Anyone install laminate wood floors?

[Jennasis]

I have had enough of my old, stained, smelly hallway carpet. With our three dogs and the super high traffic there, laminate is the way to go for sure. I'm going to attempt to install it this weekend (no fun since DH is on the disabled list post shoulder surgery and can't help). Does anyone have any tips? I checked out the DIY network site and frankly they weren't too helpful. I wish I could find a video showing SIMPLE steps for installation.

I bought all the special tools (tapping block, pull bar, wall spacers, saw for door jambs) and the expensive underlayment. I'm excited to get this project done but worried I'll botch it somehow.

And of course, the hallway is not a straight long rectangle. It's got funky little offshoots, so lots of cutting I suppose!

 

[BunsenH]

I've done it twice. A family room (12x14 with a 5x6 nook) and a 4x9 bathroom. I found it easy once you get rolling. The key (there's always a key!) is to pick your starting wall and visualize how the floor will flow into your offshoots. You don't want to end up with an undersized piece or an oversized gap.

Do you also have the molding to cover the gaps at the edges? Molding hides a lot of sins.

Good luck.

 

[Chicago526]

My husband did it about a month ago. Since i didn't help (he wouldn't let me) I don't have any tips, but I can tell you it took about 3x as long to do as he thought. So budget lots of extra time to get this done.

 

[SC Minnie]

We did our family room and kitchen 2 years ago. The toughest part of cutting and angles- our bar is at an odd angle as well as a bay window. If you have just a straight section it should be that hard.

The guy at Home Depot really helped me out a lot. I went one evening when they were slow and he basically gave me a personal class on how to install it.

 

[JR6ooo4]

It is not too hard. Sometimes they do not join up so easily.

DW did our tiny little powder room. it was only about 20 square feet.

you might want to invest in good kneepads. all the guys doing for a living use them. and their knees should be used to it...

Mikeeee

 

[BunsenH]

on knee pads. A must for this type of work.

 

[Jennasis]

Hmm..I had heard kneepads were a no-no as you could get a piece of dirt or sand under it and scratch the floor?

You guys give me hope that I might actually be able to do this!