inside. Dead blow hammers are useful when you need to strike with force without damaging the item being hit.
However, rubber mallets have a tendency to bounce back quite a lot when they hit something, which can make them a little awkward to use. If you swing a rubber mallet with a good amount of force, you need to be ready to deal with the rebound that occurs after each impact. To avoid this, it's important to buy a mallet that is not too bouncy. Generally, the heavier the mallet, the less bounce-back it will have. Rubber mallets can also leave marks where you don't want them if you're not careful with the weight and impact.
Wooden mallets deliver a sharper blow compared to rubber mallets, making them louder. They are used in woodworking when assembling joints or hammering chisels and dowels. Metal hammers, meanwhile, can easily damage wood and are therefore not a viable option for laminate flooring installation.
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Tapping blocks are essential for joining laminate pieces
Tapping blocks are typically used in conjunction with a pull bar. A pull bar is a simple hook-shaped implement that is bent on one end to engage the end of the laminate and bent on the other end to allow a mallet or hammer to strike and drive the tool. A pull bar is particularly useful when you get to the last row and need a way to apply extra pressure to pull the laminate towards the rest of the floor.
While a rubber mallet is preferable as it makes the installation quieter, an ordinary steel hammer can be used instead. If you are using a hammer, it is especially important to use a tapping block to protect the laminate.
Tapping blocks can be purchased from home improvement stores such as Home Depot, as well as online retailers like Amazon.
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Pull bars are needed to install laminate near walls
When installing laminate flooring, pulling pieces of laminate together tightly, end-to-end, is standard practice. While a mallet and tapping block are typically used for this, they cannot be used where the laminate meets a wall as there is no room to swing the mallet. This is where a pull bar comes in.
A pull bar is a simple, hook-shaped tool that is bent on one end to engage the end of the laminate and bent on the other end to allow a mallet or hammer to strike and drive the tool. This tool is essential for a successful laminate installation. It is particularly useful for getting laminate flooring close to walls and cabinets, and it is usually included in flooring installation kits. Pull bars are also useful for fitting laminate around corners and obstacles.
While a crowbar could be used instead of a pull bar, a pull bar is designed for this purpose and will make the process easier. Its flat, wide 'pulling edge' will limit damage to the flooring.
In addition to a pull bar, a sliding T-bevel may be needed to make cuts that are not 90-degree cuts. If all cuts will be square, a combination square can be used to mark square cutting lines on the ends of pieces of flooring that meet walls.
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A sliding T-bevel is required for non-90-degree cuts
When installing laminate flooring, a rubber mallet or ordinary steel hammer is used in conjunction with a tapping block to bring pieces of laminate together end-to-end. However, a simple hook-shaped tool called a pull bar is needed when installing the ends of laminate pieces that meet a wall, as there is no room to swing a mallet.
A sliding T-bevel is a tool used by carpenters and cabinetmakers for various tasks. It is a general-purpose layout tool that measures angles and allows them to be transferred to a workpiece for cutting. The sliding bevel differs from the try square in that it has a movable blade that can be set at any desired angle from 0 to 180 degrees. This blade is secured tightly at the desired angle using a locking screw. The sliding bevel is used for laying out and testing constructed angles other than 90 degrees. For instance, it can be used to mark a square angle by laying down the straight edge on a long side with the "point" on one corner and drawing a line on the 45-degree mark. Then, by turning the bevel over and mirroring the marked line, you can ensure a 90-degree angle.
For a laminate flooring installation, a sliding T-bevel is required if you need to make non-90-degree cuts. If all the cuts you'll be making are square, then a combination square is the tool you need.
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A drill and spade bit are needed to fit laminate around pipes
Fitting Laminate Flooring Around Pipes
If you need to fit laminate flooring around pipes, a drill and spade bit are essential. This combination allows you to bore large, clean holes in the laminate. The drill should be 12-, 18-, or 20-volt. Before drilling, place the piece of flooring on a scrap piece of lumber that is 1-1/2-inch thick. This setup provides support to the underside of the laminate, preventing the material from tearing as the drill bit exits the bottom face.
Spade bits are commonly used for drilling large holes in wood, plywood, and plastic. They are also suitable for cutting hardwoods such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plasterboard, and plastic-laminated wood. However, they are not recommended for use on aluminium, fiberglass, or metal, as they may damage the workpiece or wobble excessively.
When working with a spade bit, it is important to control the wobbling to minimise chipping. Additionally, for a 3/4" hole, it is advisable to turn at 2,500 to 3,000 rpm, but first checking the runout. To adjust the hole size, you can cut the long shank off the spade bit and then check the runout.
While a drill and spade bit are essential for working around pipes, they are not required for every laminate installation. Only when there are pipes coming up through the floor will you need to use these tools to bore holes in the laminate.
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Frequently asked questions
A rubber mallet is the most commonly used tool for installing laminate flooring. An ordinary steel hammer can also be used, but rubber makes the installation quieter. A pull bar is also used to hammer laminate flooring in areas where there is no room to swing a mallet, such as where the flooring meets a wall.
A pull bar is a hook-shaped tool used to install laminate flooring. It is bent on one end to engage with the end of the laminate and bent on the other end to allow a mallet or hammer to strike and drive the tool.
A tapping block is used in conjunction with a mallet or hammer to bring pieces of laminate together end-to-end. The block is shaped to conform to the tongue and groove profile on the ends of laminate flooring and sits tight against the laminate. The user then taps the block with a mallet to move a piece of flooring against its neighbour.
The RollHammer is a tool used for installing tongue and groove flooring, including laminate. It features a weighted cylinder/bar that provides leverage and power for a quick pull-hammer action for tight seams. The RollHammer PRO is a professional-grade model, while the RollHammer MAX is a lighter and more affordable option.
Other tools used to install laminate flooring include a combination square, sliding T-bevel, drill and spade bit (if working around pipes), laminate cutter, chop saw, table saw, and undercut saw.
