First time installing laminate, want to do it right
"First time installing laminate, want to do it right," in the Hardwood and Laminates Q&A forum, begins: "3rdfloordesign said
Regarding the trim install method:
I have done both. I prefer Track on straight transitions, doorways, etc.
I ..."
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
3rdfloordesign said
Regarding the trim install method:
I have done both. I prefer Track on straight transitions, doorways, etc.
I glue with picture frame installs, ( around fireplaces, etc.) Use a liquid nails type glue, clean the concrete first and apply a bead to the concrete and back of the trim. Set in place, tape tight with blue tape the outside miters and weigh down over night.
Do you have a miter saw for cutting around the fireplace?
I do have a miter saw, and a miter box. Since the fireplace is sent at an angle to the room I also picked up a T-bevel in order to capture the correct angle for the laminate planks. When I first researched trim & found the track systems, I thought it would be a great system, but I'm having a hell of a time finding the tracks - no one seems to carry them. A few of the big box stores have Fastrim kits with the track bundled in, but those tend to be shorter lengths of trim, under 4' in length. That would work fine for the bedroom doorways, but I have a very wide doorway into the kitchen that gets heavy traffic. I would prefer to install a single T-molding in that opening, and the kits aren't long enough. I guess I can glue that one if it comes to that.
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
My experience with the tracts is that the molding doesn't snap out of the tract without losing the 'leg'. Therefore I usually glue all the moldings as there seems to be no real benefit to the tracts.
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
I like the tracks also, because the eliminate the need to weigh down the transitions. Once you snap them in ( or pound them in with a mallet) they hold the edge of the laminate snug and you do not have to worry about them popping off later.
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
Glueing works better for concrete IMO. However, a track gives a more perfect fit to the laminate. Just dont pound it in until you're good and sure it's perfect.
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
I managed to find a place that sold the trim I wanted, AND had the tracks available - so now I'm not 100% sure which way I'll go. I'll probably get the tracks just in case and then decide once we hit that point of the install which way to go.
One last question (I think!): I'm reading through all of the installation instructions for the flooring and the underlayment, and they are contradictory. The soundmuffler underlayment instructions state to roll out the underlayment perpendicular to the boards. However, the laminate manufacturer requires the underlayment lay in the same direction as the flooring. Ugh. Which direction do I follow?
Re: First time installing laminate, want to do it right
Just wanted to post a quick update (no pictures yet, sorry!).
Before we started I had no idea how much of a back-breaking job this would be. Pulling out the carpet and getting up all the tackstrips and baseboard was a job and a half, and in retrospect that was the easy part. I can't believe how long it is taking to lay down the flooring, although in my defense this has really been a one woman show. My husband is great at a lot of things, but cutting a straight line is not one of them, so he is no longer allowed to "help".
We've done the entry, the entire living room, and half of the hallway. I think there is maybe 45 square feet left to cover, but that small area includes 4 doorways so it'll probably take me the next few evenings to finish up. The rest of the trim and baseboard should be in place by the end of next weekend, which will be 2 weeks from start to finish.
I can't begin to thank everyone here for all of the suggestions, both in this thread and in all the others on this topic. There's no way I could have undertaken such a major project without the help.
Along that same vein, I'd like to offer some suggestions to any future DIYers who are considering laying their own laminate floors:
-Kneepads are not a luxury item. They are as necessary as a ruler and saw if you ever plan to walk again.
-Contractor pencil marks are much easier to remove from the surface of a board than black magic marker, if you happen to mark the wrong end. They're also just as easy to see.
-Plan for it to take twice as long as you expect, unless you're really good with a circular saw.
-The coping saw is aptly named. It helped me cope with some weird cuts. The replacement blades are cheap - buy some, in different gauges.
-Blue painter's tape is extremely handy when trying to roll out the underlayment - use it to hold the foam in place until the boards are installed.
-Don't bother buying any of those thin, flexible flushcut pull saws to undercut the door jambs. They're only flexible to a point, and once they bend they're garbage. Get the heavier saw with the offset handle.
-The single most useful tool I bought for getting up the tackstrips and baseboard was a tiny little 7" "wonderbar". They should be standard issue for homeowners.
With any luck we'll have some pictures to show in a few days.
