Laminate Flooring

[clarky254]

I am looking for some advice on laying Laminate Flooring? I have never done it before and would welcome any advice.

Thanks

[leylander]

there are plenty of things on the internet just type in on google

[Clanad]

It's really a pretty easy job. The one area the novice has difficulty with, though is deciding how to butt the laminatea against walls. Of course a 1/4 inch space is required all around for expansion/contraction. But you probably have some kind of mop board, as we call it here in the U.S. I think ya'll call it skirting. You can leave the "skirting" board alone and then cover the resulting space with a quarter round nailed to the skirting (not the laminate!). But the best way, inmy opinion, is to remove the skirting and replace it on top of the laminate. Not tightly, of course, else you'll defeat the expansion space's purpose. I think it looks much more professional.
Additionally, trimming the bottoms of the vertical trim boards at doors must be accomplished to allow the laminate to fit neatly under. This is best done with a special saw, seen here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Flush-Cutting-Saw-Flexible -Blade-Japanese-Style_W0QQitemZ300196955011QQi hZ020QQcategoryZ20768QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem , or better yet, an off-set handle version of the same thing, seen here: http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11101 . Use scrap piece of laminate laid against the bottom of the trim piece for thickness guide.
Finally, use a good grade of underlayment as recommended by the laminate manufacturer...

Best of luck!

[leylander]

clanad
thankyou for helpful advice Where in the USA are you ?I
am in Leyland Lancashire England ( the place where build the trucks
















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[leylander]

clanad,
what a well informed and helpful answer .Where abouts in the states are you. I am in Leyland (where they build trucks)
Lancashire England. How is your weather at the moment?

[Clanad]

I've actually seen some of the Leyland trucks, clarky254... I live in the intermountain western U.S. About 4 miles up Bear Creek... first place on the left. Cow ranch, big dog, but he'll just lick you to death. It's -15F here this morning... spring can't be too far off though!

[Clanad]

Ooops, sorry, I re-read the post and see it's from leylander...

[leylander]

I used to be a Manager at Leyland Trucks when we merged with DAF , they joined us ,picked our brains and then declared bankruptcy Paccar took over from DAF now business is booming again .When I was made redundant I was one week away from celebrating 25 years service whicih would be a gold watch and a big ****** in a 5star hotel.
They tried to headhunt me to go back ,but I took an early pension and retired to help my wife who is disabled with rheumatoid arthritis.
.

[mjwman]

I have done all 4 bedrooms kitchen, bathroom , cloakroom over the years and this week our hall!
Removing skirting is easy and is easily replaced after..., unless you are indending to refloor without decorating the walls.

Cutting accurately is important so measure twice or thrice and cut once!

Allow an extra pack for errors and wastage.

Beware of chipping the laminate off an edge and do not be tempted to carry on with it if chipped. Do change the board. If you change it the chipped bit can be used at the end of he job whichusually means the iffy area will be under furniture or in an obscure corner.

Use the fitting kit such as that from B&Q using an offcut to bag it tght with.