August 26, 2026
Laminate flooring installation in Sydney usually means a floating floor: the boards lock together over an underlay and are not glued or nailed down. A good result comes from a flat, dry subfloor, the right expansion gaps and neat trims at the edges. This guide explains each step, what affects timing, how to get your home ready and how to look after your new floor.
Laminate is a layered board with a fibreboard core and a hard-wearing printed surface. It is laid as one connected floor that can move very slightly as temperature and humidity change, so each step below matters.
It starts with a free measure and quote. We measure each room, look at doorways and stairs, check the current flooring and talk you through suitable laminate ranges.
Laminate should settle into the conditions of your home before it is laid. Each manufacturer sets its own acclimatisation guidelines, such as how long the boxes should sit in the rooms and whether they stay sealed. Our installation team follows the guidelines for your range.
A floating floor needs a subfloor that is flat, clean, dry and sound. High spots may need grinding and dips may need a levelling compound. Concrete slabs are checked for moisture, and loose or squeaky timber boards are secured. Old carpet, underlay and gripper strips are removed. Getting this right stops boards flexing, joints opening and the floor sounding hollow.
Underlay goes down next. It smooths out very small imperfections, softens footfall noise and, over concrete, adds a moisture barrier. The right underlay depends on your subfloor and the laminate range.
The boards are laid row by row with the end joints staggered. A gap is left at every wall and around fixed objects such as kitchen islands, door frames and pipes, so the floor can move without lifting. Long runs and doorways between rooms may need an expansion joint, depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The edges are finished so the expansion gap is hidden. Your skirting boards can stay in place with scotia added along the bottom, or they can be removed and refitted over the new floor. Transition trims join the laminate to tiles or carpet at doorways. Door architraves are undercut so the boards slide neatly underneath, and doors may need trimming to clear the new floor height.
Every home is different, so we do not quote fixed hours. The table shows what affects the timing of a typical job. We confirm the timeframe for your home at the measure.
| Factor | Why it affects timing |
|---|---|
| Floor area and number of rooms | More rooms means more cuts, doorways and trims |
| Old flooring removal | Carpet, tiles or old boards need to come up first |
| Subfloor preparation | Grinding or levelling compound adds time, including drying time |
| Acclimatisation | Boards may need to sit in the rooms before laying |
| Stairs | Each tread is cut and fitted one at a time |
| Furniture and appliances | Rooms need to be clear before work starts |
Want a timeframe and a written quote for your rooms? Book a free measure and quote and we will talk you through samples for your rooms.
For more on spills and wet areas, read our guide to water-resistant laminate flooring.
Royal Laminate 8mm: 8mm boards, 1215 x 196mm, with an AC4 surface and 48-hour water resistance. Eight colours and a 25 year limited residential warranty.
Royal Procore Laminate: extra-long 2265 x 192mm boards, 12.3mm thick, with an AC4 surface and over 72 hours of water resistance. Twelve colours and a 25 year limited residential warranty.
RoyalStep Laminate 12mm: the highest-rated laminate in our range. It is AC5 rated and 12.3mm thick, with a 3D surface and a water-resistant design. Ten colours and a 25 year limited residential warranty.
Clix Laminate: a European-made 7mm oak-look laminate with a matt AC4 surface, in 1261 x 192mm boards. Nine colours and a 15 year residential warranty.
| Range | Thickness | AC rating | Water resistance | Colours | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Laminate 8mm | 8mm | AC4 | 48 hours | 8 | 25 year limited residential |
| Royal Procore Laminate | 12.3mm | AC4 | Over 72 hours | 12 | 25 year limited residential |
| RoyalStep Laminate 12mm | 12.3mm | AC5 | Water-resistant design | 10 | 25 year limited residential |
| Clix Laminate | 7mm | AC4 | Ask us | 9 | 15 year residential |
See every colour on our laminate flooring page. Still deciding between floor types? Our hybrid vs laminate flooring guide compares the two, or browse our hybrid flooring.
Our installation team lays your laminate to the manufacturer’s installation guidelines. Royal Floors gives a 2 year installation warranty, and each range carries its own product warranty from the manufacturer. You can read how the two work on our warranty page. For the other floors we install and repair, see our flooring installation and repairs service.
Laminate colours look different in your own light, so it helps to hold the boards in your hand. With over 20 years of experience, our team can help you choose a range and plan the installation. Visit laminate flooring at Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan.
Laminate is usually installed as a floating floor. The boards lock together over an underlay and are not glued or nailed to the subfloor. A small expansion gap is left around the edges and covered with skirting or scotia.
It depends on the floor area, the number of rooms, any old flooring that needs to come up and how much subfloor preparation is needed. We give you a timeframe for your job at the free measure and quote.
Sometimes. Laminate can often float over a flat, sound hard floor if the manufacturer’s guidelines allow it, but carpet always needs to come up first. We check your subfloor at the measure and tell you what is needed.
No. Laminate is not waterproof, so wipe up spills promptly. Our Royal laminate ranges are water resistant: Royal Laminate 8mm offers 48-hour water resistance and Royal Procore Laminate offers over 72 hours.
Royal Floors gives a 2 year installation warranty. Each laminate range also carries its own manufacturer’s product warranty, from 15 years on Clix Laminate to 25 years limited residential on our Royal laminate ranges.
Ready to plan your new floor? Visit Royal Floors in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, book your free measure and quote or call 1300 980 501.
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