First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
"First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start," in the Hardwood and Laminates Q&A forum, begins: "Hi guys!
My husband and I are getting ready to install our Costco Harmonics flooring. We are pretty competent DIY'ers, ..."
First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
Hi guys!
My husband and I are getting ready to install our Costco Harmonics flooring. We are pretty competent DIY'ers, think we can handle the cuts and other aspects of the job without too much issue.
I do have one question though. The entry of the home is on the diagonal. Im not sure where to start laying the flooring. I was hoping to just pull up the vinyl we have down now up as needed, but its beginning to look like Ill need to start in the biggest room.
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
If the arrows in the hall are the direction you want to go then start on your fireplace wall. I would make a story page with width measurements of boards. If it is 7" wide then 7,14,21 etc. Then tape your area out with those measurements to make sure you have a good breaking lines for your flooring as you don't want to have a skinny sliver somewhere that won't stay locked in. You might need to cut a board on your starting wall to change that.When you shoot down the hall with your floor you can install it going backwards into your bath. Undercut all doorjams the thickness of your flooring and pull all the baseboards. Allow for expansion around everything.
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
kwfloors said
If the arrows in the hall are the direction you want to go then start on your fireplace wall. ... Allow for expansion around everything.
Thank you! I appreciate your input.
Which brings me to my next question
Im aware that we need to leave expansion around everything, and then use quarter rounds to cover the gap. What do we use in front of the fireplace, should we undercut the brick skirting?
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
You can use some end/butt cap laminate transition and picture frame it around the fireplace, but if you undercut the bricks, it looks so much nicer. Some rental shops have the saw that you can rent for the job.
You'll need to build yourself a dust catcher out of a cardboard box and a hose from a shop vac connected to it. Keep it close behind the saw as you cut and it will eliminate most of the dust. And there IS a lot of dust.
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
Darol Wester said
You can use some end/butt cap laminate transition and picture frame it around the fireplace, but if you undercut the bricks, it looks so much nicer. Some rental shops have the saw that you can rent for the job.
You'll need to build yourself a dust catcher out of a cardboard box and a hose from a shop vac connected to it. Keep it close behind the saw as you cut and it will eliminate most of the dust. And there IS a lot of dust.
Thank you!
Since my husband has to do the work on this, Ill let him decide which way to go. But knowing him, Im pretty sure hell want to do it the way it looks nicest
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
My Husband, Chris scored a line on the brick using his angle grinder. I chased the grinder witht he shop vac It went really smooth. He than chiseled out the brick. Im suprised on how easy it was
While we had the carpet in the room pulled up, Chris thought it would be a great time to pain. So we ran out and chose a color, and painted night before last.
I can see how this could affect each room that laminate is going down in...and how this could become a remodel easily :P
Today after work we are going to start laying the laminate.
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
Looks real good, Tam. I had to edit your post though. Those pictures will sooner or later disappear from Photobucket. They always do. Please use our upload feature (http://www.thefloorpro.com/community...-in-posts.html) to guarantee that users for a very long time to come will be able to see your pics - and see what a nice DIY job looks like.
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
Thanks guys. If we were to do it again, we would have made the first plank in line with the fireplace shorter, and notched the one in front of the fireplace on both ends. I think it would have looked a bit nicer. but overall, Im happy with the install so far.
BTW, The blue on the walls isnt photographing very well...those pictures make it look almost purple! Its more of a steel country blue. weird.
The fun continues tonight!
Thanks for posting the pictures through the website Photobucket does indeed suck!
Re: First Time Laminate install...not sure where to start
A few more pictures.
Please excuse my head and the messy house. Im amazed how much my house had been turned upside down by this!
Im pretty happy with the install. When we rounded the island, we were actually praying that the pieces would fit when we connected to the flooring on the other side. We were AMAZED that they did!
The area taped off in the family room is for the area rug. We are having a piece of carpet bound and finished with a pad It was very reasonably priced, just under $300.
