10
votes
Accepted
Should I install baseboards before or after laminate flooring?
Baseboards should be installed after laminate.
Most (all?) Laminate is a floating flooring system which means it doesn't actually attach to the subfloor (friction holds it in place once all the ...
- 1,069
6
votes
Accepted
How should I complete the installation of my flooring where a gap remains against the wall?
I ended up ripping the laminate boards lengthwise using my jigsaw and fitting them in like Jim suggested. I used some cardboard to cut out the shape that the long pieces should be and then drew across ...
- 135
6
votes
Accepted
Cutting already installed tile?
You're going to need two tools to do this and two specialty blades. A diamond cut-off disc to make the majority of the cut attached to a grinder. And you'll need a diamond (if available) or carbide-...
- 6,204
5
votes
Laminate flooring without molding?
There are many different types of moldings you can install that are around 1/2" thick that you can glue. Pine would glue down fine on metal (might require doing it in sections so you can keep ...
- 47.1k
5
votes
Accepted
How do I stop my island from sliding across the floor?
There are a few options... You can remove the non-marring plastic feet provided by Ikea, and replace them with some rubber nail or screw on feet, or you can get rubber "caster cups" that the existing ...
- 27.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Transition from wood laminate to concrete 3/8" down
Your run-of-the-mill reducer should do the job. This type usually comes with a steel channel that you'd anchor to the concrete, then you simply tap the piece in place.
- 115k
5
votes
Accepted
Laminate floor against fireplace brick
I would rent an "undercut saw" and put a diamond blade in it. Cut a channel along the floor at a suitable height. Brick cuts fairly easily and you'll have a dead-straight, perfect fit to ...
- 115k
4
votes
Accepted
Do I need to cut under door jambs when installing laminate flooring?
You don't have to, but there's not a great alternative to prevent gaps from showing. An "undercut saw" can be rented cheaply at your local tool rental shop. It's basically a circular saw with the ...
- 115k
4
votes
Accepted
Where pipes and wires are usually placed under door frames?
I note that you asked for the Netherlands.
Usually wires run vertical in the walls, but sometimes they can run under an angle too. Same thing for ceilings, they run parallel to the wall, but not ...
- 15.2k
4
votes
Accepted
How can I fill floor gaps near the door and gaps in parquet units?
You've shown us two different things. The first is poor workpersonship. Jambs should be undercut to allow flooring to slide underneath, and flooring planks should extend further under transitions.
...
- 115k
3
votes
Accepted
Jigsaw cuts crooked when trying to rip enginered wood
You are, IME, IMHO, using the wrong tool, definitely.
A (sharp) hand ripsaw would be preferable.
A circular saw would be preferable.
A bandsaw would be preferable.
A tablesaw would be ideal
...but ...
- 166k
3
votes
Accepted
reuse laminate flooring?
As long as the boards come apart without damaging them, and appear to be in good condition with no water damage, sure!
- 12.4k
3
votes
Can houseplants actually improve air quality?
I would do both plants and an air filter. You can purchase a reasonable sized air filter for $89 on Amazon (Honeywell 17000-S QuietCare True HEPA Air Purifier, 200 sq ft) that does a pretty good job ...
- 31
3
votes
How can I install T molding on concrete subflooring?
I know this is an old question, but here's what I did:
(1) drill holes in the concrete. Yes, this is a PITA, but with the right bit it is not too bad. The holes do not need to be huge, nor do they ...
- 131
3
votes
Accepted
Any tricks to extend laminate floor without having to re-lay the whole floor?
Well you are lucky because of those patio doors. What do I expect to see by patio doors - TILE!
So:
Go out and find some faux travertine (or the real stuff) tile. It looks like you need some 12"...
- 47.1k
3
votes
Accepted
What's the best way to level this basement floor?
My family remodeled and has dealt with old and new layers of cement. I suggest the following plan based on our educated, though non-professional experience.
Leveling Old Cement Floor
Preperation
If ...
- 154
3
votes
Accepted
No More Nails adhesive on PVA primed drywall?
I wouldn't try to primarily use any adhesive for this, it would be better to use a brad nailer. This will be easier, faster and stronger (and cheaper, if you already have or don't count the cost of ...
- 28.6k
3
votes
Accepted
What's behind laminate flooring AC rating
I've managed to find a table by one manufacturer (Kaindl) that has some actual data.
Basically AC3 vs AC4 comes down to twice the resistance before IP is reached in a Taber test, which uses ...
- 715
3
votes
How much weight can a floating floor tolerate?
Let's not reinvent the wheel here. No need to lubricate your floor. The key is that every room should allow movement on both axes. You wouldn't want to pin the flooring under cabinets because they're ...
- 115k
3
votes
pick thickness of the engineered wood planks
Underlayment doesn't settle or compress appreciably, and you usually won't find varying thicknesses of your particular choice of flooring. You'd have to change brands to change thickness.
Unless you ...
- 115k
3
votes
How should I complete the installation of my flooring where a gap remains against the wall?
This is a floating floor, when you rip the pieces and install them they will be partly covered by the mouldings. This is the normal way to install this type of flooring.
- 101k
3
votes
Accepted
how better to cut laminate planks -- with saws or laminate cutter
I do not use a laminate cutter. For some laminates I am able to score with a razor knife and a straight edge and then snap, for others I use a miter saw for cross cuts, a table saw for ripping ...
- 13.4k
3
votes
Accepted
I am installing laminate flooring over the course of several days. Do I need to use the standard 48 hour acclimitization period?
The "48 hour" timeline assumes the flooring cartons are laid out to "acclimate", with air only getting above the cartons.
Get air underneath them. Take your first day or two's worth of packages ...
3
votes
How to cut the correct angle on transition strips
Firstly, note that the cuts on two adjoining pieces should have the same angle, but in the opposite direction. Failure to do this will result in something like you've shown us here, with points ...
- 115k
3
votes
Best way to fill gaps between flooring panels evenly
I'd strongly recommend talking to the landlord to see if he will fix the improperly installed laminate flooring.
If he refuses, but gives you permission (I'd get it in writing, just to be sure) to ...
- 37.1k
3
votes
When installing two layers of subfloor, is it okay to secure both layers to joists?
That's the usual approach. Almost no one puts down double-thick subfloor in residential applications (for cost and handling reasons), and both layers need to be fastened to joists. Only thin ...
- 115k
3
votes
Engineered wood vs. Laminated wood for living room and kitchen floors
Engineered wood, even it's more expansive. The choice is simple:
Life expectancy
This is one of the most significant differences between the two flooring options. In very general terms when you buy a ...
- 3,332
3
votes
Accepted
How to raise floor to 5cm?
Since you have not mentioned any major failure of the existing floor, any of the thin floor options are best served by "put on top of the old floor" (which is roughly the same level for thin ...
- 166k
2
votes
Accepted
Determine depth of laminate flooring
Laminate floors have a gap around the edges for expansion, which is covered by quarter round or a baseboard. You can gently remove a short run of quarter round or baseboards and measure the laminate ...
- 15.6k
2
votes
reuse laminate flooring?
I think you are setting yourself up for a lot of grief.
Caveats in what you are doing:
There are going to be losses. Some are already worn, some are chipped. Some will have edges and corners break ...
- 3,338
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible