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Glam Journal

How big should spacers be for laminate flooring?

Author

Elijah King

Updated on April 05, 2026

How big should spacers be for laminate flooring?

Typically, laminate flooring calls for a gap of 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch. Spacers often come with the flooring, or you may purchase them separately. You can also make spacers yourself by cutting pieces of 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch plywood. Place at least two spacers along the wall that runs parallel to the long direction of your laminate flooring planks.

Where do you Lay spacers on a new floor?

Lay spacers along the wall that runs parallel to the long direction of the flooring, and opposite of the first wall. At this point, you can remove the spacers you used earlier since the floor is nearly complete and not likely to shift as you finish the installation.

How big of a gap do you need for laminate flooring?

Without an expansion gap, laminate floors would buckle as the material took on moisture in the air. Spacers help create the gap when you install the floor. Typically, laminate flooring calls for a gap of 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch. Spacers often come with the flooring, or you may purchase them separately.

Do you use shims or spacers when laying flooring?

Something you want to consider before you even start laying your floor is what you’re going to use as spacers. One thing is you want to make sure all your spacers are the same size. I actually like to go ahead and use a shim for that because all these door shims are right about the same size. They aren’t going to vary a whole lot.

How are spacers used in laminate flooring installation?

Check out our helpful guide to learn more about laminate flooring. SimpleSolutions Installation Spacers are used to maintain a proper expansion space between your floor and walls during installation. Spacers cover expansion gaps between 1/8 in. and 3/8 in. Installation spacers minimize movement of the floor during installation.

Without an expansion gap, laminate floors would buckle as the material took on moisture in the air. Spacers help create the gap when you install the floor. Typically, laminate flooring calls for a gap of 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch. Spacers often come with the flooring, or you may purchase them separately.

What are the biggest mistakes when installing laminate flooring?

11 Biggest Mistakes When Installing Laminate Flooring. Laminate flooring like any other wood floor expands and shrinks, adjusting to the environment. For example, bringing cold laminate to warm room and installing it right away, even you will leave recommended expansion gap will be not enough to avoid buckling.

Something you want to consider before you even start laying your floor is what you’re going to use as spacers. One thing is you want to make sure all your spacers are the same size. I actually like to go ahead and use a shim for that because all these door shims are right about the same size. They aren’t going to vary a whole lot.