Laminate Flooring Suggestions.....Please

[ray66v]

You should be able to reverse the direction of the tongues if you want, though I am not sure if it will matter.

Yes a hallway is generally where you will put a saddle and break off from the room.

If the hall is narrow enough to do without any butt ends, and you want to eliminate the stagger, you of course can.

You can also switch to a more simple alternating pattern like:
1st row, seam on left
2nd row, no seam
3rd row, seam on right
4th row, no seam
repeat

Keeping them, uniform, and even, will be more important here as the walls will indicate any deviations. Don't assume the walls are straight and square. Use a laser, or chalk line down the middle, and measure off of that to the sides, for your seams.

 

[ray66v]

With some basic tools, and perhaps a little advice, anyone can install one of theses floors

I have helped several people get started, who never did anything like this before, and they did great.

Sore backs, and knees are common.

No pain, no gain.

 

[George2615]

Scotty,
I agree with the aches and pains. (we are about the same age). I went to Harbor Freight and bought a set of cheap knee pads which helped on the knees (I should have mentioned it earlier) but they don't do much for the lower back. I used a lower back support to ease the stress there. Fortunately for me I had help from my son at one house and a friend at my other house. I stayed on my knees most of the time installing, marked the boards that needed cutting and passed the boards to them to cut for me. Ray answered your other questions.

 

[scott_vt]

Sore backs, and knees are common.

No pain, no gain.

Good Afternoon Ray,
Im not sure what I gained , oh yeah thats right my new floor !

Scotty,
I agree with the aches and pains. (we are about the same age). I went to Harbor Freight and bought a set of cheap knee pads which helped on the knees (I should have mentioned it earlier) but they don't do much for the lower back. I used a lower back support to ease the stress there. Fortunately for me I had help from my son at one house and a friend at my other house. I stayed on my knees most of the time installing, marked the boards that needed cutting and passed the boards to them to cut for me. Ray answered your other questions.

Good Afternoon George,
Yes thanks, I did look for my knee pads and couldnt find them ! It would have been nice if one of my boys offered some help, but it didnt happen this time. Yep the constant up and down and going down the stairs to do all the cuts was a pain, the good news is that I slept quite well last night !

 

[ray66v]

Good Afternoon Ray,
Im not sure what I gained , oh yeah that's right my new floor!

$3+ per. sq. ft. to install, plus: trim work, undercutting door jambs, and casings. It adds up fast $$$.

It is better if you can stay down, and have a helper cut, and pass them to you.

I don't mind doing these by myself so much, because you have to move a lot anyway. Doing paving bricks, now there is where I really want a helper.