I am looking at installing a floating laminate floor in my house and would like any input on which type of flooring would be best since there are so many options. (ex: thickness, brand, COST, ease of installation, underlayment already attached vs laying underlayment, type of wood, etc...) I want the floor to look nice but I don't want to break the bank either. Any help and/or tips from someone who has installlation experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
The big problem with these type of floors is if you get any water on them they are ruined. The edges swell up and curl and look a real mess. I would never use these types of floors because they are so easily destroyed.
We have had a laminate floor in our kitchen for around ten years.It is easy to install,all you need is a saw ,hammer ,ruler.Just basic tools .Leave 1/4 gap next to all walls to allow for expansion.Most laminate flooring snaps together,use a block of wood to knock the pieces together on the ends.stagger each run to make floor stronger.
Mr. Obvious and Big Fella are right on. the only thin I would add is get your floors as flat/level as possible. Depending on the brand and type, most do not like bumps/dips greater that 1/8 over 8-10'. Have used both Pergo and Kronotex (30 yr with underlayment and 10 yr with UL separate) and liked the results I got with both of them (caught the kronotex on clearance for $0.33/sq ft). With a good vapor barrier @ the foundation, (always get a moisture test before you start) and a level floor only the person installing it can make it look bad.
I used the snap together flooring with the padding on the back, But I did use Water Proof wood glue along the grooves, that way if they do get wet you would have time to dry it, You just can't flood the floor when you mop, a damp mop is all you need, they do have a durable finish, just make sure you leave a gap around the walls and nail the base board/ trim into the wall and not into the floor. a nail gun 18 guage works great for this. and make sure the flooring sits in the room for 2 days before you use is, because it has to adjust to the room's heat and moisture, what is really nice is that you can level your floor any way you want and the new floor will cover all the ugly stuff under neath. I had 3 drop in the corner of the kitchen (old farm house) and screwed board in it to raise it and covered that with thin underlay wood,
