[willc86]

hey guys upon watching this video

http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_install_laminate_flooring_HT_PG_FL

i have a question..1 are you not supposed to remove the baseboard?
also, for laminate flooring, I noticed they added the pad underneath. I remember going into this house and they had floating woodfloors and I couldnt stand it because I could feel the floors move as I walked...now Would these laminate floorings give me the same problem? I like the feel of the floor feeling solid. Should I perhaps every few rows nail it to the ground to ensure stability?

seeing those floating wood floors moving as I walked showed me that is definitely what I do not want

if that is so, what do you recommend? My kitchen has wood floors and it is actually really solid. doesnt move, its not bouncy etc

 

[jlhaslip]

The underlay should stop the floor from moving as you described.
The baseboards can stay in place but will require a quarter round to conceal the perimeter. If you remove the baseboard, it will cover the perimeter only if it is thicker than the allowance for movement. That video states 3/8 inch allowance, so 3/4 inch baseboard would work. Most baseboard is not that thick, hence the quarter round is more common.

 

[willc86]

thanks! I was thinking of air nailing every few rows of wood floor to give it a little more stability for the laminate floors...like every 8 rows or so more or less where the furniture would go so no nails would be seen

 

[Yodaman]

thanks! I was thinking of air nailing every few rows of wood floor to give it a little more stability for the laminate floors...like every 8 rows or so more or less where the furniture would go so no nails would be seen

Floating laminate flooring can have no nails in it. Unfortunately, whether the laminate floor has a built-in attached pad or requires one to be installed first it is going to have a little give or bounce when you step there.

I don't understand you wanting to put extra nails into your existing wood floor, because you said it is solid.

You could lay floating laminate over concrete and it would still feel a little spongy. If you don't like that feeling, you might consider another option for you new flooring. Like sand and refinish?

 

[b-boy]

I recommend pulling all the baseboard and reinstalling it. I think it gives a much cleaner look. I'm not a fan of quarter round. If your existing baseboard is beat up, take the opportunity to fix it or replace it.

I do prefer wood, but laminate makes sense in many cases. Especially if you have pets (who can really trash a wood floor). It's heavy-duty stuff, so it wears really well.

Laminate does have a different feel to it than regular wood. You will get used to it after a few weeks.

 

[mako1]

I've installed a lot of the laminate flooring that comes with the blue foam pad attached.Unfortunetly ,I can't remember the brand but it is a denser foam than what the separate underlayment is and feels solid.
I believe it's an Allure product bought at HD.I'm not a big fan of HD or some of the Allure products but this was one of Allures premium grades and has been a pretty good product.