Key Takeaways
- Laminate flooring installation requires 11 tools across four categories: measuring and layout, cutting, installation, and subfloor prep. Having every tool staged before you start is what keeps the job moving without interruption.
- Subfloor prep is the most critical step before installation: the surface must be flat within 3/16 of an inch over 10 feet, and tools like a level and orbital sander are essential for catching and correcting problem areas before any plank goes down.
- Straight cuts call for a circular saw or laminate cutter, while a jigsaw handles curved cuts around floor vents, pipes, and toilet bases; both are necessary for a complete install, depending on your room layout.
- An oscillating multi-tool is the most overlooked tool on the list, handling door casing undercuts so planks slide cleanly underneath, and installation tools like a tapping block and pull bar protect locking edges from the first row to the last.
- GenuineTools stocks the full power tool lineup for laminate installs: circular saws, jigsaws, oscillating multi-tools, and orbital sanders, all 100% authentic, factory-sealed, and shipped from a US warehouse within 1 business day of handling at up to 60% off MSRP.
Tools for Laying Laminate Flooring: Which Ones Do You Need?
Laying laminate flooring takes 11 tools: a tape measure, wall spacers, a level, a cutting saw, an oscillating multi-tool, a rubber mallet, a tapping block, a speed square, a pull bar, a jigsaw, and an orbital sander.
The tools fall into four categories: measuring and layout, cutting, installation, and subfloor prep. Some apply to every job; others only come into play based on your room layout and obstacles. The breakdown below covers what each tool does, when you need it, and what to have staged before the first plank goes down.
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Essential Tools & Gear to Lay Laminate Flooring
1. Measuring Tape
Everything starts with accurate measurements. A quality tape measure lets you calculate square footage, determine how many planks you need, and plan your layout so you don't end up with an awkward sliver at the end of a row. Always add 10% to your total square footage to account for cuts and waste.
2. Wall Spacers
Wall spacers are small plastic wedges that hold a consistent 10mm expansion gap between the laminate and the wall. Laminate expands and contracts with humidity and temperature changes, and without that gap, the floor can buckle or warp over time. Place them along every wall before you start laying planks and remove them once the installation is complete.
3. Level
A level confirms your subfloor is flat before a single plank goes down. Laminate requires no more than 3/16 of an inch variance over a 10-foot span, and anything beyond that needs to be corrected with leveling compound or sanding first. Skipping this step leads to clicking, creaking, and planks that won't lock together cleanly.
4. Laminate Cutter, Chop Saw, or Circular Saw
The cutting tool you choose has the biggest impact on your finished result. A laminate cutter handles fast, dust-free straight crosscuts; a miter saw handles angled cuts around door frames; a circular saw covers both and works well for most DIY installs. The Milwaukee® M18 6-1/2" Circular Saw (2630-20) at GenuineTools runs at 3,500 RPM with an aircraft aluminum shoe, weighs approximately 7 lbs, and cuts cordless, so there's no cord getting underfoot.
The Milwaukee® M18 6-1/2" Circular Saw (2630-20) has a high performance of 3,500 RPM.
5. Oscillating Multi-Tool
An oscillating multi-tool handles cuts a straight saw can't reach, and its main job in a laminate install is undercutting door casings so planks slide cleanly underneath. Hold the flat blade against the casing with a scrap of laminate and underlayment stacked underneath as a depth guide, run it along the trim, and the casing lifts away cleanly. The Milwaukee® M18 Oscillating Multi-Tool (2626-20) at GenuineTools runs between 11,000 and 18,000 OPM, features a 12-setting speed dial, and is compatible with most accessory brands via a universal adapter.
6. Hammer or Rubber Mallet
A rubber mallet is the preferred choice for most of the install since it drives planks together without cracking or denting the surface. A standard hammer works too, but should always be paired with a tapping block to protect the locking edge. Keep both nearby: the mallet handles the bulk of the work, and the hammer steps in for stubborn planks that need a firmer connection.
Pro Tip: Never strike a laminate plank directly with a metal hammer. Even a single solid blow can crush the tongue-and-groove locking edge, making a tight seam impossible.
7. Tapping Blocks
A tapping block sits between your hammer and the plank edge, distributing force evenly across the locking joint so you don't damage the tongue or groove. You can buy a purpose-made version for just a few dollars, or cut a scrap piece of laminate to use as a stand-in. Either works as long as you're never making direct metal-to-plank contact.
