flooring

[teamorion22]

As some of u know I have to replace about 500sq ft of laminate wood flooring. One person that came out to give me as estimate suggested the laminate that glues directly to the floor. What I am replacing is the non glue. Do any of u have the non glue or glue and what to u think or recommend for me? Pros and cons?
thanks
michael

 

[twotonevert]

The laminate flooring I am used to is a "floating system". Meaning, it does not glue or nail down. Unless you are getting real wood, it has a base and then is nailed or glued down, it should be a floating floor. This also means that the floor moves around, just a little, but it does move. This type of floor also has a vapor barrier that goes underneath it and there are typically two types, plain foam or a sound deadening that will prevent it from sounding hollow when you walk on it. It has to move so that the seams do not buckle or bind, thus making them visible and causing damage. The only flooring experts on the board that I know of is Busasweety, Ben and Georgia have a flooring business.

 

[Mr Bogus]

when I did mine, I also put down the premium underlayment pad... I have NO idea if it did a bit of good as I do not have a reference to a floor without it.. James??

 

[twotonevert]

when I did mine, I also put down the premium underlayment pad... I have NO idea if it did a bit of good as I do not have a reference to a floor without it.. James??

The premium pad will give you a better "sound". It will not sound like you are walking on a wood plank that sounds hollow. You can go either way, its mainly a preference.

 

[ibified]

when i did mine in our new house, i put down laminate that just floats. i wouldnt go for a glue down floor because wood expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes. Just do the kind that locks together and use a good underlayment with it. It really isnt that hard to do yourself, and you would save a lot of money in doing so. PM me if you need any advice on it.

 

[DEMMYM]

I laid 800 sq ft through my living room and Dining room, Floating floors are great, Easy to install and look great as well as very durable. You do want the barrier under the flooring, I used the premium has a nice foam pad as well as a water barrier attached, I also placed Tar paper on the concrete before installing to help with any noise. Looks Great. Just make sure to leave a 1/4 space away from the wall. as the temps change the laminate will expand and retract, The last thing you want is to install this righ up against the wall and then have it expand in the hot summer, The flooring will buckle. Just leave the 1/4 gap away from the walls and all will be fine, If your having someone install it for you make sure they do this.

 

[teamorion22]

great advice so far. thank u so much. state farm wants 2 use a big company like carpet one to do the job. and since the inspector is paying my deductible i will just give that money to carpet one and break even with a brand new laminate with my choice of floor and pad. OR i could hire someone else and make a lil compensation for missing work and inconvenience. OR do it myself and make more.

I don't know what to do

 

[Hayabusa2005]

I would use the floating with pad. In the future, the glue laminate will be harder to remove (and more costly).

 

[dadofthree]

I've had a floating floor for about ten years. No complaints.

 

[teamorion22]

i think i am going to go with this engineered wood that glues directly to my concrete subfloor. it's supposed to be great and up my resale. pros of real wood floors without the cons. i am still doing my research. i am gladly taking advice and opinions
thanks
michael

 

[Strife]

When you go with a wood floor that is glued down, you really have to watch the climate inside your house. Like stated before wood does expand. If it get to hot or to cold you run risk of the floor separating from the ground underneath it. Is reason you have expansion joints around the room. often covered up by 1/4round or the baseboard itself. Humidity is a factor also on glued floors being damaged. A meter should be used on your floor before any work is done. Whatever brand flooring you use will have the humidity tolerances that are acceptable.

With the types of floating flooring available today,I'm sure you can find something that you will be happy with.

 

[shadetree57]

We have the real hardwood floors in most of our house which we installed ourself. Two rooms have the laminent. Honestly, I like the laminent better. I believe it's more durable. Do the laminent yourself and save the money. Like everyone said, it's not hard. Oh, get a good sawblade, that stuff is tough.

 

[ibified]

+1 on that. use a 160 tooth blade so that your cuts are nice and smooth, and cut slowly. You don't have to invest in super expensive tools to do the job right, either. you need a circular saw, a carpenters square, a pencil, a tape measure, and a laminate install kit that consists of a puller bar and a tapping block. Oh, and a hammer. its EASY.

It just takes a little bit of time.

 

[over200]

When you go with a wood floor that is glued down, you really have to watch the climate inside your house. Like stated before wood does expand. If it get to hot or to cold you run risk of the floor separating from the ground underneath it. Is reason you have expansion joints around the room. often covered up by 1/4round or the baseboard itself. Humidity is a factor also on glued floors being damaged. A meter should be used on your floor before any work is done. Whatever brand flooring you use will have the humidity tolerances that are acceptable.

With the types of floating flooring available today,I'm sure you can find something that you will be happy with.

+1 Spoken like a true professional!...Moisture content in your slab is key!..Just because you visually can't see moisture means nothing!..Needs to be checked with the meter and I would check on a very dry day and also on the day after a rainy day to be safe before opting for the glue down route...Personally the con I don't like about laminate is the Hollow sound you always have to hear when walking across the floor..just sounds like cheap garbage.

Just my .02

H

 

[Strife]

There is little tricks to installing both types of floors. I would suggest watching a Video or even reading a How to book before doing it. don't get me wrong it's not rocket science,but there are couple things here and there that might throw a beginner for a loop. Like dealing with door jams. Optimal place to start on in the room,etc...

You can rent a table saw(Home Depot/Lowes). Buy a cheap install kit(you get what you paid for) for Laminate. Better tapping block does make it easier though. Regular Walmart special Pry bar. And yes a hammer! Good pencil or marker. Razor knife. etc...

 

[Mr Bogus]

I did my own.. and if I can do it.... (100 tooth 12" saw)

What I figured out is remove all base board moldings and the door jam moldings.. saved all the stupid trim cutting but I had to shave like 3/8" off the bottoms to clear the new floor level..

 

[Projekt]

We have laminate flooring throughout our apartment. I was pleasantly surprised with the fit and finish not to mention the durability. I paid a guy to install it since he was the one who did most of the renovation work in my place. The foam sheet underneath really cuts down the noise.
Had I known about it when I had my house in Virginia I would have installed it instead of the red oak hardwood I went with.

 

[ibified]

The other thing to consider is pets. Laminate is a LOT harder than regular wood, and thus wont get scratched up by cat/dog claws as easily.

 

[ThunderJohn]

i think i am going to go with this engineered wood that glues directly to my concrete subfloor. it's supposed to be great and up my resale. pros of real wood floors without the cons. i am still doing my research. i am gladly taking advice and opinions
thanks
michael

Really no one cares about what you actually used unless it is real wood floors. floating floors are just as good and most people could care less because they look great. Also do it yourself. I am telling you from getting some quotes thinking of having it done. Then actually shopping around and finding a good price and putting it in myself saving a TON of money.

Money that can be put towards mods.