Laminate Flooring Suggestions.....Please

scott_vt · Feb 6, 2009

Good Mornin Guys,
OK, Im going to Lowes this mornin to pick up my flooring. We decided on an Glendale Oak by Pergo. I brought a sample home a couple of days ago and Kathleen liked it, and it has the foam backing on it allready !

I would like to start in the walkin closet off of our master bedroom. The clsoet is 6' x 8'. The 8' dimension is the depth of the closet, so I would like to run the flooring width wise, but when I get to putting the flooring in the bedroom I am planning on running the opposite way. Maybe just install a saddle between the closet and the main bedroom. Will this be permissible in your opinion ?

Thanks.

George2615 · Feb 6, 2009

If the walkin closet has a door you can close then running the laminate the other way won't show. They have transition pieces you can cut to fit the doorway.

When I pulled up my old carpet and padding I found that my sub floor was OSB or what I call chipboard or particle board and it had been installed incorrectly (running with the joists instead of across them) since new and was sagging between the joists. I did put down a new subfloor of 1/2" plywood but had no choice. I had already purchased the laminate and didn't know the subfloor was bad until I started tearing up the carpet so I had to go over budget with the plywood.

ray66v · Feb 7, 2009

scott_vt said:
Good Mornin Guys,

I would like to start in the walkin closet off of our master bedroom. The clsoet is 6' x 8'. The 8' dimension is the depth of the closet, so I would like to run the flooring width wise, but when I get to putting the flooring in the bedroom I am planning on running the opposite way. Maybe just install a saddle between the closet and the main bedroom. Will this be permissible in your opinion ?

Thanks.

I am not sure I would run it in two directions. But, you could certainly do so.

Most of the time you do use a transition mldg. and break the floor into a separate section, when you go through a doorway. Although for a small closet, (not a walk in), I would not use one.

Don't forget to give the floor some time to acclimate in the room before you start your installation. Open the packages enough to let the air in and let them sit. Usually they suggest a couple days, check the instructions.

scott_vt · Feb 7, 2009

Good Mornin George and Ray,
Thanks for your replies ! Actually my wife has decided that the flooring will run the same way, so thats the end of my idea !

I guess its probablly best that way, the flooring will run the length of the room. I put down a few boards in the closet to see how it would look, very nice actually. I made up some 1/4" spacers out of pine to keep it away from the wall. Ray I used your advice and used a piece of scrap to undercut one of the door moldings allready, that worked out well !

Im up at my Vt home this weekend so the flooring is just sitting in the house getting acclimated, and will get back into the project next week !

Thanks again, I will update next week !

scott_vt · Feb 10, 2009

Good Evenin Guys,
OK certainly not to appear stupid or worse even dumb

! But worked my way out from the back of the closet and am now about 10" from the inside wall by the closet door. The laminate flooring is about 8" so that means Im about 2" shy of that wall. If I cut the 2" strip to get me were Im going, then I have cut off the female groove ! What am I missing here ?

Just a bit embarrased, because I do build custom furniture on occassion !

BTW there are no directions with this stuff, unless I missed them somewhere !

ray66v · Feb 10, 2009

Your either cutting off the tongue or the grove, either way if it's against the wall, it doesn't matter. You don't need it.....??????

scott_vt · Feb 10, 2009

ray66v said:
Your either cutting off the tongue or the grove, either way if it's against the wall, it doesn't matter. You don't need it.....??????

Good Evenin Ray,
Correct, but when I put the next piece of flooring in that will go underneath the door, there wont be any groove, is that OK ?

BTW, I have my FD drill tonite so I will check in later, thanks !

ray66v · Feb 10, 2009

You don't cut the grove off that end, just the part against the wall.

You notch it out for the wall.

Capiche pison?

scott_vt · Feb 10, 2009

ray66v said:
You don't cut the grove off that end, just the part against the wall.

You notch it out for the wall.

Capiche pison?

OK Ray,
I see what your sayin, btw Im usin the FD computer now !

But I can still see a potential problem when I get on the other side of the wall out in the bedroom, Im sure I will get it eventually !

George2615 · Feb 10, 2009

Scotty,
Before you get too far and not that you didn't read the installation instructions but make sure you stagger the flooring sheets when you assemble them. I didn't see any mention of that in these posts. If you don't you will see the joints. they will stick out like a sore thumb. (don't ask me how I know) Install like this pic. As you can see I had to cut about a 2" strip for the right side wall.