Diy: Installing laminate floor

[99PONTIACGP]

Few questions for the diy guys.

So I bought the flooring that snaps together. It was $16 a box and covers 24 Sq ft. Putting this floor on my enclosed porch. Only needed 3 boxes.

So. The main question is, so everything isn't unison, do I cut half the box in half when I'm starting so the lines seams don't line up?

I also bought the underlayment. Do I just duct tape that down?

Do I need to stick anything under the floor so it doesn't slide?

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[Dasfinc]

You can cut the whole box in half if you want to, but I just did mine one at a time as needed.

I think I bought a special tape to hold down my underlayment, don't recall what it was honestly.... But I don't see why Ducttape wouldn't work.

Don't need to stick anything under the floor so it doesn't slide, but you will want to pull any/all lower wall trim off so you can kinda 'lock the floor down' when you reinstall it.

If you don't already have it, you are going to want/need the Laminate flooring kit (Its like $15, comes with a couple of more speciality tools and shims), and a good mallet.

 

[99PONTIACGP]

I was just curious whether to cut the planks in half or stagger them maybe different lengths.

I may grab the kit for convenience. What's in it? Shims and a mallet?

 

[Dasfinc]

I did mine in 1/3rd and 2/3rd segments and staggered it.

The kit I got had Shims, a mallet, and a weird flat pry bar thing that helped massively in 'snapping' it all together. Still had to Google a video on how to use it all.

 

[Runtz52]

I wouldn't cut the whole box in half, just start snapping together and when you get to the last piece cut that to the length needed, then the left over piece is the start of the next row.

 

[1MEANGT]

Just do one row at a time. The last piece in that row will probably need to be cut. Then start the next row with the piece you cut off. Usually works out well.

 

[Gav'sPurpleZ]

when are you doing this work mike ?

i can get some install tips from my brother.

 

[99PONTIACGP]

I wouldn't cut the whole box in half, just start snapping together and when you get to the last piece cut that to the length needed, then the left over piece is the start of the next row.

Just do one row at a time. The last piece in that row will probably need to be cut. Then start the next row with the piece you cut off. Usually works out well.

Thanks! Just read that online and like that idea.

when are you doing this work mike ?

i can get some install tips from my brother.

Tomorrow.

 

[SinisterSHO]

No need to tape the underpayment down, just the seams. Flooring just goes on top of that. Its a floating floor, which is why you need to leave the gap around the perimeter.

 

[Dasfinc]

No need to tape the underpayment down, just the seams. Flooring just goes on top of that. Its a floating floor, which is why you need to leave the gap around the perimeter.

That's what I did, I remember now!

I had bought a special moisture resistant tape to tape the underlayment seams

 

[SinisterSHO]

You really only need to tape the whole seam if you're putting it over concrete. If it's going over a wood subfloor, you only really need to tape the seams in spots to hold it together.

 

[Dasfinc]

You really only need to tape the whole seam if you're putting it over concrete. If it's going over a wood subfloor, you only really need to tape the seams in spots to hold it together.

I was doing concrete

 

[99PONTIACGP]

It'll be going over existing vinyl

 

[TommyGloves]

Make sure to check that the floor doesn't have any drastic dips or peaks. That will cause problems with the seams. You can use 30lb roofing felt paper to fill in dips to get it to level out. Put the overlayment on top of that.

 

[99PONTIACGP]

It'll be going over existing vinyl

After. Still need to work on the Windows but love the outcome.

Ended up being 2 planks short and had to buy a new box.

Looks like an ice cream parlor or dance studio