Laminate floor questions-brands, etc.

[Simba's Mom]

I tried search, but it didn't really address my questions. When you lay laminate floor, do you need to take up the baseboard and have it relaid? That sounds like a big pain, and since we have custom, wide baseboards, it wouldn't be an easy job. But the alternative is ceramic tile, and we already have ceramic tile (badly cracked), which would have to be removed, at great cost and severe messiness. With laminate, we at least avoid the messy removal. If we do go with that, what brands do people like? Has anyone heard of Witex? That one seemed to have some nice looking options, as did Wilsonart Classic. I've heard that laminate warps if exposed to water. About once a month DS arrives with his little Shih Tzuh, whom I swear will never be potty trained, so leaves us little puddles everywhere. How damaging would this be? But I'm mostly concerned about that baseboard problem. Is that true? Any info would help. Thanks.

 

[Kae]

If you do not take the baseboards off you have to use quarter round, where the flooring meets the baseboard. Because it is a floating floor it does not go all the way to the baseboard. Does that make sense? As for the little visitor just mop it up as quick as you can, if the accidents are only at night have him sleep with DS.

Kae

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Removing the baseboard is a matter of personal choice. Some do, some don't. You can remove it and replace it so it helps hide the 1/4" expansion space, or leave it and attach the quarter round which will cover the expansion space. If you do remove it, be sure to be extra careful, since it's not always easy to remove molding without breaking it.

The potential of water damage is a question I always get (yes, I'm in flooring sales). Several gallons getting on the floor and allowing to set for a long period will damage the floor, but the seams will hold up to small amounts like pet accidents that are attended to quickly. Laminate flooring these days is the glueless snap together variety. I've seen -- and done -- demonstrations where a small amount of water is poured on the seam of two planks and allowed to set for 30-45 minutes or more. After the water was wiped away, the planks were taken apart to show that the water didn't get through, even to the core.

I've heard of Witex, but I'm not familiar enough with that brand to give an opinion about their quality. I'm not that familiar with Wilsonart, either, but I've heard generally good opinions about their product from others.

 

[RNMOM]

Yes, quarter round is the best way to go. They make it to match the flooring but if your baseboard is painted you might want to do that to match.

As for the puddles, If you get the water/moisture up quickly there is no problem. It is only a problem if it sits on there and leaks into the spaces between the planks then it can raise the laminate. I have throw rugs in front of my refridgerator with the in-the-door ice and water dispenser. Occassionally an ice cube will fly about and we are careful to fetch it.

As for the not potty trained dog....I would get doggie diapers for it. I really would insist it wear them when at my house. They make them for males and females.

 

[CEDmom]

We had Pergo in our old house. We had standard molding with the 1/4" bottom trim. The installers had to take off the 1/4" trim but left the other molding intact. They installed new 1/4" trim as part of their fee.

 

[TiggerStac]

we took all of our moldings out. The floor is at a different height now than it use to be..so there would have been a gap if we didn't. Luckily, we replaced them, instead of having to be careful taking them off.

 

[Chris2597]

We are looking at Shaw flooring. I have dh convinced to do the entry, formal living/formal dining room. I want to do the kitchen eating area and kitchen but he is not convinced it is the best thing for any area that might have water sippage. Also....he is worried that the flooring will make it difficult to remove the dishwasher if necessary as the flooring will be higher than the opening to get the dishwasher out. I think i am going to get 2 pieces of the laminate and do the water test to show him the durability.