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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> What laminate floor? Advice for newbie. https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1081786354 Message started by satman68 on Apr 12^th, 2004, 5:12pm

Title: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 12^th, 2004, 5:12pm

I am about to fit a laminate or wooden floor to my hallway below are a few questions hopefully someone can help me with.

1 Which is better 'click' or T&G or any other method.
2 Which type are more hardwaring?
3 I am placing it in the hall, I gather I start in the top left and work down.
4. Do I need to take one length of skirting board off ie on the last wall the wood flooring finishes at.
5. I also gather I need to cut a section out of the skirting boards and architrave. I don't have the budget to get expensive tools though, what can I use?
6. Can I for ease, lay the floor UPTO the skirting board and leave a small expansion gap and cover this with quadrant. This will not look as good though.
Anyones help would be appreciated.
Cheers

;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 12^th, 2004, 5:27pm

Hi Satman68 and welcome to the site ;)

A1
With T&G you have to glue it and it will take longer to do the job. �It is a cheaper option and i would advise going for a click version. �If you have to take the floor up for any reason it is a lot easier. �You can get a mid range version which is a click but once it's clicked you should not pull it back open. �I have found this to be a bit of a pain when your cutting the boards to fit certain areas because you really need to cut it right first time. �If you can afford it go for the one which you can click apart if you need to.

A2
Again you find the more expensive versions more hard wearing. �It should say what it is suitable for and a guarantee should come with the product. �Make sure you follow the guidlines so the guarantee is viable.

A3
Yes, with it being a hall way i would run it down the hall and not across because it wont look right. �Start where you have the straightest run and get the first couple of runs down first.

A4
You only have to take 1 length of skirting off when you are leaving all the skirtings on and cutting the skirtings with say a buscuit jointer, to slide the lam under it. �You then need to take the one length off to put the last board down.

A5
Yes you will have to cut the bottom of the arch's etc. �Just a cheap saw with no back plate will do fine. �Screwfix sell one which will do the job ok

A6
Yes, again this is an easier option. �Make sure you leave a good expansion gap and get quite a large quadrant type beading so you can leave a good gap. �This is then fixed to the skirting boards and not the floor which allows the floor to move.

Think ive covered everything ;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 12^th, 2004, 6:20pm

Thanks very much Coggy. I don't have a biscuit jointer. What else can I use?

Cheers

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 12^th, 2004, 6:25pm

mmmm i cant think of anything else that would cut the bottom of the skirting boards whilst there on.

The only other options is to use the cover beading
or
Take all the skirtings off and lay the floor and put new skirtings back on. If the skirtings are painted then s/wood skirting is really cheap.

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 12^th, 2004, 7:46pm

iheelllooo again satman 68

if you do decide to remove the skirting
when youve cut the new skirting to size
paint before you put it down and fix with
no nails this wiil leave your nice floor safe
and paint free

quadrent painted skirting coulour i still
think is your best option[s/ f reply]

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 12^th, 2004, 8:19pm

Yes i have to agree with Big All there

Quadrant painted skirting colour is a good option ;)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by Evs on Apr 12^th, 2004, 8:26pm

If you intend to buy the colour coded scotia/beading made by the flooring manufacturer it may be cheaper to replace the skirting, and you'll get a better job at the end. Although I too agree that the Easiestoption is to use the scotia method. The choice, as they say, is yours

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 12^th, 2004, 10:24pm

the trouble with the correct beading is it comes in relativly short lengths an costs a bomb about �1.50
a mtr where as quadrant is less than half that and
comes in much longer lenths especialy at wood yards

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 13^th, 2004, 12:59am

me again
if you do consider the cheeper option [please dont]
you have to glue together three runs and wait to dry
[three widths full length]
now if your slightly out it becums a nightmare
a slight gap gets magnified at each subsiquent joint

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 9:29am

Thanks again m8s. I think I will go for the 'removing the skirting board' method as it seems that will provide me with the best finish. I know how it will be, I will go the beading method, finish everything and then look back and wish I had taken the skirting boards off!! It might take longer but the finish will be better.

