Has anyone ever installed laminate flooring?

[mruffruff]

I'm having one room done professionally next Tuesday. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing the rest of the house (3 rooms and a hall) by myself. I'm pretty handy, but I could use some hints. Like where to start--middle of the room or on one end? Any other help would be appreciated.

Mary

[christa]

Me & hubby did our office. We got a video that taught us how and we also went to a class at Lowe's.

I know that you always start on the longest wall!!! Definitely don't start in the middle! It's not as easy as it looks, but it was our first time. I think we'd do better if we ever did it again.

[Miss Z]

We've just had it put down in the hallway. It looks really nice but we had a bit of trouble putting it down, the joiner didn't quite lay the underlay down properly, so it was bumpy and we had to take it all up again! But it's fine now. It's not cold to walk on like I thought it would be

[Logan]

My husband has done our den and our hallway and I believe he started on one side and worked over, instead of starting in the middle. I will ask him tonight, just to make sure. We bought our laminate flooring at Sam's Club and it was the "floating" laminate that already had the padding attached to it. That last section, next to the wall, is the hardest, if I remember correctly.

Good luck! You will love it!!!

[Lady's Human]

Logan,

Thinking of buying the laminate Sam's carries, how is it? Standing up to furkids okay?

[christa]

That last section, next to the wall, is the hardest, if I remember correctly.

YES!!! If you can, work it out so your last section doesn't have any doorways! Our last section had 2 doorways and it was a pain in the arse.

[mruffruff]

The laminate I got is Pergo with the 30 year warranty, underlayment attached ($3.97 a sq. ft) from Lowes.

Do I need any special saws? What kind works best?

[Felix]

Hubby knows how,he's not home now.Will see if he has advice for you when he gets home,if im too late in getting back to you,good luck with it!

[Corinna]

If you can wait until to night I will have Dugans dad post thats what he does for a living . We have our own company it is just one part we do all hard woods also. He just left for work so it will be several hours be fore he can get back . I'll leave him a note to check this thread.

[mruffruff]

No rush! I still have to buy the stuff. The sale lasts until Sunday.

Thanks, everyone. I feel a little more confident that I can actually do this. I didn't want to , but good installers are hard to find. If I can build a fence, put in a new kitchen and pour a sidewalk, I guess I can try this.

[lizbud]

No rush! I still have to buy the stuff. The sale lasts until Sunday.

Thanks, everyone. I feel a little more confident that I can actually do this. I didn't want to , but good installers are hard to find. If I can build a fence, put in a new kitchen and pour a sidewalk, I guess I can try this.

Wow, I am very impressed. I wish I had developed those skills too.
Best of luck with the installation.

[king2005]

it was the "floating" laminate that already had the padding attached to it.

Thats the same stuff my Landloard put in my new apt. However its freaky to walk on a low spot hehe Its on a basement floor so its not perfect, but its quite soft on the feet

[DugansDad]

I have done hardwood flooring for 23 years and own my own business. Have laid many thousands of square feet of "laminate' flooring. You can cut it with a 'skil saw' or jig saw but cut it from the back side as not to chip or splinter face side. Also does the flooring have an actual wood surface, backed with wood (as in plywood) or is it a masonite with an oak (or other species) paper or laminate face? They chip easier. If you want more info, PM me with your contact number or I can give you mine.

God's Country Hardwood Flooring

[Felix]

My hubby said that you cannot start in the middle,you have to start against the longest wall.He used a chop saw.You need a block to knock each piece into place.

Hope this helps!

[Logan]

Lady's Human, my only complaint about the laminate from Sam's club is that it is quite slippery, even more so than the Pergo flooring we have in our kitchen, which is a bit slippery, too. So far no dogs have wiped out on it, though. We do have an area rug in the center of our room that helps.

Good luck, Mary. I'm quite impressed that you are going to tackle this yourself. Get a set of knee pads to give you some padding. They saved Scott's knees when he was installing the floor.

Logan