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Laminate Flooring DIYers?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by poynter, Jun 16, 2011.

  1. Jun 16, 2011 at 10:39 AM
    #1
    poynter

    poynter [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Anyone have laminate in their house? If so which brand did you go with?
    I want to do our main room thats around 600 sq ft. It would be great to find some less than $2 a sqfoot and I will install it myself.

    Lumber liquidators has some really good pricing but not sure of their "dream home" brand. I have a lowes locally and they carry swiftlock(leary of them as well) anderson and pergo. I want something pretty dark like this:

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jun 16, 2011 at 11:25 AM
    #2
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    I did used pergo when I moved in. Got it from Lowes. I first went to LL but they didn't have any dark ones in stock. The install is super easy btw.
     
  3. Jun 16, 2011 at 11:27 AM
    #3
    TnRedNeck721

    TnRedNeck721 Nick Namer

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    we did in the old house. i don't know what brand. but i think it was like pergo from lowes or home depot. and it was the snap together stuff.

    edit: me mom and dad did the hole up stares except the bathrooms and the stares them selves. not to hard if you got the right tools to gut it. circler saw works best. and we had pretty light colored stuff.
     
  4. Jun 16, 2011 at 11:32 AM
    #4
    Skimoab

    Skimoab Active Member

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    I actually bought some from Costco for a rental unit I own, very easy install, very durable, and actually looks really good. I don't remember the exact pricing but I remember it being about 60-70% of the price at Home Depot or Lowe's.
     
  5. Jun 20, 2011 at 3:47 PM
    #5
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    I installed quite a bit of the LL brand snap together laminate this past winter. It was pretty easy, especially with an extra pair of hands. I used a small table saw to remove the tongue of the first pieces, then a chop saw for cutting pieces to length. I had a saber saw to cut around obstacles, like air registers, and a Dremel Multi-Max for cutting door frames & trim so that the laminate could fit under. Just follow the directions supplied and use spacers.
     
  6. Jun 20, 2011 at 3:52 PM
    #6
    jeremiekc

    jeremiekc Well-Known Member

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    If you are looking at stuff like Pergo it is really easy to install. I do recommend getting/renting either a mitter saw or a buying a mitter box so that your seams are all straigt. You dont need to use nails or anything like that you will need to buy some good Wood glue to glue the ends together, this is more to keep stuff out of the joint then it is to hold it. If you plan on living in the house for a long period of time I recommend spending the extra money for something that has actual real wood on the top of it and then a clear layer over the wood. I have seen the cheaper brands where with alot of traffic over it they tend to fade down to the MDF layer. As far as putting it all together it is either a Tongue and Groove mechanism were you are just pushing them together or it is an "S" hook configuration where you have to put it at an angle and one piece fits in under neath the other.

    Things to remember when you are buying stuff. Make sure that you buy the transition pieces, there are the pieces you use between other types of flooring that you are bordering. Also spend the extra money for a good thick underlayment. Because the floor is free floating, not glue or nailed to the sub floor, the space between the sub floor and the Laminate will echo when you walk across it, if you have a basement you will hear everything that goes across the floor. Also when you are putting it together make sure that you off set the seams. You need to leave atleast 16 inches between the seams from one row to the other.

    As far as what brand to buy I would definately read up on it. Consumer Reports had a comparison of the best and worst Laminate flooring. You can go to consumerreports.com to see the comparisons. If you plan on moving eventually then go with a mid level brand.
     
  7. Jun 20, 2011 at 3:53 PM
    #7
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    the only tools you need are a measuring tape, circular saw (table saw would be easier), hammer, spacers and the tapping tool. We had 2 diff tapping tools, one main one, and one that made to get hard to reach areas

    HF has a cheapie set
     
  8. Jun 20, 2011 at 3:59 PM
    #8
    Davtopgun

    Davtopgun Weeeee mod time!

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    I install floors for a living, Pergo is a absolutely great product. Fairly easy to install, reasonable price, and great durability. There are many cheaper brands, but the little extra you will pay will be more then worth it.
     
  9. Jun 20, 2011 at 3:59 PM
    #9
    MJonaGS32

    MJonaGS32 MJ on a GS

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    youtube has a lot of tutorial vids
     
  10. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:00 PM
    #10
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    No way for me to tell, but I doubt the new flooring would fit under the existing baseboards and such. Kind of doubt it. Do some planning before you start work.
     
  11. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:05 PM
    #11
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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  12. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:07 PM
    #12
    Scott78

    Scott78 Well-Known Member

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    I used allure, you don't need a saw, just a blade. Pretty damn easy, it's got adhesive on it and just sticks together instead of clipping. The worst part is making sure the sub-floor is smooth. It was cake to install.

    I've done some of the other laminate stuff from Costco at a buddies house, it was easy too.

    Not having to go in and out to keep cutting shit on a saw is nice, I needed a measuring tape and a box cutter.
     
  13. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:10 PM
    #13
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Make sure to leave an expansion gap around the walls
     
  14. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:11 PM
    #14
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    Oh yeah; been there. Tape record all such conversations whenever possible....:frusty:
     
  15. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:15 PM
    #15
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    I'm sure there will be installation instructions with whatever type of flooring you buy , but generally you need to leave about a 3/8" gap between the floor boards and the wall to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood .

    This gap is usually hidden by the baseboard .
     
  16. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:19 PM
    #16
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    OZ is off line, so I'll answer for him. The floor must be held back from walls and other objects (pipes, etc.) by 1/4 inch (may be more for different flooring brands). Otherwise the floor may buckle in hot/humid weather. Plastic wedges may be purchased to ensure proper spacing on flooring rows, then pulled out and reused when a row is finished. All of this will be found in the instructions.
     
  17. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:20 PM
    #17
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Usually you want to climatize the boards to your space for a couple days prior to install .

    The humidity doesn't necessarily have to come from outside , ie showers , cooking , houseplants , breathing etc
     
  18. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:21 PM
    #18
    TerryS

    TerryS Well-Known Member

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    Follow the instructions. Really.
     
  19. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:22 PM
    #19
    DblCabMN

    DblCabMN Well-Known Member

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    Wow. Your roommates are dumbasses. Going out and spending 700-1300$ on flooring to cover 600 sq. ft. with no plan... no research... and no tools.

    Would love to be the owner of the store that sells those guys "all the gear they'll need"

    ...


    I just finished installing 400 sq. ft. of 2 3/4" pre-finished solid oak flooring.

    I spent a week after work researching the prep, products, tools and installation before even walking into a flooring center.

    Sounds like a case of more dollars than sense.

    Take pics, your project is going to be interesting.
     
  20. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:23 PM
    #20
    TnRedNeck721

    TnRedNeck721 Nick Namer

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    OZ i must say you are dead on, on this stuff! :thumbsup: i forgot to tell him to leave room for expansion
     

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