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Putting down laminate floor

G

Garet Jax

Diamond Member
Hello all,

I am putting down a laminate floor in my basement. I have done quite a bit of research online and in books for installation techniques. Wondering if anyone had practical tips they learned when doing it themselves to make the job easier and faster.

Thanks.
 
Is it just the bigass roll or stuff or are you getting pieces that go down and you just match them up or what?
 
i found that a scrap of the flooring with the tabs works better than the tool (connect scrap piece like it is supposed to hammer the ****** outta it unclip scrap put in next piece)
 
Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Is it just the bigass roll or stuff or are you getting pieces that go down and you just match them up or what?
Click to expand...

Using the tongue and groove boards.
 
Originally posted by: captains
i found that a scrap of the flooring with the tabs works better than the tool (connect scrap piece like it is supposed to hammer the ****** outta it unclip scrap put in next piece)
Click to expand...

😕
 
Laminate flooring is a lot like sex with someone.

Do it right the first time and you can walk all over them for years.
😛
 
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Originally posted by: captains
i found that a scrap of the flooring with the tabs works better than the tool (connect scrap piece like it is supposed to hammer the ****** outta it unclip scrap put in next piece)
Click to expand...

😕
Click to expand...

tongue and grove... when putting in certain pieces i had to hammer them in
i had a scrap piece i cut from one being to long or what ever
i would connect it to the floor hit the scrap piece then undo the piece and connect the next piece of flooring
 
Originally posted by: captains
i'm on a slab so i put down plastic then the padded moisture barrier then the floor
Click to expand...

My padding is on the underside of my planks so I only put down the moisture barrier.
 
Originally posted by: captains
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Originally posted by: captains
i found that a scrap of the flooring with the tabs works better than the tool (connect scrap piece like it is supposed to hammer the ****** outta it unclip scrap put in next piece)
Click to expand...

😕
Click to expand...

tongue and grove... when putting in certain pieces i had to hammer them in
i had a scrap piece i cut from one being to long or what ever
i would connect it to the floor hit the scrap piece then undo the piece and connect the next piece of flooring
Click to expand...

Understand now.

I am using a tap bar (and my middle finger) for this.
 
Originally posted by: captains
definitly use a carbonite blade as they recommend that stuff is really hard to cut with out it
Click to expand...

I am using a special blade for my saws but it is not carbonite tipped. I read that this is only really required for full blown commercial use.
 
If you dont anchor the ends by drilling a small hole and put a nail in it. Otherwise the boards will move around.
 
Originally posted by: Mucho
If you dont anchor the ends by drilling a small hole and put a nail in it. Otherwise the boards will move around.
Click to expand...

laminate flooring is called a "floating floor" it supposed to move... not all over the place but to allow for expansion and shrinking... the trim holds it down and once u get a couple of rows started the floor aint goin anywhere
 
Originally posted by: Mucho
If you dont anchor the ends by drilling a small hole and put a nail in it. Otherwise the boards will move around.
Click to expand...

I thought the floor was supposed to move to allow for expansions and contractions. Won't drilling the holes prevent this?
 
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Most laminate floors are not rated for below grade. What are you using?
Click to expand...

This is contrary to all of my research. I thought hard wood wasn't good below grade.

I am using Sequoia
Click to expand...

Hardwood is definately not recommended below grade. Just do a moisture test to ensure you are ok.
 
Originally posted by: captains
using the tap bar chipped some of my flooring... also i taped my cuts so it wouldnt splinter
Click to expand...

I guess I've been lucky so far with the tap bar (except for when I hit my finger).
 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Most laminate floors are not rated for below grade. What are you using?
Click to expand...

This is contrary to all of my research. I thought hard wood wasn't good below grade.

I am using Sequoia
Click to expand...

Hardwood is definately not recommended below grade. Just do a moisture test to ensure you are ok.
Click to expand...

Moisture test was a success. I had carpet down there before and had no darkening or mold problems. I did the moisture test anyway just to be sure
 
Originally posted by: captains
using the tap bar chipped some of my flooring... also i taped my cuts so it wouldnt splinter
Click to expand...

I had the same issue. I ended up making my own tapping bar.
 
also made carboard cut outs for when i hand to go around door jams and what not and then trasfered it on to the wood so i only had to make one cut
 
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