[GMONEY]

Anyone had their floors done with laminate and have any problems? I have been checking in to doing mine, but have heard some people tell me they have problems with it pushing up on the edges???????? Maybe it was the installer, but just checking before I do it..

[F16 1UB]

We had laminate floors installed in a new home 8 years ago due to owning dogs and newly seeded yard. We've not had any problems with corners/ends turning. It's also warranted for 15 years. Have noticed dimples on the floor from where the couch sits so you may want to take that into consideration and place something underneath.

The worst part is whenever the dogs come in you now have little foot prints. For cleaning we use a canister sweeper and a damp mop or the latest advertized item called Swiffer or something like that. Our TV home we had Floormasters install ceramic tile in the LR to match the entry way and kitchen area.

[Boomer]

Good Morning, GMONEY,

Mr. Boomer has installed several rooms of laminate for our daughter. At our house he installed prefinished hardwood, 5" planks, tongue and groove, throughout our entire house, except for the bathrooms and laundry.

He likes doing that and, besides, he got to buy a whole bunch of power tools for that hardwood job, here at the house, 5 years ago. And he used a lot of those tools when he installed the laminate at Boomette's house. Not the pneumatic nailer though because laminate is not nailed or even glued. It floats. It clicks into place. Kind of fun to do and easy.

Laminate, hardwood, whatever, the key is the subfloor and the installation.

The subfloor must be sound and level. The floor you are talking about that pushed up at the edges -- That could be a problem with the subfloor or it could be that no room was left for expansion. Temperature and humidity changes can play havoc with an installation of hardwood or laminate if room for expansion is not left along the walls. Usually it is about 1/2 inch (the manufacturer should specify). The gap is then covered with a toe strip of quarter round at the bottom of the baseboard.

The underlayment is also important. It is a vapor barrier, deadens sound, and provides a cushion.

Well, G, that's probably more than you ever wanted to know about the installation of laminate floors and I had better get to work. Laminate floors are easy care floors and durable. Good luck.

(btw Mr. Boomer is not a professional installer.)

Boomer

[Boomer]

GMONEY,

This is Part II to my dissertation on laminate floors earlier in this thread. (I think there is also an old thread, very old, in the archives here somewhere, where I went on and on about floor installation. I can't seem to help it.)

Anyway, Mr. Boomer just arrived here in the kitchen, and I said to him, "Hey, you went over top of old vinyl when you installed the laminate in Boomette's kitchen, didn't you?"

He said he did.

So just in case you need to know about that part --

He used a screwgun, right through the old vinyl, where the floor was squeaking. He also used leveling compound in a few places.

Now, I will stop thinking about floor installation and try to move forward with my life. I have company coming tonight and I have to cook.

Bye.

Boomer

[Boomer]

Part III.

I have got to move this computer out of the kitchen. I am poaching chicken -- on the stove, not on somebody's farm -- And I keep looking in at TOTV while I am waiting for the simmer to come to an end.

Anyway, G, even though you may not be doing this installation yourself, I hope you know that if you are a retired guy, you will certainly need to "supervise" any work being done at your house. I think that is in the rules for being a retired guy. Mr. Boomer has been supervising an electrician lately. And today he has a garage door installer and a retractable screen door installer to supervise. Life can get pretty busy for a retired guy.

Bye -- again.

Boomer

[GMONEY]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Part III.

I have got to move this computer out of the kitchen. I am poaching chicken -- on the stove, not on somebody's farm -- And I keep looking in at TOTV while I am waiting for the simmer to come to an end.

Anyway, G, even though you may not be doing this installation yourself, I hope you know that if you are a retired guy, you will certainly need to "supervise" any work being done at your house. I think that is in the rules for being a retired guy. Mr. Boomer has been supervising an electrician lately. And today he has a garage door installer and a retractable screen door installer to supervise. Life can get pretty busy for a retired guy.

Bye -- again.

Boomer

it is always good to get info. I do Appreciate it alot!! I will check into it. I have talked to a few companies that do it. one new place in Buffalo Ridge next to Bonefish and one on 301 going south into Wildood on the left. Again thanks for the info from all including the PM I got..

[Mikitv]

I just put an engineered wood floor in my office at home and it is the type that floats and has an underlayment. The floor is laid on a concrete slab. When I was looking for a floor I did compare cost and looks of wood, engineered and laminate. The engineered had the best look for the money. Just my preference and to date no problems with the floor and I roll my desk chair all around on the floor.

[ditzyfitzy]

How does the laminate hold up with the dogs? I am thinking about replacing my carpet with laminate---and I also am thinking about getting a small Yorkie. Are they compatible? What happens if the puppy has an accident--does it leave a stain or does it easily wipe up?
Thanks,
Lynn

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

How does the laminate hold up with the dogs? I am thinking about replacing my carpet with laminate---and I also am thinking about getting a small Yorkie. Are they compatible? What happens if the puppy has an accident--does it leave a stain or does it easily wipe up?
Thanks,
Lynn

No problems with any liquids spilled or dogs. Never stains.

[faithfulfrank]

Originally Posted by ditzyfitzy

How does the laminate hold up with the dogs? I am thinking about replacing my carpet with laminate---and I also am thinking about getting a small Yorkie. Are they compatible? What happens if the puppy has an accident--does it leave a stain or does it easily wipe up?
Thanks,
Lynn

The Yorkie will be compatible. Actually, the long haired version will help you as it acts as a dust mop all over when walking on the floor.......

The OP states he lives in The Villages, so I will assume that the floor is concrete slab. As long as it is installed according to the manufacture's destructions, with proper barrier and cushioning, and with the proper gap around the parameter, you should have no problems. I have installed many floors of this type and have never had any issues.

Frank D.

[Sgt Mac]

We are having Paradise Flooring put down some on the 27th I will tell you
how it gos?
Da Sgt

[GMONEY]

Originally Posted by Sgt Mac

We are having Paradise Flooring put down some on the 27th I will tell you
how it gos?
Da Sgt

Please do, this is one of the places we checked with. Like to know how their work is. I have looked at a floor done by Floor Masters.

[faithfulfrank]

In my earlier post, I used the phrase "OP". That was a shortened version of "Original Poster", referring to the person who started the thread. I now realize that might have been confusing, and I apologize.

I will try not to use abbreviations, as I understand they are confusing.....it took me awhile to realize you all were talking about "The Villages" when I'd read "TV". My bad.

Thanks, Frank D.

[tony]

Would it be a great gesture if we all typed The Villages instead of TV? New posters would have no question in their mind about what we mean.

[ditzyfitzy]

Frank,
Problem with the LONG hair--is that it is mighty hot here in the summer. My previous Yorkie had the long hair--and you are right--GREAT dust-mop! NOW, does anyone have a good recommendation for someone to install laminate flooring?
Thanks again,
Lynn