Laminent Flooring Question?

Question

I am working on a room that is 19x14. This is my first time doing a laminent floor. I am about 40% done when I realize I don't know what I am doing, after researching I found out that I am doing it all wrong. I didn't leave any expansion space and I didn't remove the trim arround the edges of the room. I did lay the waterproof plastic down and cleaned the baseboard very well. My question. I also found out that I should not be nailing the flooring down. I read somwhere that I should let it float. So two questions.

What happens to a house / floor si you don't leave expansion space.

what happens if you nail the laminant flooring down?

Thanks

I am a bigtime rookie at this and I think I really messed up

scooby said that I should leave some space and do the quarter round. That is a great idea. I tried pulling one peice up that I have already done but the laminent flooring is noticed in such a way that I cant get it to come up.

I am nailing it at an angle on female edge of the board so you can't see it.

I guess I should have been using only glue?

Should I take it all up and start again>?

Wood is Amendium

It is not the snap and groove type of floor. It is this....


http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100497049&categoryID=500577

Answer 1

If you don't leave expansion space floor could buckle cracking could also occur around nails. You do not need to remove baseboards just leave a little space from wall and attach quarter round pieces to baseboard and paint to match.

I believe your are going to have to pry it up. If it snaps together there is no need for glue or nails it really just floats on sub-floor.Don' get discouraged always good to learn something new. If some of the pieces are too badly damaged just use in closet spaces nobody sees that anyway. Remember to use backsaw to cut around door frames so laminate can slide under. Even if you have to buy some more flooring you will probably still save money by installing it yourself.

Answer 2

Unfortunatly with remoldeling sometimes the only fix is to start over. Since you've nailed it on the female side you won't have to trash the pieces you've put down. But if it were my floor I'd take it up and start all over. In an ideal world you should take up the baseboard, leave an eigth to a quarter all the way around and start laying the laminate all over again. There is no need to nail it down, most of the laminate that I have used is designed to float anyways. Laminate just like anything else expands and retracts depending on humidity and temperature. That is why you should never nail it down. Only nail down flooring that is designed to be nailed down.

But don't loose heart, we all have to start somewhere. I work for a general Contractor, and no one is born an expert on remoldeling. In fact I think it is much harder than new construction. So if you're only 40% done, I'd say go ahead and start on a clean slate, it will turn out better and last longer.

Answer 3

if adequate clearance is not left between the new floor and base board the new floor will buckle. yes small finish nails will fix this but it is a band aid rather than the solution..if the flooring is snap lock simply pull it all back up and start over..the nail holes should not show and any burrs left can be trimmed with a knife, file, or sandpaper if the flooring wasn't face nailed.. generally a 1/4 to 3/8 space is more than enough for the floor to float and with the base board removed there is no additional trim to purchase..plus it is already cut and mitered..you will have to touch up and fill nail holes

Answer 4

where are you nailing it? on the perimeter? Laminate flooring is very dense and stable, thus should not buckle. However you want to leave a quarter inch gape between the flooring and the baseboard and like scooby said run three quarter round or base shoe. Stop nailing..

Answer 5

in both cases your floor will buckle.also you dont have to remove your base boards just leave a space and cover it with quater round or shue molding.sonds like you need to start over or hire a pro which i am if you live near nashville e mail me ill do it 4 you also unless you have the old stuff from 5 or 6 yrs ago no need to glue it either

Answer 6

Laminate flooring is designed to be a floating floor---you just click two pieces together and lay it down onto the floor. I would suggest hiring a professional, licensed installer/company to do it, because if you don't, any warranties from the company / manufacturer will be null and void if you do it.