Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Few questions regarding laminate
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Gouie
04-07-06, 09:09 AM
Hi guys,
I'm just beginning the installation of my laminate floor (well, will be this weekend) and had a couple of questions.
The floor is being installed in 2 rooms and a landing area. I was hoping to simply carry the floor throughout the entire area but I think it will look odd with the angle of the walls. So, I'll be seperating each room with an expansion joint. My question is how much of a gap do I leave between the boards to create my expansion joint?
The bathroom will transition from an existing granite to the laminate. Again, how much of a gap do I leave between the laminate and the existing granite?
And my final questions are in regards to the underlay. What is the best method to attach to the plywood sub floor, just staples? How much of an overlap should be provided between runs of overlay? I've heard 6 inches but want to be sure. I think I'll just use packaging tape to seal the strips of underlay?
Sorry for the barrage of questions. Thanks for the input!
I'm just beginning the installation of my laminate floor (well, will be this weekend) and had a couple of questions.
The floor is being installed in 2 rooms and a landing area. I was hoping to simply carry the floor throughout the entire area but I think it will look odd with the angle of the walls. So, I'll be seperating each room with an expansion joint. My question is how much of a gap do I leave between the boards to create my expansion joint?
The bathroom will transition from an existing granite to the laminate. Again, how much of a gap do I leave between the laminate and the existing granite?
And my final questions are in regards to the underlay. What is the best method to attach to the plywood sub floor, just staples? How much of an overlap should be provided between runs of overlay? I've heard 6 inches but want to be sure. I think I'll just use packaging tape to seal the strips of underlay?
Sorry for the barrage of questions. Thanks for the input!
theskibum
04-08-06, 05:48 AM
There is usually a linear relationship of a certain gap to leave for a specific run of joined flooring. This probably varies across manufacturers but should be listed in any documentation included in the packaging. I've installed Quick-Step flooring a few times and that stuff says it can expand 2mm per 1m of flooring so the suggested gap is about 8-10mm in general (~3/8"). So I imagine if you are joining two rooms you'd want to double that since they will expand towards the middle. As far as the over lap of the underlayment, I did not overlap mine at all. I butted it up to each other and taped the seam cause I didn't want any high spots. I shot some 1/4" staples near the edges just to keep it from rolling up on me. You just need to hold it in place while you lay floor, since the floor will be plenty to hold it down once in place. Remember the first couple rows are the slow irritating ones, but then it gets much faster. Good luck and have fun! :gmorning: