Has anyone ever installed laminate flooring?

[pnance]

Logan, I have always had reservations about getting someone else to do work on my house. When I have had no choice, I've always been disappointed. So I've learned to do a lot of things myself. I don't think shoddy workmanship is limited to Lowes or Home Depot. I think it's a general attitude among all people to do the minimum necessary to get the job done. Craftsmanship is no longer valued as it used to be. A good job costs a little more, takes a little more time and lasts longer.

I have to agree here..we had a new water heater installed by "professionals", even paid extra because we're on propane. 3 month later it stops working...very long nightmare story later come to find out they installed a natural gas one and it pretty much burned the whole unit. According to the warrenty repairman we were lucky, had it we actually been able relight the pilot and keep it on the thing would have probably exploded!

We also installed laminate flooring in the kitchen (the locking kind). It wasn't hard, but I have to agree knee pads will be extremely useful (I didn't have any and...ouch!!). I confess to being a complete idiot when it comes to tools, but I do know my roomate used a table saw to cut ours and didn't have a problem. When we were done it looks great and much easier to maintain. I have 4 large dogs & 3 cats. Bear (he has arthritis in his back legs) has problems getting up on it sometimes, and the others have wiped out into the water bowl, but no harm done and it definately hasn't stopped them. I was a little afraid what their nails would do, but it's been in almost a year and a half and looks as good as when we installed it. I'd like to say the same about the carpet.

[mruffruff]

Well, it took 3 weeks to get the flooring but one day to wear me out!

I'm doing OK but I really don't know how to do doorways. I can get the flooring under the first door frame, but I can't figure out how to do the other side. I have cut under the frame but there isn't enough room to slide it under the cut and still snap it to the already-installed piece. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I'm going from one room to another through the doorways, so I have to work backward to the wall in the second room. In other words, I started at the top of a U and have to turn the bottom and backtrack to do the other side of the U. Fortunately it's only a short way back.

I skipped the knee pads today because I was doing a lot of demolition on an old plywood and peel-&-stick floor. My knees feel OK, but my back is crying for a nice hot shower. Which is where I'm heading right now.

More tomorrow.

[mruffruff]

I guess no one else knows how to get under door frames either. I blundered through the bedroom, sitting room and half of the hall, with 5 doorways done the best way I could. I still have 4 more doorways and a livingroom to go.

I only have one word for anyone who wants to do this big a project alone.

Don't.

You really need someone else to blame when there's a mistake made. And to remind you "Measure twice, cut once.

With all of the molding I'll have to do, I'm thinking of buying a miter saw. I always seem to need one for something and end up making do with a little wooden box. Results are not wonderful.

I really like the way the rooms look. I'll try for some pictures tomorrow.

Still need some doorway suggestions if anyone has them.

[Corinna]

Email Dugans dad he can walk you though the door ways. (this is why he gets paid well)

[Logan]

Mary, I'm dying to see your pictures! I do wish I had some doorway insight for you, but Scott struggled and cussed over this very same thing when he did ours.

I'm going to PM you with our phone number in case you want to call tonight and he might be able to walk you through it over the phone.

Good luck!

Logan

[mruffruff]

Pictures as promised. No molding yet.

[critter crazy]

oooooo.........It looks just gorgeous!!! we are going to be doing our whole house as well!! I am thinking that i will pay the price to have it professionally done!! he he he he!! i dont have much for patiance!!! but i will be doing the bathroom floors myself!! they will be tiled!! and i have done that before!! But gosh your floors look great!! i just cant wait till i can start mine!! Just waiting on my comp money from my old job!!!