62scotty
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Post by 62scotty on Apr 7, 2016 13:30:57 GMT -8
Hi Everyone, Just a couple quick questions: When installing laminate flooring, i know a common concern is the floor expanding and shrinking with the seasons. Which is why laminate is typically allowed to float. Well, I'm halfway done installing the laminate and I'm realizing that the bed, dinette and kitchen cabinet(all of which are built but not installed) will all be resting on top of and will most likely need to be toe nailed into the floor somehow. Should i install all cabinets, dinette and bed first and then install the laminate around those or am i safe toe nailing/screwing things into the floor? This is where we are at:  |
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trotwood56
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Post by trotwood56 on Apr 7, 2016 14:22:34 GMT -8
Most laminate flooring shouldn't really shrink and expand much during seasonal change, not like wood flooring does. The flooring does expand from hot or cold or moister, the plywood floor and wood frame of your camper will change very slightly with the seasons, I wouldn't worry about it.
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 7, 2016 14:30:57 GMT -8
I would be more interested in the long term resistance to humidity when using laminate. A better option might have been a wood-look vinyl, but I know many use laminate in campers with no reported issues. If you have a good vapor barrier and keep the windows open while camping, I guess it would be fine.
BTW, you're definitely going to want to secure your cabinets to the floor and wall joists with good quality screws. They help hold the whole camper together. I just put mine mostly back together from pieces and it was pretty flimsy feeling until I made those final connections.
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Post by vikx on Apr 7, 2016 21:33:53 GMT -8
I usually install the dinette boxes, bed, K cabinet and closet AFTER vinyl floor but BEFORE laminate. My laminate doesn't have a huge gap at the edges, but there is some leeway. Usually the planks are secured with metal strips at each end of the flooring. Seems counter productive, but I do anchor the laminate, while leaving at least an 1/8 gap at the sides. 1/4 round covers really well, that or tasteful caulking.
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Post by universalexports on Apr 11, 2016 17:36:24 GMT -8
Laminate will shrink and expand a bit, my guess is that is why trailers have smaller squares, 9x9, so with more squares you have more small gaps between them so when they shrink the gaps dont enlarge alot since there are so many of them.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Apr 11, 2016 22:30:42 GMT -8
Laminate will shrink and expand a bit, my guess is that is why trailers have smaller squares, 9x9, so with more squares you have more small gaps between them so when they shrink the gaps dont enlarge alot since there are so many of them. Good theory but vintage trailers have 9x9 tiles because that was a standard tile size then. I own a house that was built sometime before 1963 and it had 9x9 tiles, also. 9x9 vintage tiles are almost ALWAYS contain asbestos even if they say vinyl, plastic, or asphalt. The industry quit using that size when when asbestos flooring was banned, and 12 x 12 became the modern standard supposedly to help distinguish between the old asbestos flooring. |
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Post by vintagebruce on Apr 12, 2016 8:30:36 GMT -8
I would do as vikx suggests and float the laminate just where it is visible outside the cabinetry, edging with quarter round and put down a nice contrasting vinyl inside the cabinetry securing zone right up to the outside edge, if you want laminate flooring where you walk. Unless you have a "drop floor" in your scotty and then I suggest going with quality wood grain look vinyl throughout.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 12, 2016 12:56:01 GMT -8
My opinion... Laminate flooring is junk. It's made from waste product and will deteriorate quickly once wet. I wouldn't put it in my house much less my trailer. I worked flood damage and mold remediation for 7 years and every laminate floor that got wet dissolved.
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Post by danrhodes on Apr 12, 2016 13:48:58 GMT -8
My opinion... Laminate flooring is junk. It's made from waste product and will deteriorate quickly once wet. I wouldn't put it in my house much less my trailer. I worked flood damage and mold remediation for 7 years and every laminate floor that got wet dissolved. My brother and I each put decent quality laminate that was approved for moist areas in a duplex we shared. He put it in the kitchen also, while I used porcelain tile. It only took one dishwasher accident to destroy the whole floor. I'd be very worried about moisture that could potentially get into the edges, even wicking up between the walls and floor. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2016 14:06:09 GMT -8
My opinion... Laminate flooring is junk. It's made from waste product and will deteriorate quickly once wet. I wouldn't put it in my house much less my trailer. I worked flood damage and mold remediation for 7 years and every laminate floor that got wet dissolved. My brother and I each put decent quality laminate that was approved for moist areas in a duplex we shared. He put it in the kitchen also, while I used porcelain tile. It only took one dishwasher accident to destroy the whole floor. I'd be very worried about moisture that could potentially get into the edges, even wicking up between the walls and floor. It's interesting, that's what I was worried about with the laminate, kind of seems like cardboard.. the Allure floating floor was the easiest I decided on for the installation and low maintanance. The kind I got has no sticky edges but interlocks for a good seal to water. And if I ever need to repair something with the floor below, I can just remove the allure and do what I need to do. Hope that doesn't happen but hey you never know. It looks great too, I think. |
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Post by vikx on Apr 12, 2016 20:07:50 GMT -8
That's one reason to float laminate. Easy to replace...
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