Anyone ever lay laminate flooring?

[smitty81]

I am thinking about doing a little project but I have no expierence using this stuff.

How much of a challange is it?

I'm talking about the wooden planks, like hardwood flooring.

[Remo]

Easy, all tongue and groove, a little cutting here and there but fairly straight forward. If we are talking laminate wood?

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by Remo_5_0

Easy, all tongue and groove, a little cutting here and there but fairly straight forward. If we are talking laminate wood?

yea

[pektel]

Yep. Quite a bit. Very easy, and very basic tools. Chop saw, circular saw, jigsaw. If you have access to one, a jamb saw is definitely a plus.

The first couple rows gives you the hang of it, so that part normally takes the longest. Remember to measure twice, cut once.

[Ogre]

Make sure the floor is clean and level. Don't rush it and you will be fine.

[pektel]

Doesnt' even really need to be level. Just flat lol.

Have you checked into LVT (luxury vinyl tile)? Installation similar to laminate, but you don't have to worry about water. I sell more of this than traditional wood laminate:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo01Sg8f0qg

[BlkDrew]

Originally Posted by pektel

Doesnt' even really need to be level. Just flat lol.

Have you checked into LVT (luxury vinyl tile)? Installation similar to laminate, but you don't have to worry about water. I sell more of this than traditional wood laminate:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo01Sg8f0qg

We used something similar on our hospice floor at the hospital.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by pektel

Doesnt' even really need to be level. Just flat lol.

Have you checked into LVT (luxury vinyl tile)? Installation similar to laminate, but you don't have to worry about water. I sell more of this than traditional wood laminate:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo01Sg8f0qg

It has decent vinyl flooring in it now, I was trying to stiffen up the floor a bit using the laminate wood.

[pektel]

All laminate woods currently available (that I've seen) are floating. They lock into each other, but are not secured to the floor/walls. The expansion gap will vary depending on type/thickness of laminate used.

I doubt a laminate floor will stiffen your exisitng floor, since it is not attached in any way to it. For that, you would need to go to an engineered wood, but check to see how those handle the temp/humidity swings of a camper.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by pektel

All laminate woods currently available (that I've seen) are floating. They lock into each other, but are not secured to the floor/walls. The expansion gap will vary depending on type/thickness of laminate used.

I doubt a laminate floor will stiffen your exisitng floor, since it is not attached in any way to it. For that, you would need to go to an engineered wood, but check to see how those handle the temp/humidity swings of a camper.

I'm not looking to take all the stress off, just looking to even it out a bit more. The laminate wood would stiffen it up better than vinyl I would think?

I dunno, just seemed like a good idea to me.

[smitty81]

I am thinking of putting this down in a camper. (pretty small area)

[Chainsaw13]

Use a scrap piece of flooring, or you can always buy one of those plastic blocks. That and a rubber mallet will help tighten all your gaps after you put each piece in.

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

Use a scrap piece of flooring, or you can always buy one of those plastic blocks. That and a rubber mallet will help tighten all your gaps after you put each piece in.

You don't want to start banging on engineered "click" flooring.

[pektel]

Right. I'm guessing in a commercial/institutional application, they may have went with a glue down type installation method. Though, I do know some of my floating LVT's carry a 6 year commercial warranty.

[smitty81]

How do I secure the laminate wood down, glue?

Or do I just leave it loose over the existing floor?

Also, do I go right against the wall?

[pektel]

Well, most laminate floors require a very flat floor (1/8" variance per 10' of floor or less). Otherwise joints can peak/valley and wear out the floor quickly. Are you saying the floor itself is more uneven than the 1/8" per 10 feet, and hoping the laminate floor will just even out the dips in your existing floor? If so, manufacturers will not honor any warranty.

[smitty81]

Originally Posted by pektel

Well, most laminate floors require a very flat floor (1/8" variance per 10' of floor or less). Otherwise joints can peak/valley and wear out the floor quickly. Are you saying the floor itself is more uneven than the 1/8" per 10 feet, and hoping the laminate floor will just even out the dips in your existing floor? If so, manufacturers will not honor any warranty.

No, the guy that had it said there was a soft spot in the floor. He fixed it............

The floor is pretty flat. I was just looking to have something over it that would be some what stiff to help absorb the stress of walking.

The vinyl is soft and thin, all your weight goes right through. I would think with the laminate since its harder and thicker, it would disperse the stress and weight better.

As far as the warranty goes, I'm not concerned about it. Its such a small space.

[jluck]

Soft spot = water damage or rot.

Caveat emptor

[pektel]

Another thing that just came to mind. Laminate floor (as long as the substrate requirements are met) is probably a great choice for a camper. Since it isn't anchored, you shouldn't have to worry about the flexing a camper will go through while being transported.

[pektel]

+1. I'd tear up the vinyl, replace the damaged section of subfloor, then install laminate. Also be SURE to check the joists (or whatever supports the floor in a camper).