laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount

gdub · 01-04-2008, 03:44 AM

I recently finished installing laminate floor on the second floor. Now i need to install a new railing system where the second floor hallway looks over the foyer. Currently the laminate floor ends flush at the drop off. The edge is has not been finished/affixed yet, so those edge panels can still be removed if necessary.

Since the laminate is placed only on a 3'-6" wide hallway, should i still worry about the laminate expanding? The reason i ask is because i would like to mount the newels and shoerail ontop of the laminate for a cleaner look, compared to mounting the newels and shoerail on the subfloor and cutting the laminate to fit around it.

Below is a pic so you can get a better idea of the space. See rendering 1 and rendering 2. Ignore the glass and wood base. That does not exist. This pic was from my initial plan that fell through. My only option is to take a traditional railing system route now

mike costello · 01-04-2008, 08:31 AM

Take the planks out and put the posts on the floor.

The railing is gont to outlast the floor anyway.

Nice house

oldfrt · 01-04-2008, 12:14 PM

Maybe you can dado out enough material at the bottom of the newel post to allow the laminate some" give room "while hiding the space left for expansion.Say about 1/2",and leave the floor about 1/4" away.As far as the shoe rail,install it on top of the floor with adhesive.It may move a little with any expansion,but probably won't be noticeable.Or do a 2-step shoe.One narrower than the other with the same idea as the dadoed newel post.Nail the first piece to the original floor,run the laminate,and then finish with the finished shoe overhanging the edge to cover the expansion space.

Floorwizard · 01-04-2008, 12:31 PM

There are many types of railings so there can be many types of solutions that may fit into manufacturer recommendations to leave expansion.

Or you can try to drill thru the lam and screw thru the lam into the subfloor and see if it buckles in time.
If it does, then you have replacement planks?

gdub · 01-04-2008, 03:42 PM

Thanks for all your input guys. Good to hear others' perspectives. I like oldfrt's suggestion. I'll consider that one. I'll post pics when im done.

01-04-2008, 03:44 AM	#1
gdub Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount I recently finished installing laminate floor on the second floor. Now i need to install a new railing system where the second floor hallway looks over the foyer. Currently the laminate floor ends flush at the drop off. The edge is has not been finished/affixed yet, so those edge panels can still be removed if necessary. Since the laminate is placed only on a 3'-6" wide hallway, should i still worry about the laminate expanding? The reason i ask is because i would like to mount the newels and shoerail ontop of the laminate for a cleaner look, compared to mounting the newels and shoerail on the subfloor and cutting the laminate to fit around it. Below is a pic so you can get a better idea of the space. See rendering 1 and rendering 2. Ignore the glass and wood base. That does not exist. This pic was from my initial plan that fell through. My only option is to take a traditional railing system route now

01-04-2008, 08:31 AM	#2
mike costello Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 211	laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount Take the planks out and put the posts on the floor. The railing is gont to outlast the floor anyway. Nice house

01-04-2008, 12:14 PM	#3
oldfrt Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northwest Ct. Posts: 224	laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount Maybe you can dado out enough material at the bottom of the newel post to allow the laminate some" give room "while hiding the space left for expansion.Say about 1/2",and leave the floor about 1/4" away.As far as the shoe rail,install it on top of the floor with adhesive.It may move a little with any expansion,but probably won't be noticeable.Or do a 2-step shoe.One narrower than the other with the same idea as the dadoed newel post.Nail the first piece to the original floor,run the laminate,and then finish with the finished shoe overhanging the edge to cover the expansion space.

01-04-2008, 12:31 PM	#4
Floorwizard Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Alaska! Posts: 1,522	laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount There are many types of railings so there can be many types of solutions that may fit into manufacturer recommendations to leave expansion. Or you can try to drill thru the lam and screw thru the lam into the subfloor and see if it buckles in time. If it does, then you have replacement planks?

01-04-2008, 03:42 PM	#5
gdub Newbie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount Thanks for all your input guys. Good to hear others' perspectives. I like oldfrt's suggestion. I'll consider that one. I'll post pics when im done.

laminate floor vs subfloor 4 railing mount