How to scribe laminate flooring

Scribing is a technique to install laminate flooring against an uneven wall. Most walls aren't perfectly straight, but having a straight first row with a uniform expansion gap is critical when you lay flooring. There are two different scribing methods to choose from, and neither method involves expensive tools, equipment or special skills. Take the time to lay the first row of laminate flooring correctly for a professional-looking installation.

Interlock the first row of laminate planks. Slide the row in place next to the uneven wall. Follow the manufacturer's instructions as to the size of the expansion gap required between the edge of the laminate and the skirting board.

Take a sample piece of quarter-round trim, and place it on top of the laminate and flush against the skirting board to ensure the gap is not too big.

Find the spot along the wall where the gap between the skirting board and laminate planks is the largest. Set the metal tip and pencil end of the compass to this width. Lock the compass by tightening the set screw.

Hold the compass level and perpendicular to the laminate planks. The pencil end should be touching the top of the laminate, and the metal tip end should be against the wall.

Start at one end of the wall, and keep the compass level and as you carefully run it along the wall toward the other end. This transfers the unevenness of the wall onto the laminate.

Unlock the laminate planks and cut them with a jigsaw. Use the line as a reference, and make sure not to cut beyond the line. Interlock the planks once they are cut, and slide the first row in place with a uniform expansion gap.

Repeat the first two steps from the previous section.

Place a small piece of wood on top of the laminate and hold it tight against the skirting board. The wood should be big enough to overlap the edge of the laminate planks.

Hold a pencil against the side of the wood that's away from the wall. The pencil tip should be resting on the top of the laminate.

Mark the unevenness of the wall onto the laminate by sliding the block with the pencil from one end of the wall to the other.

Unlock the laminate planks and cut them with a jigsaw. Use the line as a reference, and make sure not to cut beyond the line. Interlock the planks once they are cut, and slide the first row in place with a uniform expansion gap.