Laminate Floor In Kitchen Area

[bond]

Please could someone tell me how it works when laminate floor is laid in a kitchen area, not under the units but upto just beyond where the plinths sit (so units and white goods do not sit on it but it goes under the plinth). How is it secured and kept in place when there is no edge/skirting to place it to? I know it can be done, and please don't lecture me about laminate in a kitchen, this is a special case : ) Thanks.

[Spotty Dog]

It works perfectly well. Just remove the plinths, floor up to the legs of the units, then replace plinths.( They may have to be reduced slightly)

[bhg481]

We did this some years ago, with no problems.
Some of the tiles will be up to an edge and the way the tiles clip together seems to provide enough friction for there to be no sideways slippage for the rest.
When we laid it we re-adjusted the unit feet to sit on it, so that provided an anchor too.

[bond]

Hi, sorry I've not described the situation properly. The laminate has to be laid so the thinnest end (the width not the length) goes towards and under the plinths, to fit with the rest of the room (open plan), currently the badly fitted old laminate I have moves all the time (especially when the washing machine spins) where there are no unit legs, so I have large gaps in front of the plinths as opposed to behind them...

[bhg481]

We have a long, thin kitchen with units down both sides. The laminate goes across and is laid on to a wooden floor. Is this the same as yours?

[The Builder]

If laminate is fitted right up to the skirtings, then an expansion gap should be left.... 10mm usually,but with thin laminate, you could get away with 5mm.

Run a bead of clear silicone (or brown, whichever you choose) along this gap, on the surface and against the skirting. This is done to stop water (from spills/cleaning etc) soaking in under the flooring. This will also keep the flooring in place. Send the ends of the laminate under the plinths as mentioned above.

Bear in mind that anything too thick might make it impossible to pull the appliances in and out.

The problem with thin laminated "lifting" in the middle of the room is well known. Perhaps apply some glue or silicone in several places as it's laid.