Satman68

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 16^th, 2004, 11:07am

heelllooo sat man 68

just make shure the gaps are a at least 4 �mm less
than the skirting if your skirting is unusualy thin
you may have to cut off the tounge or groove
off the first run against the wall
[you dont want a black line showing] >:(

good clicking :D :D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 12:00pm

Thanks Big_All for that tip.

;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 4:30pm

Just as a final thought. �What tools do I need for the job?

Ta

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 16^th, 2004, 5:55pm

are you bying th instilation kit or not

fret saw jig saw optional [but speeds things updramaticly]right angle could be hand saw[combination sqaure would be better] mitre saw or box for skirting
no nails or whatever you want to fix skirting with
work mate or something simmilar to lean on

click type no glue required
other sort glue

spade bit for plumbing holes ect

any thing ive forgoten i or someone wi add

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 16^th, 2004, 11:49pm

Thank for the help.

Cheers

Satman68

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by satman68 on Apr 17^th, 2004, 7:42pm

Ok I have visied B&* where they have the 'loc' system from 'floormaster' is this ok? It says it is reusable, probably meaning you can 'click' and 'unclick' the floor sections.

Can anyone advise?

Cheers

Satman68

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 17^th, 2004, 6:49pm

yep thats the sort of stuff

if it gets alot of wear try and aim for the 10yr stuff

if its low to medium use youll probably be ok with5yr

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by Big Al on Apr 20^th, 2004, 7:20pm

Try to get a hold of the pipe covers for around the heating pipes in the floor, finishes it of a treat. 8)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:48pm

for lam flooring do not use a jig saw if you dont have to!as this does not do a good job also as a little trick place some underlay and a cutting of lam and butt against door facing and stop and run saw over it to cut to the exact width of flooring and that will save you cutting round akward shapes. also if you start flooring with the tougue(the pointy out bit) towards the wall and it is easier to fit the last piece hope this is some help!!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:52pm

oh i almost forgot!!!. when cutting round pipes measure for the hole and drill it then cut the board across the width and you will get a perfect seam and a neat hole!!!. ive done this on load of jobs and its never failed!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Apr 28^th, 2004, 10:47pm

helllooo jim the joiner
and big al

i needent tell you how confusing it is for ??? ??? ???
me to see my logo and name [nearly]
in such variations[my two brain cells :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[

are in complete over load] :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

[glb]keep up the good work people ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D[/glb]

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by HandyMac on Apr 28^th, 2004, 10:51pm

wrote on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:52pm:

You lost me with that explanation I'm afraid! I was okay up until the bit of "drill it", but cutting across the width confused me. I thought you always tended to cut laminate flooring to length across the width?

Andrew

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 28^th, 2004, 11:23pm

I think he means if the pipe is say for example 100 mm from the edge of the board. Mark where the pipe is on the board and drill a hole (Bit bigger for expansion of course) ;) and then cut from the hole to the outside of the board twice, from either side of the hole and then it will slide in where the pipe is.

I think thats what he meant, correct me if im wrong.

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by Dewy on Apr 29^th, 2004, 12:20am

Yep. That's the way I took it too.

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 7:51pm

what i meant was if you drill your hole in the correct position. then draw a line square across the board and centre of the hole and cut you end up with two halfs which fit together perfect and you have a hole without big cuts off the edge of the board.the joint is so neat you would not notice it any differently from the others machined joints on the boards. does that make it a bit clearer!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 30^th, 2004, 8:40pm

I think i get you.
If ive unserstood you right, wont there be no t&g on that joint then where you have cut across the board and if it was walked on would dip ???

