Anyone ever install Laminate Hardwoods in their house?

[777php]

i've heard that you need adequate spacing between the flooring and the baseboards to accomodate for contraction/expansion of the flooring during the extreme weather seasons.

 

[dcdomain]

I've been wanting to do this in a small apartment of mine. Bamboo flooring =D. Quick question though, the floor is not level and I was wondering what should be done to level it before applying the laminate flooring. I can't just pad up one end right? I keep thinking that I'll have to build some floor frame that accomodates the rise and then install the laminate and base layer on top of that...

 

[codeyf]

Just did dining room and kitchen this past weekend. Bought the "Harmonics" brand from costco. $27/box, covers just over 17sf per box. Similar pergo cost $60/box @ Lowes. Granted, the pergo had the pad "built in" on the back of the planks. But, I bought 100sf roll of pad/moisture barrier for $24 and laid that down. Costco used to also have the "isntallation kit", but I didn't see it this time. I think it came with padding, the tapping block, spacers, and couple other things.

Used a 10" mitre saw. Blade is just what came with it (Craftsman). Used a jigsaw for the funky cuts.

Sh!t looks great, will be laying down some new trim this weekend.

 

[sohcrates]

Originally posted by: codeyf
Just did dining room and kitchen this past weekend. Bought the "Harmonics" brand from costco. $27/box, covers just over 17sf per box. Similar pergo cost $60/box @ Lowes. Granted, the pergo had the pad "built in" on the back of the planks. But, I bought 100sf roll of pad/moisture barrier for $24 and laid that down. Costco used to also have the "isntallation kit", but I didn't see it this time. I think it came with padding, the tapping block, spacers, and couple other things.

Used a 10" mitre saw. Blade is just what came with it (Craftsman). Used a jigsaw for the funky cuts.

Sh!t looks great, will be laying down some new trim this weekend.

what are you using for trim? matching laminate trim or just buying oak or something and staining it?

 

[DrPizza]

Similar project for me one of these days... have a pile of laminate just like in the pics above.

Personally, I'm going to buy either quarter round or baseboard molding and stain it. I've stained enough times that I can get a fairly close match.

 

[UpGrD]

Miter saw all the way.... I'm in the middle of a 850 sq ft project. This is the 5th time I have installed laminate (2nd house) using a different manufacture each time. You do get what you pay for. But IMO even cheap laminate looks better that most carpet. Not to mention the hygiene/ allergy benefits of laminate over carpet.
This is the product I went with this time and is by far the best I have used. the looks are far better than anything I have used before (Pergo, Bruce, Quickstep ect......). At $3 a sq ft its not the cheapest but again you get what you pay for. Also do not skimp on the underlayment either. With the cheap underlayment you get that 'hollow' sound and feel. The 3mm rubberized foam works the best.

 

[sohcrates]

Update:

Worked out great!

Before: link

After: link

only problem is the patio door is rotten underneath, so i have to replace it before i can finish the second room. for $1.25 per square foot, i am very impressed!