Laying floor panels is one of the most popular renovation works that you can do yourself without specialist knowledge. All you need are a few tools, proper surface preparation and a little patience. In this guide, we will guide you through the entire process - from selecting panels to finishing the strips. If you have recently read our article on how to install a shelf, lamp and curtain rod, this entry is a natural next step in furnishing your apartment.
What tools do you need?
Before starting work, prepare:
- hand saw or jigsaw (for cutting panels)
- spirit level and angle ruler
- mounting block and rubber hammer
- measuring tape and pencil
- spacer wedges (10 mm)
- acoustic backing
- adhesive tape for the backing
- threshold profile and skirting boards
💡 TipBefore purchasing the panels, carefully measure the area of the room and add a 10-15% allowance for waste and cutting errors. It is also worth buying several pieces from the same series as a reserve for the future.
Step 0: Acclimatization of the panels
The panels are sensitive to the conditions in the room. Leave them in unfolded boxes in the destination room for a minimum of 48 hours - at a temperature of 18-22°C and humidity of 30-65%. Skipping this step is the most common mistake leading to warping and gaps after installation.
Installation of panels – step by step
Preparation and leveling of the substrate
- Check with a spirit level whether the substrate is even - the permissible deviation is 2-3 mm per 2 m. Fill any unevenness with putty or self-leveling screed. Remove dust, grease and old glue remnants. If your old floor is in poor condition, consider removing it completely.
Laying the acoustic underlay
- Lay out the underlay (usually foam or cork, 2–3 mm) perpendicular to the direction of laying the panels. Tape the joints to prevent the underlay from moving during installation. A good underlay muffles the noise of footsteps and evens out minor irregularities.
Determining the laying direction
- 3Determining the laying directionClassically, the panels are placedparallel to the longer wallor along the source of natural light. Plan the layout so that the last row is no narrower than 5 cm - if so, trim the first row slightly.
Laying the first row
- 4Laying the first rowStart from the left corner of the room, with the tongue side facing the wall.Insert spacer wedges every 30-40 cmbetween the panels and the wall - this is a necessary expansion gap of approx. 10 mm, which allows the panels to "breathe" during temperature changes.
Connecting subsequent rows (click system)
- 5Connecting subsequent rows (click system)Insert the panel tongue into the groove at an angle of approximately 45°, and then lower it flat to the floor. Press along the joint with a mounting block and a rubber hammer.Move the joints by a minimum of 30 cm("brick" arrangement) - this strengthens the floor and looks aesthetic.
Cutting panels near walls and obstacles
- The last row requires careful measurement and cutting. Use a jigsaw or saw. For heating pipes, cut a hole 1-2 cm larger than the pipe diameter - expansion joint is necessary here.
Installation of skirting boards and thresholds
- After removing the wedges, install skirting boards covering the expansion joint. Use threshold profiles in passages between rooms. You can glue or hang the strips on handles - the latter method allows for easy disassembly.
⚠️ The most common mistakes
- Lack of acclimatization of the panels – leads to warping and gaps
- Omitting expansion joints from the walls - panels "explode" when the temperature changes
- Uneven floor – panels creak and crack when walked on
- Laying joints in the same place – weakens the floor structure
- Wrong selection of underlay – underfloor heating requires a special underlay with low thermal resistance
Panels and underfloor heating
Not all panels are suitable for underfloor heating. Look for products with the appropriate marking or the reheating symbol on the packaging. An appropriate underlay is also crucial - with a thermal resistance below 0.15 m²K/W. The substrate temperature should never exceed 28°C.
When planning such an installation, it is worth consulting a specialist - check the services in your city at SpotMeUp: Home and Garden professionals.
Don't want to do it yourself?
Find a proven specialist for installing panels in your city. Compare offers and opinions of local specialists.
Installation of floor panels in your city
If you prefer to have the panels installed by a professional, SpotMeUp will help you find proven specialists throughout Poland. Below we have collected links to floor installation services in the largest cities:
| City | Service | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Warsaw | Panel installation Warsaw, handyman Warsaw | See specialists → |
| Kraków | Laying floors Krakow | See specialists → |
| Wrocław | Installation of panels Wrocław, renovation services | See specialists → |
| Poznań | Laying panels Poznań | See specialists → |
| Gdańsk / Tricity | Specialist Gdańsk, flooring Gdańsk | See specialists → |
| Łódź | Floor installation Łódź | See specialists → |
The price of installing panels in Warsaw and other large cities is usually PLN 25 to PLN 60 per m² of labor, depending on the difficulty of the layout and the experience of the specialist. Materials (panels, underlay, strips) are a separate cost.
Services in your area
Search for local flooring specialists - installation of panels, parquet, carpets. No intermediaries, no hidden costs.
Also read from the Home and Garden series
- Installation of a shelf, lamp and curtain rod - step by step guide for beginnersHow to hang a shelf and install a lamp yourself ceiling and hang curtain rods.
- Apartment renovation from A to Z - step by step checklist + costs 2026Complete list of renovation stages, labor costs and materials in 2026.
- 10 things you can fix at home yourself - a simple DIY guideMinor repairs that anyone can do without calling a specialist.
- How to paint your apartment yourself step by stepPreparing walls, selecting paint and painting technique for everyone.
FAQ – most frequently asked questions
A room of approx. 20 m² can be completed by an experienced DIYer in one day. Counting the acclimatization of the panels (48 hours) - the entire process takes 3-4 days.
Yes, provided the tiles are firmly attached, even and clean. Any cracks should be filled and any unevenness should be leveled with putty. Note the additional floor height (important near doors).
Panels with a thickness of 8–12 mm are recommended for apartments. Thinner ones (6-7 mm) are cheaper, but more sensitive to surface unevenness. Thicker ones (12-14 mm) provide better sound insulation and durability.
The price of labor in Warsaw is usually from PLN 30 to PLN 60 per m², depending on the layout (straight/diagonal) and additional work (removal of old floors, leveling). Check current offers at SpotMeUp.
Standard laminated panels are not waterproof. For the kitchen, you can use AC4/AC5 class panels with good impregnation, but for the bathroom it is better to choose special LVT vinyl panels or ceramic tiles.
Useful external sources
- Porady montażowe Pergo – producent paneli (pergo.com)
- How much does it cost to install panels in 2026 - RynekPierwotny.pl
- Floor panel price comparison – Ceneo.pl
Summary
Laying floor panels is a task that the vast majority of people can do on their own. The key to success isacclimatization of the panels, proper preparation of the substrate and maintaining expansion joints. If you have any doubts about the condition of the subfloor, underfloor heating or a complex system, do not hesitate to consult a specialist.
Read also our previous tips from the series: installation of a shelf, lamp and curtain rod and apartment renovation from A to Z. Want more advice? Visit the Home and Garden category on SpotMeUp.