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 9:00pm

not really as the skirting and the t+g on the other side holds it in place and also it is close to the wall so it wont be stood on that much trust me!!!!! ;D ;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by WJOHNM on Apr 30^th, 2004, 9:11pm

i would start with one t&g in the center on one pipe as jimthejoiner would,then for the otherside drill the hole,then mark 45 degrees from hole back to wall twice.giving a triangle piece that will glue in tight (no saw drafts).
does this make sense!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 9:20pm

that is one way but it is not the nicest finish as the triangle piece never looks right and always comes loose :)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by HippieChippie on Apr 30^th, 2004, 10:55pm

Hey guys
done a lam floors before which was simple 1 door, square room no probs. Now gotta a room to do, room has 4 doors (2 on each opposite wall) - whats easiest direction to run floor ie lengths run into door or at right angles to door - I've got the choice. What do you reckon??

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:01pm

is there any windows in the room??

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:04pm

I would run them at right angles to the doors. You just cut the boards off in length up to the threshold this way, the other way you are having to cut the boards down the length when you come to the final run which is a bit more tricky

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by woodsmith on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:09pm

I would do as coggy suggests and run the boards at 90 degrees to the doors, otherwise you could end up with a very thin board at your threshold.

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by splinter on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:22pm

wouldnt you lay the floor ing length wise along the length of the floor ( opposed to width of floor) irelevant of the doors? :)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by woodsmith on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:26pm

I had the mental image of a squarish room with 2 doors on each facing wall.

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:26pm

windows are a big factor here as the flooring needs too run along so the joints dont flash up!!!!! regardless of doors

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:26pm

Well the guy says he has a choice so why chose the harder way.

Unless its a hallway i dont see it would make much difference really.

Just my opinion of course ;)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by coggy on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:31pm

Good point Jim about the window. ;)

Yes i had a picture of a square room as well ::)

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:37pm

i was always taught to go square from the window or the longest wall if there are two windows!and that avoids seeing every joint flashing up!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by Dewy on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:51pm

Same here Jim, anything parallel to the light source (window) will throw shadows making a slight error look carp. In a hallway the boards should run square to the door which leads the view in making the hall look longer & inviting.
Now you know how to put off door to door salesmen.
Lay the floor sideways to make it seem smaller & not worth their bother. ;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by jimthejoiner on Apr 30^th, 2004, 11:54pm

i had two jahovas at the house once and i got my dressing gown on and faked a illness and they tried to come in and comfort me.............................doh!!!. the lam flooring was out the picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by HippieChippie on May 1^st, 2004, 10:15am

Hi guys

thanks for the advice - yeh its a square room near enough - doors on opp walls - window along another wall - with all those doors thought it would be easier to run floor 90 deg to doors, hadnt considered light source.
Still might do it that way cos i think it will be a bugger laying parallel to doors, cutting boards down so as floor can go into doorway on both sides of room also its not the brightest of rooms

cheers

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by greg on Jun 23^rd, 2004, 10:10pm

whats the easiest way to lay the clik loc type flooring under architraves since you need to put the board in at an angle to teh last one unlike the T&G which can go in flat - hope that makes sense

cheers

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by big_all on Jun 25^th, 2004, 12:20am

make a joint in the doorway if required
slide under one side
mark and cut slide under other side click together
most clicks will stillwork flat just need more
gentle carressing with a block and or hook
and hammer ;D ;D

Title: Re: What laminate floor? Advice for newbie.
Post by HandyJon on Jul 1^st, 2004, 12:24pm

HippeChippie, if you do want to follow the light source then measure the room carefully and see if you will end up with a narrow piece on the final run. If it looks like you will, make the first run narrower by sawing along the length.

Greg, when I do under architraves where the last row is against the door (and I try and start with a door usually) then I will click the board in at the side of the door, and then slowly and carefully hammer it so that the whole board slides along till it's in place under the door. Don't forget to use an offcut to stop you damaging the piece when hammering. Then I fit the rest of the row.