Laminate Floors: Installing these in my place soon, what do I need to know

[Deathlok2001]

anything... I know that thicker is better, so I am getting 12 mm laminate with an underlay.... its suppose to be easy to install. I am installing it myself.......


Anyone have this type of flooring in their homes, what is your opinion

 

[Batty for Bats!]

Where is it being installed? You'll want to start from doorway.

For instance, I started at the doorway, alittle bit off center. Made a straight line to the toliet. You don't want to center the line in the center of the doorway. And don't just start placing things thinking everything will look good.

Is it a pre-set pattern or (like the kind i installed) fake "stone" (mine was brown-cream color with streaks of white). You'll want to have a "Flow" if that's the case.

 

[Deathlok2001]

nono, its distressed wood pattern... doing my living room, front foyer & kitchen

I believe the exact name of the pattern is Charleston pine

 

[Batty for Bats!]

Does your front door enter into one of those areas?


Edit: upps, didn't see the foyer. Umm, if its an isolated aread, you'll prolly want to start from the doorway into the foyer with the boards being place longitated against the doorway base board. It it leads into say the living room and your tv is in a corner, you'll prolly want that to be the "Flow" (being the short end on short end.

 

[Deathlok2001]

 

[Deathlok2001]

Does your front door enter into one of those areas?

Well, yes, the front door goes into the front foyer, then living room

 

[Batty for Bats!]

bare with me...

now, you'll want the foyer inviting.. so the flow will go with on how you enter it.

 

[Deathlok2001]

Yes, I was thinking that exactly, otherwise the floor will look like tiger stripes if you place the boards the other way! LOL

 

[NHawk19]

Make sure you have about 3 -4 boxes to pull from at random once you start so the veneer pattern doesnt repeat, use the spacers at the wall, and be sure to water seal any "wet" areas like the entry by putting the recommended glue at the joints.

 

[THWIP*]

anything... I know that thicker is better, so I am getting 12 mm laminate with an underlay.... its suppose to be easy to install. I am installing it myself.......


Anyone have this type of flooring in their homes, what is your opinion

THE BEST ADVICE I CAN GIVE YOU IS, DON'T WEAR PANTYHOSE DURING INSTALLATION.

 

[wolfsfang]

Here is my advice

Don't bother!

They are cold and hard and very slippy when they have been cleaned. Give me a nice confy soft carpet any day and leave wooden floors on the decks of ships.

 

[redmarvel]

DON'T USE IT FOR THE KITCHEN!!!

Not unless you're willing to go over it with some sort of thick laquer to fill in all the cracks in the boards. Otherwise when water gets spilled on the kitchen floor it will leak between the infinitesimal cracks between boards and cause them to swell and possibly buckle. Wood or wood byproducts are never recommended for "high water" areas.

 

[Deathlok2001]

Make sure you have about 3 -4 boxes to pull from at random once you start so the veneer pattern doesnt repeat, use the spacers at the wall, and be sure to water seal any "wet" areas like the entry by putting the recommended glue at the joints.

Good Advice, ty.

 

[NHawk19]

Good Advice, ty.

Anytime.

I put it in my Kitchen and Dining area. Open area's went pretty fast but door jams take some time.

 

[THWIP*]

Anytime.

I put it in my Kitchen and Dining area. Open area's went pretty fast but door jams take some time.

MY WIFE AND I JUST FINISHED LAYING 3/4" HARDWOOD DOWN IN OUR ENTIRE HOME. WE DID THE WORK OURSELVES, SO IT TOOK THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR, WORKING MAINLY ON WEEKENDS, AND ONLY WHEN SHE WASN'T IN SCHOOL. TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $15K, BUT IT WAS WELL WORTH IT.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

DON'T USE IT FOR THE KITCHEN!!!

Not unless you're willing to go over it with some sort of thick laquer to fill in all the cracks in the boards. Otherwise when water gets spilled on the kitchen floor it will leak between the infinitesimal cracks between boards and cause them to swell and possibly buckle. Wood or wood byproducts are never recommended for "high water" areas.

You dont need an overly thick laquer, you can buy a water sealer that's approved for hardwood and laminate floors and apply it to the immedaite area in front of the sink or the entire room if you want just to be safe. I've had wood floors in my kitchen for years, and being the cluts that I am have spilled entire pitchers of liquid on them and i havent had any issues with the boards swelling or buckling.