Whichever option you choose, laminate flooring is designed to be a "floating" floor, which means that the floor is not fixed or screwed to the sub-floor. By "floating", the floor can expand and contract as environmental changes occur in the bathroom.

While each manufacturer has its own installation instructions, some basic concepts apply to all installations.

Laminate flooring can be laid directly on an existing floor or concrete, as long as the existing floor is not glued or fixed to the cement. Carpeting, however, must be removed. Remember, the floating floor principle requires that the floor be able to breathe. For best results, the existing flooring should be in good condition and as level as possible.

When the floor is fit together, it's important to leave small gaps along the walls and not to lay a perfect wall-to-wall floor. Don't worry, the gaps will never be seen because they are covered with baseboard molding. The same concept should be used when flooring up to other points of contact including cabinets, toilet's closet flange (you actually remove the toilet before installing the flooring), round pipes, tub legs, etc. Be sure to leave 1/4" to 1/2" expansion gap, which will later be filled with sealant, so that the floor can remain floating.

Before installing the laminate floor itself, an underlay made of polyurethane, foam or other similar product may be required to cushion the floor, to absorb sound, and to restrict moisture from wicking up. Follow the recommendations of the laminate floor manufacturer for best results with the flooring you select. Also, check the manufacturer's warranty to ensure bathroom installation is covered. If it's not, keep searching until you find one that is.

Regardless of which laminate flooring you select -- tongue and groove, glued or pre-glued --laminates are an easy way to totally change the look of your bathroom. By following the manufacturer's instructions on how to lay laminate flooring in a bathroom, your floor should last for years.