Laminate wood flooring

[darbytee]

I just pulled the trigger on 650 square feet of wood flooring to redo my basement. I know how install it but I haven't ever done it before. Does anyone have any tricks of the trade or pitfalls to watch out for? BTW, it's quick-loc flooring going on a concrete basement floor.

 

[wdcav1952]

Fred,

I would imagine you know, but definitely put down a moisture barrier. Also remember that it floats to some extent so the spacers around the edges are important to allow for expansion and contraction. Remember to think before you make a cut or my wife will yell at you. []

Most important of all, consult with Fangar as he did an awesome job on the project that he did!

 

[Fangar]

Originally posted by darbytee
<br />I just pulled the trigger on 650 square feet of wood flooring to redo my basement. I know how install it but I haven't ever done it before. Does anyone have any tricks of the trade or pitfalls to watch out for? BTW, it's quick-loc flooring going on a concrete basement floor.

I did about 500 sqft a while back. It is pretty easy to work with. It really depends on the brand, but mine was a bear to cut. I used the Dupont real touch (Home Depot Brand). I went through two table saw blades and one bandsaw blade cutting it. It contains metal fibers (I can't think of the word right now). The stuff actually sparked when you cut it!

Layout is key. Measure, measure, measure. My boards were wider at 11 7/16" width. It was harder to lock them in place at that width, but it went faster than other floors I have done.

Lastly, since you are going over a concrete base, you will need a vapor barrier. I went over the top of my existing linoleoum, with an additional plastic vapor barrier on top of that. Then the insulation foam (For quiteness and comfort)... Mine was preattached to the bottoms of the boards.

1/4" gap around all perimieter and appliances is a good rule of thumb. That allows for expansionw without buckling. It is great stuff...

Fangar

 

[Fangar]

Here is a thread that I started when I did it:

http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16039&SearchTerms=walnut

Fangar

 

[darbytee]

Thanks Fangar, looking at the link I remember now when you posted it. I do have the vapor barrier and the underlayment. I bought the Tarkett brand (also at HD). I also HAD to order a new miter saw to help with the crosscuts[}][}] and I picked up a Freud 80t laminate blade. I'll take some before and after pictures. Hopefully they will look somewhat different.[]

 

[skiprat]

Hi Fred, I also laid tons of the stuff in my house.
My best tips are;
1. Knee Pads
2. Start from the most complex wall
3. Knee Pads
4. one of these,

<br />

5. Did I mention knee pads

and of course the one that everyone claims to do, but always ignores,
6. Measure twice, check which end you are going to cut twice,cut once

Have fun

 

[DocStram]

Everything that everyone has said so far. I put down a ton of it. It really helps to have three people involved ... one to measure and lay it, a second person at the saw to just cut, and a third to walk back and forth from the "cutter" to the "layer".
By the way, Cav and I must have the same wifey.