8. T-Square or Speed Square
A T-square or speed square lets you mark perfectly perpendicular cut lines quickly and check that rows stay parallel to your reference wall as you work. In longer rooms, especially, even a few millimeters of drift over several rows becomes very visible near the far wall. Catching it early with a square keeps the whole install true.
9. Pull Bar or Knucklehead Bar
A pull bar solves the problem that shows up in every laminate installation: the last row of planks against the wall, where there's no room to swing a mallet. It hooks over the plank edge and provides a surface to tap with your hammer, pulling the board snugly into the previous row. Without it, your final rows will have gaps that can't be fixed by hand.
10. Jigsaw
A jigsaw handles curved and irregular cuts that no straight saw can make, including notches around floor vents, pipes, and toilet bases. Use a fine-tooth blade at a controlled speed with the finished face down, and mark your cut line carefully before you start.
The Milwaukee® M18 FUEL Jig Saw (2737-20) at GenuineTools reaches up to 3,500 strokes per minute with tool-free blade changes, a bevel adjustment with detents at 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees, and an integrated LED light to keep your cut line visible.
The Milwaukee® M18 FUEL Jig Saw (2737-20) has the power for cutting through hard materials.
11. Orbital Sander
An orbital sander has no role in finishing laminate planks; its job is subfloor prep: smoothing high spots, knocking down dried adhesive, or feathering the edges of leveling compound before installation begins. Any rough spot that makes it through prep will telegraph through the finished floor, causing planks to flex and creak over time.
The Milwaukee® M12 FUEL Orbital Detail Sander (2531-20) at GenuineTools weighs 1.3 lbs, fits into tight corners a full-size sander can't reach, and runs at four speed settings between 4,000 and 14,000 OPM for precise control over surface prep.
Buy Your Tools from GenuineTools at Up to 60% Off MSRP
A laminate installation goes wrong at the prep stage, not during laying. The right tools handle every cut cleanly, keep every row true, and protect every locking edge from the first plank to the last. Get the list right before you start, and the job takes care of itself. That's where we come in. GenuineTools stocks Milwaukee® circular saws, jigsaws, oscillating multi-tools, orbital sanders, and more at up to 60% off retail, all brand new and factory-sealed.
GenuineTools carries the right power tools for helping you lay laminate flooring, backed by fast shipping, the best prices, and hundreds of 5-star reviews from verified customers.
Whether you're outfitting a first install or restocking a kit that's seen better days, our inventory covers every power tool on this list. No splitting across suppliers, no compatibility guesswork, just the right tools at the right price, ready when you are. Check our inventory, build your kit, and start your install with confidence
Shop for power tools at GenuineTools today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Need Special Tools to Cut Laminate Flooring?
Yes, but the tools are affordable and widely available. Laminate has a hard wear layer over a fiberboard core, so standard hand saws tear the surface and leave rough edges on every cut. A laminate cutter handles fast, straight crosscuts, a miter saw handles angled cuts around door frames, and a circular saw covers both when you want one tool for the whole job.
Can I Lay Laminate Flooring Without a Tapping Block?
You can, but direct hammer contact will crush the tongue-and-groove locking edge, and the plank becomes unusable. Once that edge is damaged, the board won't seat properly, and no amount of effort fixes the gap, as the plank has to be replaced. A tapping block costs just a few dollars and protects every plank you install.
What Is an Expansion Gap and Why Do I Need Spacers?
An expansion gap is a deliberate 10mm space left between the laminate and every fixed vertical surface in the room. Laminate is a floating floor that moves as a single unit when temperature and humidity change. Without that gap, the pressure has nowhere to go, and the planks buckle. Wall spacers hold that gap consistent while you work and are removed once the installation is complete.
Do I Need Underlayment Before Laying Laminate Flooring?
In almost every case, yes. Underlayment is a thin foam or cork layer that goes between the subfloor and the planks, smoothing minor imperfections, blocking moisture, and reducing the hollow sound that laminate is prone to. If your planks already have underlayment bonded to the back, skip the separate layer, as adding a second one can interfere with the locking joints and void your warranty.
What Tools for Laying Laminate Flooring Are Available at GenuineTools?
GenuineTools carries the power tools you need for a laminate installation, including circular saws, jigsaws, oscillating multi-tools, and orbital sanders. Every tool on this list is available in one place, so you're not splitting orders across multiple suppliers or guessing at compatibility. Check the full inventory at GenuineTools before you start and have everything staged before the first plank goes down.
*Note: Pricing and/or product availability mentioned in this post are subject to change. Please check the GenuineTools website for current pricing and stock information before making a purchase.